Myrtle Gonzalez, the First Latin American Movie Star was a role model for Hollywood’s early days. Myrtle was born on September 28, 1891, to Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles California. Her rise to celebrity was incredible.
Her father’s family was a Mexican-Hispanic California family that had long since colonized this area before the US got custody of it. Her mother was a former opera and famous singer the daughter of Irish immigrants. Her dad was a grocery store owner.
Who Was Myrtle Gonzalez?
The first female silver screen star who captured the hearts of audiences with her charm and talent is known as Myrtle Gonzalez. She was the first Latin model who entered the Hollywood in early days. She had incredible dramatic talent since her childhood and also had a good soprano voice that had benefited her to sing in church and also invited in local concerts.
In this blog post, we will explore the personal and professional life of Myrtle Gonzalez, her successful projects, and Google’s tribute to her honor.
Born
Myrtle Gonzalez was born on September 28, 1891, in Los Angeles, the daughter of Lillian L. Cook and Manuel George Gonzalez.
Parents
Myrtle Gonzalez’s father was a grocery store owner while her mother was a popular singer. The parental side of Myrtle was Maxican-Hespanic which had settled in that territory for a long time before the US took control of it.
Siblings
She had 2 siblings; Manuel G. Gonzalez and Stella M. Gonzalez.
Married Life of Myrtle Gonzalez
Myrtle Gonzalez was married to James Parks in 1910 but got divorced.
Her second marriage was with director/actor Allen Watt in Los Angeles on 1st December 1971. She met with Allen when he was working at Universal as assistant director.
Children
Myrtle Gonzalez had one son with her first husband James Park.
Education
No exact information about Myrtle Gonzalez’s education is available publicly. But she might likely get training in singing and acting to pursue her career as a singer and actor. She also learned dance to improve her capabilities in various forms.
Early Career
She started her career by working at Vitagraph Studio in a debut film “The Yellow Streak (1913). She also starred in another film “The Kiss” in 1914.
The peak of her Career
At the stardom of her film career, Myrtle Gonzalez starred in almost 80 blockbuster films. Some of them are The Greater Law, The End of the Rainbow and The Secret of the Swamp, Chalice of Courage and The Girl of Lost Lake, etc. Myrtle Gonzalez played various kinds of roles such as bold, outdoorsy heroines, innocent heroines, scheming villains, and action-adventure heroines. She performed stunts by herself as she was athlete-trained.
Awards and Honors
Myrtle Gonzalez passed away at the age of 27 but in such a short time duration she almost worked in films. She was awarded with posthumous Oscar for her multiple roles.
In 1919, she received a Bronze Plaque for her film “The Mexican”. In 1920, she was awarded an honorable medal for being the most beautiful Mexican woman.
Legacy of Myrtle Gonzalez
The impact of Myrtle Gonzalez is still felt today and her legacy still inspires the movie lovers and entertainment members who value her. Her impact is visible on silver screens and digital cinemas. Her ultimate death was a major loss for her fans and the film industry. She’ll be remembered for her talent, versatility in work, and beauty, and her films are still enjoyed by her fans.
Myrtle Gonzalez’s Net Worth
Although her exact net worth is unknown we can estimate it according to her popularity, success, and stardom. It is estimated that at the time of her death, her net worth was $3.75 million.
Luxurious Lifestyle
She earned $500 per week at the peak of her career. Myrtle lived a lavish lifestyle by owning expensive cars, and multiple homes and spent much money on traveling, jewelry, and clothing.
Tribute from Google
In the US, Google featured her Google Doodle on 23 Nov 2022 which is the anniversary of the release date of her film The Level.
Google Doodle illustrated the actress going on a winter hike.
Death
Myrtle Gonzalez died due to the worldwide Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 at the age of 27. However, according to Fregoso’s research, Gonzalez died due to heart failure while doing stunt riding in a photoplay as she was suffering from a heart problem for 3 years.
Conclusion
Myrtle Gonzalez was a well-known actress who silently impacted the Hollywood film industry. She faced many hurdles during her journey but remained dedicated and consistent. She will always be remembered due to her charm, bravery, and legacy that she left for the upcoming generation. Some of her movies have been preserved by the Library of Congress for upcoming generations.
