Estelita Rodriguez
Encyclopedia
Estelita Rodriguez was a Cuban actress best known for her roles in many Roy Rogers
Republic
westerns, and her role in Howard Hawks' western classic Rio Bravo.
.
Her first movie was Belle of Old Mexico. Though it made her career take a better turn, Rodriguez did not enjoy making the movie, and reportedly said the following, "Everyone treats me like a kid. I am a mother." Soon after this, she starred with western favorites Roy Rogers
and Dale Evans
in Twilight in the Sierras
in 1950 and In Old Amarillo
with Rogers.
In 1952, she concluded her career with Republic in 1952, and her last film was Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter
.
In January 1953, Rodriguez married newspaper man Grant Withers, an ex-husband of Loretta Young
. John Wayne
served as the best man at the wedding. They divorced in 1955 over a long battle of Withers' sanity.
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 M. Pego was found dead on the kitchen floor of her North Hollywood / Van Nuys, California, home, at age 37. The cause of death wasn't made public. Some sources gave influenza as the cause of death.
She is interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
Republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
westerns, and her role in Howard Hawks' western classic Rio Bravo.
Early Life and Career
Estelita M. Rodriguez was born in Cuba on July 2, 1928. Her career began in 1942 when she was won a contract with MGM at the age of 15, and continued to go to MGM school in preparation to make a movie. However, MGM dropped her at the last minute, and Rodriguez traveled back to New York until 1949 when she signed a 5- picture deal with RepublicRepublic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
.
Her first movie was Belle of Old Mexico. Though it made her career take a better turn, Rodriguez did not enjoy making the movie, and reportedly said the following, "Everyone treats me like a kid. I am a mother." Soon after this, she starred with western favorites Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
and Dale Evans
Dale Evans
Dale Evans, was an American writer, movie star, and singer-songwriter. She was the third wife of singing cowboy Roy Rogers.-Early life:...
in Twilight in the Sierras
Twilight in the Sierras
Twilight in the Sierras is a 1950 American Republic Pictures film starring Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Estelita Rodriguez, Pat Brady, George Meeker, Fred Kohler, Jr. and Edward Keane.The film premiered on March 22, 1950.-Plot:...
in 1950 and In Old Amarillo
In Old Amarillo
In Old Amarillo is a 1951 American film starring Roy Rogers....
with Rogers.
In 1952, she concluded her career with Republic in 1952, and her last film was Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter
Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter is a low-budget western/horror hybrid film filmed in 1966, in which a fictionalized version of the real-life western outlaw Jesse James encounters the fictional granddaughter of the famous Dr. Frankenstein. The film was originally released as part of a...
.
Personal Life and Death
During the days of her early career, Rodriguez married Mexican singer Chu-Chu Martinez, however, the date of their marriage is unknown at this time. They had one child together, Nina (1946). They divorced in 1947.In January 1953, Rodriguez married newspaper man Grant Withers, an ex-husband of Loretta Young
Loretta Young
Loretta Young was an American actress. Starting as a child actress, she had a long and varied career in film from 1917 to 1953...
. John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
served as the best man at the wedding. They divorced in 1955 over a long battle of Withers' sanity.
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 M. Pego was found dead on the kitchen floor of her North Hollywood / Van Nuys, California, home, at age 37. The cause of death wasn't made public. Some sources gave influenza as the cause of death.
She is interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California