Estelita Rodriguez

Estelita Rodriguez (July 2, 1928 – March 12, 1966) was a Cuban actress best known for her roles in many Westerns with Roy Rogers for Republic Pictures, as well as her role in Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo.[1]

Estelita Rodriguez
Born(1928-07-02)July 2, 1928
Guanajay, Cuba
DiedMarch 12, 1966(1966-03-12) (aged 37)
Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California
NationalityCuban
OccupationActress
Years active1945-1966 (film)
Spouse(s)Chu-Chu Martinez
(m. 19??; div. 1947)
​
​
(m. 1953; div. 1955)​

Ismael Alfonso Halfss
​
​
(m. 1956; div. 1960)​

Ricardo A. Pego
​
​
(m. 1961)​
Children1

Early life and career

Rodriguez's career began in 1942 when she won a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer at the age of 14. She continued to go to MGM school in preparation to make a movie. However, MGM dropped her at the last minute, and Rodriguez went back to New York until 1945, when she signed a five-picture deal with Republic Pictures. The studio that same year cast her in her first film, Mexicana starring Tito Guízar, Constance Moore, and Leo Carrillo.[2] Although that acting opportunity made her career take a better turn, Rodriguez did not enjoy making the movie, reportedly complaining, "Everyone treats me like a kid. I am a mother." She was subsequently cast in 1945 in Along the Navajo Trail, her first Roy Rogers film, and then two years later with Rogers again in On the Old Spanish Trail.[2] Before concluding her career with Republic in 1952, she appeared in a total of nine Roy Rogers productions, as well as in other projects for the studio. Later, Rodriguez worked in a few additional films for Paramount, MGM, and Embassy Pictures, including Rio Bravo in 1959 and Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter—her final Hollywood film—in 1966.[2]

Personal life and death

During the days of her early career, Rodriguez married Mexican singer Chu-Chu Martinez; the date of their marriage is unknown. They had one child together, Nina (born 1946) and divorced in 1947. In January 1953, Rodriguez married actor Grant Withers; they divorced in 1955. Her third marriage was to Ismael Alfonso Halfss in 1956; they divorced in 1960. Her fourth and final marriage was to Dr. Ricardo A. Pego in 1961. They remained married until her death.

On March 12, 1966, Estelita Pego was found dead on the kitchen floor of her home near North Hollywood/Van Nuys, California at age 37. No autopsy was performed and her cause of death remains unknown.[3] She is interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1945Along the Navajo TrailNarita
1945MexicanaLupita
1945Vidas Solidárias
1947On the Old Spanish TrailLolita
1948The Gay RancheroConsuelo Belmonte
1948Old Los AngelesEstelita Del Rey
1949Susanna PassRita
1949The Golden StallionPepé Valdez
1950Belle of Old MexicoRosita Dominguez
1950Federal Agent at LargeLopita
1950Twilight in the SierrasLola Chavez
1950Sunset in the WestCarmelita
1950Hit Parade of 1951Chicquita
1950California PassageMaria Sanchez
1951Cuban FireballEstelita
1951In Old AmarilloPepita Martinez
1951Havana RoseEstelita DeMarco
1951Pals of the Golden WestElena Madera
1952South Pacific TrailElena Madera
1952The Fabulous SenoritaEstelita Rodriguez
1952Tropical Heat WaveEstelita
1953Tropic ZoneElena Estebar
1953Sweethearts on ParadeLolita Lamont
1959Rio BravoConsuela Robante
1966Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's DaughterJuanita Lopez(final film role)

References
  1. Boggs, Johnny D. (2011). Jesse James and the Movies. McFarland. p. 188. ISBN 978-0-7864-4788-6.
  2. "Estelita Rodriguez", filmography and respective release dates, American Film Institute (AFI), Los Angeles, California. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  3. Walter Winchell (April 11, 1966). "School Board Fears Film's Subject". Orlando Evening Star. p. 28.

Estelita Rodriguez at IMDb 

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