Margot Robbie
The chameleonic actress takes on a tragic role
AS THE 50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF the Manson murders approaches, actress Margot Robbie has unveiled a sneak peek of her as Manson Family victim Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which tells the story of the infamous killings. The image, which garnered five million Instagram likes in hours, struck a chord with fans taken by the look created by costume designer Arianne Phillips.
Robbie, 28, is proving to be quite the chameleon as she takes on real-life characters, from ice skater Tonya Harding to Queen Elizabeth I in Mary Queen of Scots and now, model and actress Sharon Tate—to whom, dressed in character, she bears a strong resemblance.
Tate, the wife of film director Roman Polanski, won beauty contests as a baby and had a nomadic childhood due to her father’s military career. Shortly after moving from Italy to Hollywood, she landed a role in the 1960s TV show The Beverly Hillbillies and starred in 1967 film Valley of the Dolls. But on Aug. 9, 1969, at age 26 and just two weeks away from giving birth to her first child, she was killed in her home—stabbed repeatedly by cult leader Charles Manson’s followers.
Tate’s older sister Debra was initially wary of the film but was appeased after being contacted by director Tarantino. “I’m pleased he reached out,” Debra told WHO. “He has done nothing but respect me and be very forthcoming.”
Debra told TMZ that if the choice of actress for the role was between Jennifer Lawrence or Robbie, she preferred the Australian. “Sharon’s look was very unique,” Debra told WHO. “Margot Robbie is a very pretty girl, there’s no doubt about that.” •