Rita Hayworth
Golden Age star known for her role in *Gilda* and as a top pin-up girl during World War II.
Rita Hayworth was an American actress, dancer, and pin-up girl who rose to prominence during the 1940s as one of the most celebrated stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Over a career spanning 38 years, she appeared in 61 films. The press dubbed her “The Love Goddess” as she became the era’s most glamorous screen idol. During World War II, she ranked as the second most popular pin-up among GIs, behind Betty Grable. Her most famous performance came in the 1946 film noir *Gilda*, where she played a femme fatale opposite Glenn Ford in her first major dramatic role. Other notable films include *Only Angels Have Wings* (1939), *The Strawberry Blonde* (1941), *Blood and Sand* (1941), *The Lady from Shanghai* (1947), *Pal Joey* (1957), and *Separate Tables* (1958). She danced with Fred Astaire in *You’ll Never Get Rich* (1941) and *You Were Never Lovelier* (1942); Astaire once called her his favorite dance partner. She also starred in the Technicolor musical *Cover Girl* (1944) with Gene Kelly. The American Film Institute ranked her among the top 25 female motion picture stars of all time. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. In 1980, Hayworth was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which contributed to her death in 1987 at age 68. Her public disclosure of the illness drew attention to Alzheimer’s and helped increase funding for research.
- born
- October 17, 1918
- died
- May 14, 1987
- field
- Actress, dancer, pin-up girl
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Performance in Gilda (1946); films with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly; being a top pin-up girl during World War II
Lore & Background
Rita Hayworth was an American actress, dancer, and pin-up girl who rose to prominence during the 1940s as one of the most glamorous screen idols of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The press dubbed her “The Love Goddess,” and she became the second most popular pin-up girl for American soldiers during World War II, behind only Betty Grable. She appeared in 61 films over 38 years. Her defining performance came in the 1946 film noir *Gilda*, where she played a femme fatale opposite Glenn Ford in her first major dramatic role. Other notable films include *Only Angels Have Wings* (1939), *The Strawberry Blonde* (1941), *Blood and Sand* (1941), *The Lady from Shanghai* (1947), *Pal Joey* (1957), and *Separate Tables* (1958). She danced with Fred Astaire in *You’ll Never Get Rich* (1941) and *You Were Never Lovelier* (1942); Astaire called her his favorite dance partner. She also starred in the Technicolor musical *Cover Girl* (1944) with Gene Kelly. The American Film Institute ranked her among the top 25 female movie stars of all time. In 1960, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1980, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which contributed to her death in 1987 at age 68. Her public disclosure of the illness helped increase awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s research.
Reader's Guide
Rita Hayworth was an American actress, dancer, and pin-up girl who rose to prominence during the 1940s as a leading figure of Hollywood's Golden Age. She appeared in 61 films over 38 years. The press called her "The Love Goddess" due to her glamorous screen presence, and she was the second most popular pin-up girl for American soldiers during World War II, after Betty Grable. Her most famous role was as a femme fatale in the 1946 film noir *Gilda*, opposite Glenn Ford, which marked her first major dramatic part. She also starred in notable films such as *Only Angels Have Wings*, *The Strawberry Blonde*, *Blood and Sand*, *The Lady from Shanghai*, *Pal Joey*, and *Separate Tables*. Fred Astaire, with whom she made two musicals, called her his favorite dance partner. She also danced with Gene Kelly in the Technicolor musical *Cover Girl*. The American Film Institute ranked her among the top 25 female movie stars of all time. In 1960, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1980, Hayworth was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which contributed to her death in 1987. The public disclosure of her illness raised awareness about Alzheimer's and helped increase funding for research into the disease.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Rita Hayworth and what was her birth name?
Rita Hayworth was an American actress, dancer, and pin-up icon born Margarita Carmen Cansino on October 17, 1918. She rose to become one of the most recognizable stars of 1940s Hollywood.
Why was Rita Hayworth called 'The Love Goddess'?
The nickname took hold after her magnetic performance in the 1946 film Gilda, where her character's bold, seductive confidence turned her into a cultural symbol of glamour. The press embraced the title, and it followed her for the rest of her career.
What was Rita Hayworth's role during World War II?
She became the second most popular pin-up girl for American GIs during the war, ranking just behind Betty Grable in circulation. Her images appeared widely in military publications to lift troop morale.
How many films did Rita Hayworth appear in over her career?
Across a 37-year career, she appeared in 61 films, working alongside major dance partners including Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Her screen work spanned from the late 1930s through the 1970s.
When did Rita Hayworth die and how old was she?
Rita Hayworth passed away on May 14, 1987, at the age of 68. Her death closed a chapter on the era of Golden Age Hollywood stardom.
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