Estelita Rodriguez

Biography

Estelita Rodriguez was a Cuban actress and singer who started as a teenager in nightclubs and radio before moving into films. Born in Guanajay, Cuba, she first gained notice singing and dancing with Anselmo Sacasas and his Royal Havana Orchestra in 1940, then became a radio performer in Havana. She signed with Republic Pictures in 1945 and went on to appear in nine Roy Rogers Westerns, beginning with Along the Navajo Trail. Her first starring role came in Belle of Old Mexico, followed by musical comedies such as Cuban Fireball and Havana Rose. After her Republic contract ended, she resumed nightclub work and later appeared in films for other studios, including Rio Bravo (1959) and Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966). She also made television guest appearances and formed her own production company, Caribe Cine, Ltd.

37years old at death

Born July 2, 1928Guanajay
Died March 12, 1966Van Nuys
Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22

Movie Career

Films: 3
Career span: 16 years1950 to 1966

Every film, newest first

1966Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's DaughterIMDb rating 3.5
1959Rio BravoIMDb rating 7.9
1950Twilight in the SierrasIMDb rating 6.1

Genres

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Behind the camera
Rodriguez formed her own independent production company, Caribe Cine, Ltd., and bought the screen rights to a biography of Lupe Velez while the manuscript was still in galley proofs, planning to star as Velez with author Clyde Ware writing and William Beaudine directing.
Big break
At 17, while appearing at New York's Copacabana, Rodriguez won a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. She then took the studio's regimented talent course to prepare for appearing in pictures.
A change of course
Before films, Rodriguez was a 15-year-old nightclub singer and dancer with Cuban bandleader Anselmo Sacasas and his Royal Havana Orchestra, whose popularity led Chicago's Colony Club to redecorate its entire premises with a Cuban motif.