Raquel Welch, the Hollywood sex symbol who managed to prove she could act yet was able to maintain her sensual image throughout her lengthy career, has sadly passed away on February 15th at the age of eighty-two. This striking beauty, who died after a brief illness, emerged in films during the mid 1960's as a refreshing alternative to the ice-blonde sirens who ruled the silver screen in the '50's. And while she began her career in bikinis (most notably in a fur-skin one) and tight-fitting dresses, Welch never had to suffer the indignities of being seen as sexy and dim, always appearing shrewd and witty on screen.
Born Jo Raquel Tejada in Chicago, she was one of three children of Bolivian aeronautical engineer, Armando Tejada and Josephine Hall. When she was a toddler, the family moved to San Diego, CA. As she grew up, the teenage Raquel entered and won several beauty contests including winning the title of "Miss San Diego" at the county fair. After marrying her high school sweetheart, James Welch in 1959, she attended San Diego State, enrolled in the theater arts department. Welch had two children, Damon and Tahnee in quick order, but her marriage was over by 1962, leaving her as a single mother with a family to support.
After a brief stay in Dallas, Welch went to Los Angeles to try her luck in Hollywood. She got a business manager and began pursuing roles with the studios, landing small parts in movies (including an appearance in the 1964 Elvis Presley musical, "Roustabout") and television shows. In 1965, Welch managed to secure a non-exclusive, seven-year studio contract with 20th Century-Fox. Her first leading role was in the 1966 sci-fi adventure, "Fantastic Voyage", as part of a medical team that are shrunken and injected into an injured scientist to help save his life. This was a box-office hit and made Welch a rising star.
But it was her next film that would take Welch to the next level. She appeared in "One Million Years B.C.", a fantasy film involving cavemen trying to survive in the world against dinosaurs with Welch wearing only a deer-skin bikini. This was another success, turning Welch into an international sex symbol with the help of a publicity still from the movie becoming a best-selling poster. She went on to become a major film star, appearing in "Fathom", "Bedazzled", "Banolero!", "Lady in Cement" and "100 Rifles". But Welch was largely unhappy with her screen roles, wanting more challenging opportunities and to be seen for more than her beauty and curves.
Welch's first attempt was taking on the title role of a transsexual woman in "Myra Breckinridge", an adaptation of Gore Vidal's novel, in 1970. Yet despite the fascinating cast that included director, John Huston, film critic, Rex Reed, early screen appearances by Farrah Fawcett and Tom Selleck and the return of screen comedy legend, Mae West, lured out of retirement since her last film in 1943, this outrageous comedy was not well received. Considered one of the worst films ever made, "Myra Breckinridge" has since gone on to find a cult following. But Welch persevered, going on to appear in "Bluebeard", "The Last of Sheila", "Mother, Jugs & Speed", "Kansas City Bomber", "The Three Musketeers" and "The Wild Party" with very few of them finding critical or box-office success.
Welch had been cast to star alongside Nick Nolte in "Cannery Row" in 1982 but was fired over a contract violation and replaced by Debra Winger. Welch went on to sue the studio, MGM and after a lengthy trial, finally won a ten-million dollar settlement in 1987.
But her film career had cooled down by this point, so she went to work on television, appearing in a wide range of programs including "Mork & Mindy", "Evening Shade", "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", "Spin City" and "Seinfeld". She also did several television movies including "Right to Die", a 1987 drama about a successful woman who struggles after her ALS diagnosis, earning Welch a Golden Globe nomination. Welch also appeared on stage, displaying her musical talent, first in 1981, briefly filling in for star, Lauren Bacall in the Broadway musical, "Woman of the Year" and replacing original star, Julie Andrews in "Victor/Victoria" in 1997.
After a brief stay in Dallas, Welch went to Los Angeles to try her luck in Hollywood. She got a business manager and began pursuing roles with the studios, landing small parts in movies (including an appearance in the 1964 Elvis Presley musical, "Roustabout") and television shows. In 1965, Welch managed to secure a non-exclusive, seven-year studio contract with 20th Century-Fox. Her first leading role was in the 1966 sci-fi adventure, "Fantastic Voyage", as part of a medical team that are shrunken and injected into an injured scientist to help save his life. This was a box-office hit and made Welch a rising star.
But it was her next film that would take Welch to the next level. She appeared in "One Million Years B.C.", a fantasy film involving cavemen trying to survive in the world against dinosaurs with Welch wearing only a deer-skin bikini. This was another success, turning Welch into an international sex symbol with the help of a publicity still from the movie becoming a best-selling poster. She went on to become a major film star, appearing in "Fathom", "Bedazzled", "Banolero!", "Lady in Cement" and "100 Rifles". But Welch was largely unhappy with her screen roles, wanting more challenging opportunities and to be seen for more than her beauty and curves.
Welch's first attempt was taking on the title role of a transsexual woman in "Myra Breckinridge", an adaptation of Gore Vidal's novel, in 1970. Yet despite the fascinating cast that included director, John Huston, film critic, Rex Reed, early screen appearances by Farrah Fawcett and Tom Selleck and the return of screen comedy legend, Mae West, lured out of retirement since her last film in 1943, this outrageous comedy was not well received. Considered one of the worst films ever made, "Myra Breckinridge" has since gone on to find a cult following. But Welch persevered, going on to appear in "Bluebeard", "The Last of Sheila", "Mother, Jugs & Speed", "Kansas City Bomber", "The Three Musketeers" and "The Wild Party" with very few of them finding critical or box-office success.
Welch had been cast to star alongside Nick Nolte in "Cannery Row" in 1982 but was fired over a contract violation and replaced by Debra Winger. Welch went on to sue the studio, MGM and after a lengthy trial, finally won a ten-million dollar settlement in 1987.
But her film career had cooled down by this point, so she went to work on television, appearing in a wide range of programs including "Mork & Mindy", "Evening Shade", "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", "Spin City" and "Seinfeld". She also did several television movies including "Right to Die", a 1987 drama about a successful woman who struggles after her ALS diagnosis, earning Welch a Golden Globe nomination. Welch also appeared on stage, displaying her musical talent, first in 1981, briefly filling in for star, Lauren Bacall in the Broadway musical, "Woman of the Year" and replacing original star, Julie Andrews in "Victor/Victoria" in 1997.
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