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September 12, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Actress

Sharon Tate

Sharon Tate was an American actress and model best known for her work in 1960s film and television, including *Valley of the Dolls*.

Updated September 12, 20261 min readCited sources

Sharon Tate was an American actress and model best known for her 1960s film roles, especially *Valley of the Dolls*. She was murdered in 1969 while more than eight months pregnant, in a crime that became a landmark in American crime history.

Who she was

Sharon Tate was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1943. She began her public career as a model before moving into television and film. In 1968 she married film director Roman Polanski. At the time of her death she was pregnant with their first child.

Film career

Tate appeared in several films during the 1960s, with *Valley of the Dolls* (1967) becoming her best-known role. She also starred in *The Fearless Vampire Killers* and was considered a promising rising actress in Hollywood.

Murder and legacy

Tate was murdered at her Los Angeles home on August 9, 1969, along with four others. The killings were carried out by followers of Charles Manson. Her death became one of the most widely reported and historically significant murders in American entertainment history.

In short

  • Born in Dallas, Texas in 1943
  • Best known for role in *Valley of the Dolls*
  • Married to director Roman Polanski
  • Murdered by Manson followers while pregnant

Quick questions

Who was Sharon Tate?
Sharon Tate was an American actress and model known for 1960s film and television roles, especially *Valley of the Dolls*. She was also the second wife of director Roman Polanski.
How did Sharon Tate die?
She was murdered at her Los Angeles home on August 9, 1969, while more than eight months pregnant. The killing was carried out by followers of Charles Manson.
What movies was Sharon Tate in?
Her best-known film is *Valley of the Dolls* (1967). She also appeared in other 1960s films, including *The Fearless Vampire Killers*.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharon_Tate
    Supports: Birth and death dates, occupation, marriage to Roman Polanski, and general biography.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Sharon-Tate
    Supports: Biography, marriage, pregnancy at death, murder by followers of Charles Manson, and cause of death.
  3. Peoplehttps://people.com/sharon-tate-death-everything-to-know-11787492
    Supports: Pregnancy, circumstances of the murder, and identification of the victims.
  4. Golden Globeshttps://goldenglobes.com/person/sharon-tate/
    Supports: Birth information, family background, Golden Globe nomination, and murder details.
  5. Biography.comhttps://www.biography.com/crime/sharon-tate
    Supports: Career highlights, major film roles, marriage, and murder context.