While living in Italy with her family as a teen, Tate became an actress and appeared as an extra in several films. She moved to Los Angeles when she was 19 and signed a seven-year deal with film and TV producer Martin Ransohoff. She appeared in small and guest roles in TV shows including The Beverly Hillbillies and Mister Ed, then landed her first lead role in the 1966 horror movie Eye of the Devil. Ransonhoff introduced Tate to Polanski, who then hired her to star in his horror comedy The Fearless Vampire Killers, in which Polanski costarred as her love interest. They began dating and she moved in with Polanski at his London home after filming wrapped.
