Centenary Celebration: Lupe Vélez
By Jim Linz
Maria Guadalupe Villalobos “Lupe” Vélez (July 18, 1908-December 13, 1944) , along with Doleres del Rio, and Ramon Novarro, was one of the first Mexican-born actors to find success in Hollywood.
Born in San Luis de Potosi, Mexico, Lupe took dancing lessons in her teens and made her debut on the Mexican stage in 1924 at the age of 16. Three years later, she emigrated to the United States.
Although her first American role was in a Laurel & Hardy comedy, Lupe was cast primarily in dramatic roles during her first 5 years in Hollywood.
That changed in 1933 when she was given the starring role in Hot Pepper. Lupe followed that role with three more comedies in 1934—Strictly Dynamite, Palooka, and Laughing Boy. Her comedic talents now well established, a series of Mexican Spitfire films were created to showcase those talents.
Although Lupe found success in Hollywood, her private life was not as happy. She fell in love with Gary Cooper, but he did not want to marry her. She married Johnny Weissmuller, but the marriage lasted only 5 years. After turning to drugs and alcohol, Lupe committed suicide at age 34. She was pregnant at the time of her death.
See Lupe Vélez sing “Oh Me, Oh My” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPOWRwNR4Xc
This article originally appeared in Trans-Lux volume 26, number 2, Spring 2008.
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Created Thursday, November 27, 2008; Modified Thursday, November 27, 2008.
