Myrtle Gonzalez: The First Latina Movie Star

Myrtle Gonzalez was an American actress who starred in at least 78 silent films from 1913 to 1917. She is regarded as the first Latina movie star and one of the pioneers of early cinema. In this blog post, we will explore her life, career, and legacy.

Early Life and Career

Myrtle Gonzalez was born on September 28, 1891, in Los Angeles, California, to Manuel George Gonzalez and Lillian L. Cook. Her father was a Mexican-American grocer, and her mother was a former opera singer and popular singer of Irish descent. Myrtle inherited her musical talent from her mother and performed at many concerts as a child. She also acted on stage with famous actresses like Fanny Davenport and Florence Stone.

Myrtle married James Parks Jones, a fellow actor, in 1910 and had a son with him, James Parks Jones Jr. They divorced in 1913, and Myrtle began her film career with Vitagraph Studios. She quickly rose to fame as a leading lady, often playing strong and adventurous heroines. She worked with prominent directors and actors like William Desmond Taylor, William Duncan, and Harry Myers. She also appeared in some of the first feature-length films, such as The Chalice of Courage (1915) and A Romance of Billy Goat Hill (1916).

Personal Life and Death

In 1917, Myrtle married Allen Watt, an actor and director who worked at Universal Studios. She retired from the screen and moved with him to Camp Lewis, Washington, where he was stationed as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War I. However, Myrtle’s health deteriorated due to a heart ailment and the cold climate. She returned to Los Angeles with her husband, who resumed his work at Universal.

Myrtle Gonzalez died on October 22, 1918, at the age of 27, from influenza and heart failure. She was buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Her husband remarried in 1920 and died in 1944. Her son became a lawyer and died in 1970.

Legacy and Recognition

Myrtle Gonzalez is remembered as one of the first and most successful Latina actresses in Hollywood history. She broke stereotypes and barriers for women and people of color in the film industry. She was praised for her beauty, charm, and versatility. She influenced later generations of Latina stars like Dolores Del Rio, Lupe Velez, and Rita Hayworth.

Myrtle Gonzalez was honored with a Google Doodle on January 28, 2021, on the occasion of her 129th birthday. She was also featured in a documentary called Latinas in Hollywood (2000) and a book called The First Female Stars: Women of the Silent Era (2007).

Conclusion and FAQ

Myrtle Gonzalez was a trailblazer and a star who left a lasting mark on the history of cinema. She was the first Latina movie star and one of the most popular actresses of the silent era. She died young, but her legacy lives on.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Myrtle Gonzalez:

– Q: How many movies did Myrtle Gonzalez make?
Myrtle Gonzalez made at least 78 movies, of which 66 were one- and two-reel shorts and 12 were feature-length films.

– Q: What was Myrtle Gonzalez’s ethnicity?
Myrtle Gonzalez was of mixed ethnicity. Her father was a Mexican-American, and her mother was of Irish descent.

– Q: How did Myrtle Gonzalez die?
Myrtle Gonzalez died from influenza and heart failure on October 22, 1918, at the age of 27.

– Q: Where can I watch Myrtle Gonzalez’s movies?
Unfortunately, most of Myrtle Gonzalez’s movies are lost or unavailable. Only a few of them have been preserved or restored by film archives and museums. You can find some of them on [YouTube](^2^) or [Internet Archive](^3^).
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Source: 
(1) Myrtle Gonzalez – IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0327762/.
(2) Who is Myrtle Gonzalez? Google celebrates Mexican American actress. https://www.newsweek.com/google-doodle-silent-film-star-myrtle-gonzalez-1761610.
(3) Myrtle Gonzalez – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtle_Gonzalez.
(4) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrtle_Gonzalez.