Rita Hayworth

Rita Hayworth
Hayworth by Bob Coburn, 1948
Born
Margarita Carmen Cansino

(1918-10-17)October 17, 1918
New York City, U.S.
DiedMay 14, 1987(1987-05-14) (aged 68)
New York City, U.S.
Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Culver City
Occupations
  • Actress
  • dancer
  • pin-up girl
Years active1931–1972
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
Edward C. Judson
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(m. 1937; div. 1942)​
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(m. 1943; div. 1947)​
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(m. 1949; div. 1953)​
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(m. 1953; div. 1955)​
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(m. 1958; div. 1961)​
Children2, including Yasmin Aga Khan
Parents
Relatives
AwardsHollywood Walk of Fame
Signature

Rita Hayworth (born Margarita Carmen Cansino; October 17, 1918 – May 14, 1987) was an American actress, dancer, and pin-up girl.[1][2][3][4][5][6] She achieved fame in the 1940s as one of the top stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood, and appeared in 61 films in total over 37 years. The press coined the term "The Love Goddess" to describe Hayworth, after she had become the most glamorous screen idol of the 1940s. She was the top pin-up girl for GIs during World War II.[7] It is also rumored she was disturbed by how her face was painted on atomic bombs during testing. America's reasoning was because, "She's a bombshell." She called for a press conference to condemn these actions but was convinced by Harry Cohn her objection would undermine her career.

Hayworth is perhaps best known for her performance in the 1946 film noir Gilda, opposite Glenn Ford, in which she played the femme fatale in her first major dramatic role. She is also known for her performances in Only Angels Have Wings (1939), The Strawberry Blonde (1941), Blood and Sand (1941), The Lady from Shanghai (1947), Pal Joey (1957), and Separate Tables (1958). Fred Astaire, with whom she made two films, You'll Never Get Rich (1941) and You Were Never Lovelier (1942), once called her his favorite dance partner. She also starred in the Technicolor musical Cover Girl (1944), with Gene Kelly. She is listed as one of the top 25 female motion picture stars of all time in the American Film Institute's survey, AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars.

For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Hayworth received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1645 Vine Street in 1960.[6]

In 1980, Hayworth was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which contributed to her death in 1987 at age 68. The public disclosure and discussion of her illness drew attention to Alzheimer's, and helped to increase public and private funding for research into the disease.

  1. ^ Krebs, Albin (May 16, 1987). "RITA HAYWORTH, MOVIES LEGEND, DIES". New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  2. ^ Cosgrove, Ben (October 2014). "Rita Hayworth: Hollywood Legend, Pinup Icon - LIFE". Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  3. ^ Cosgrove, Ben (October 1, 2014). "LIFE With Rita Hayworth: Hollywood Legend, Pinup Icon". TIME. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  4. ^ "Rita Hayworth - Biography, Movies, & Facts". Britannica. April 9, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  5. ^ "Rita Hayworth - Spouse, Gilda & Movies". Biography. April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Faris, Gerald (May 16, 1987). "Rita Hayworth - Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  7. ^ "Rita Hayworth, 68, films' 'Love Goddess'". Chicago Tribune. Associated Press. May 16, 1987. p. 8.