Polanski the fugitive

Left: Polanski's status as one of the 20th century's greatest directors has always been overshadowed by his turbulent personal life. His second wife Sharon Tate, an actress who starred in 1967's 'Valley of the Dolls', was murdered by the Charles Manson 'family' in 1969. She was eight months pregnant at the time. Right: Susan Atkins, the woman who stabbed her, is pictured above after testifying against Manson. Atkins died last week in prison, just days before Polanski was detained by Swiss authorities following an extradition request by the United States.