The Brutal Manson Murder of Sharon Tate: 55 Years Later

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Actress Sharon Tate was best known for the camp-classic feature film, Valley of the Dolls, which was released in 1967.

Tate and actress Victoria Vetri became good friends while making the movie, Rosemary's Baby. On the evening of August 8 and 9, 1969, Sharon invited Victoria to her home, but Victoria was not feeling well.

On that August 9, Tate and four others died at the hands of Charles Manson's followers. What's worse, Tate was nearly nine months pregnant. Her never-born son was to be named Paul Richard Polanski, in honor of her father. Sharon's tombstone bears both Paul's name and her own.

In 2019, Tate's unbearable tale was told on screen by director Quentin Tarantino in in his movie, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood. Barbie star Margot Robbie played Tate. The "Malibu Barbie" doll was based on Sharon character in the movie, Don't Make Waves.

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the horrific Manson killings and Tate's subsequent brutal demise.

Back Story

When in high school, Sharon Tate was a cheerleader, baton twirler, star basketball player, and played Juliet in the school production of Romeo and Juliet. She was also voted Homecoming Queen and Senior Prom Queen, and had a spot on the Student Council. She also spoke fluent Italian.

In 1959 she was the winner of 5 different beauty pageants: Miss Frontier Days, Miss Richland, Miss Tri-Cities, Miss Water Follies, and Miss Auto-Rama.

In 1963, Tate was the initial choice to play Billie Jo on TV's country comedy, Petticoat Junction, but her managed, Martin Ransohoff, advised her not to take the part.

A few years later, Tate auditioned for the role of Liesl in 1965 classic movie musical, The Sound of Music. The part went to Charmian Carr (sister to actress Darlene Carr, who also appeared in the film).

In 1966, Tate starred with David Niven and Deborah Kerr in Eye of The Devil. Niven and Kerr, both veterans and acclaimed actors in their own right, praised Tate's theatrical abilities and envisioned superstardom for the young performer.

In the End

Sadly, Sharon Tate, who Rosemary's Baby star Mia Farrow once described as "sweet and pure a human being as I have ever known," never lived to see what sadly became her infamous notoriety.