Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth
source
Name	Rita Hayworth
Birth date	October 17, 1918
Birth place	Brooklyn, New York, United States
Death date	May 14, 1987
Death place	New York City, New York, United States
Occupation	Actress, dancer, model
Years active	1931-1972
Spouse	Edward Judson, Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, Dick Haymes
Children	Yasmin Khan, Rebecca Welles

Rita Hayworth was a renowned American actress, dancer, and model who rose to fame during the 1930s and 1940s, starring in notable films such as Gilda alongside Glenn Ford and The Lady from Shanghai with Orson Welles. Her career was marked by collaborations with prominent directors like Howard Hawks and Charles Vidor, as well as performances with famous actors including Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. Hayworth's personal life was also highly publicized, with marriages to notable figures like Prince Aly Khan and Dick Haymes. Her life and career were closely tied to the Hollywood film industry, with connections to studios like Columbia Pictures and RKO Pictures.

Early Life and Career

Rita Hayworth was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a family of performers, including her father, Eduardo Cansino, a Spanish dancer, and her mother, Volga Hayworth, a Ziegfeld Follies performer. She began her career as a dancer, performing with her father's troupe, The Dancing Cansinos, and later with the Earl Carroll Vanities. Hayworth's early film career included appearances in films like Dante's Inferno and Under the Pampas Moon, which led to her signing with 20th Century Fox in 1937. She worked with notable actors like Tyrone Power and Don Ameche, and was influenced by the work of Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo.

Film Career

Hayworth's film career spanned over three decades, with notable performances in films like Blood and Sand with Tyrone Power and Linda Darnell, and Cover Girl alongside Gene Kelly and Phil Silvers. She worked with prominent directors like Billy Wilder and Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and appeared in films like The Strawberry Blonde and Affair in Trinidad with Glenn Ford. Hayworth's collaborations with Columbia Pictures led to her becoming one of the studio's most popular stars, alongside Jean Arthur and Rosalind Russell. Her film career was also marked by performances in Pal Joey with Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak, and Separate Tables with David Niven and Deborah Kerr.

Personal Life

Hayworth's personal life was highly publicized, with five marriages to notable figures like Edward Judson, Orson Welles, Prince Aly Khan, Dick Haymes, and James Hill. Her relationships with these men were often tumultuous, with her marriage to Orson Welles ending in divorce in 1948. Hayworth's children, Yasmin Khan and Rebecca Welles, were also subject to media attention, with Yasmin Khan becoming a model and Rebecca Welles pursuing a career in Hollywood. Hayworth's personal struggles, including her struggles with Alzheimer's disease, were also well-documented, with her condition being diagnosed in the 1970s.

Later Life and Death

In her later years, Hayworth continued to act, appearing in films like The Money Trap with Glenn Ford and Elke Sommer, and The Naked Zoo with Stella Stevens. However, her struggles with Alzheimer's disease began to take a toll on her career, and she eventually retired from acting in the 1970s. Hayworth passed away on May 14, 1987, at the age of 68, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. Her death was mourned by the Hollywood community, with tributes from notable figures like Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.

Legacy

Rita Hayworth's legacy as a Hollywood star continues to endure, with her performances in films like Gilda and The Lady from Shanghai remaining iconic. Her influence can be seen in the work of later actresses like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, who were inspired by Hayworth's style and charisma. Hayworth's contributions to the film noir genre, as well as her work in musical comedy films, have been recognized by film historians and critics, including Roger Ebert and Pauline Kael. Her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is a testament to her enduring legacy, and her films continue to be celebrated by audiences around the world, including fans of Turner Classic Movies and the American Film Institute. Category:American actresses