<i> Missing Person </i>

Back in 1975, actress Marilyn Hassett was the big discovery for her performance in “The Other Side of the Mountain” as Jill Kinmont--an Olympic skiing hopeful who was crippled in an accident. But after a handful of other dramatic roles, including “The Bell Jar” (1979), she seemed to vanish.

Now she’s back--in two low-budgeters and as Charles Bronson’s girlfriend in Cannon’s “Messenger of Death.” All are due for release later this year.

Where has she been for almost a decade?

“I walked out on a career,” she said. “I was trying to keep a failing marriage (to “Other Side” director Larry Peerce) together and couldn’t. Then there was an extremely emotional divorce, which a sea cruise or a year of therapy wasn’t going to quickly overcome. But when I finally felt strong enough to work again, a lot of people didn’t think I was serious.”

Hassett did some theater before landing the lead in the indie film “The 11th Commandment” for director Paul Leder last year.

As for her May-December part in “Messenger” (Bronson is 64; Hassett, 38): “It’s nice to be playing just an ordinary, all-American girl after a career cast as serious, emotionally disturbed or crippled people.”