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Fans of Raquel Welch, be ready to play your best! We went far back into history to unearth information and images that will push the boundaries of your knowledge. So prepare to be astonished when you peek behind the scenes of Welch’s life with us. There is undoubtedly something here to add to your knowledge about a true cinema icon, whether it be a fact or a rare picture.
Unknown Year: The Birth Of A Star
Photo Credits – Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images
Although Welch loved acting, as a young girl, she was more drawn to ballet dancing. Even Irene Clark, her teacher, caught her attention. Welch stated as much in her 2010 autobiography, Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage. “Then came the day when this ballet beauty destroyed my heart.” “Irene told me I would never become a classical ballerina when I was seventeen years old. I would make a better comedienne, in her opinion.”
1960: Doe’s Eyes
Welch began receiving male attention at an early age, which she characterized in her book as “uncomfortable, yet intoxicating.” Most of it, however, was unwanted, with men making various advances and even attempting to seduce her into their car. Fortunately, she mastered the ability to fight off creepers; this skill served her well for the rest of her life.
1960: Beginning
Welch had the advantage of being well-known in getting hired as the weather girl for San Diego news station KFMB. According to the actress’ memoirs, “It was a popular morning program called Sun Up and a terrific opportunity I didn’t want to miss. I therefore didn’t mind having to get up and go to work at 5:00 in the morning. and depart early to record the program.”
1960: Perfect in every Way
Of course, Welch’s appeal—both on and off the screen—made her famous. She and Curtis consciously played up to this for her rebranding. Welch stated, “I think I can fit into plays that ask for splendor, sultriness, and se*xiness,” in a 1964 issue of The Journal News story headed “Starlet is Seeking Sultry Roles.”
1965: Smoldering Shoulder To Shoulder
Raquel’s last name was Tejada, but Patrick Curtis, her agent in Hollywood and future husband, didn’t want her to be wrongly stereotyped. He suggested that Raquel use the last name of the ex-husband in its place. She changed her name to Raquel Welch at his insistence, and soon after, she landed a number of tiny TV parts.
1965: The Pondering
Yes, Welch was married before she became well-known in the entertainment industry. She actually did have a family, including a son named Damon and a daughter named Tahnee. She, unfortunately, left her life behind once the marriage ended. She wrote, “My only argument for my stupidity is that I was young and pigheaded. The best thing I’ve ever done is have children, according to me.”
1965: In Reflection
Welch says that her years of ballet training are what gave her iconic figure, but the next time she performed on stage after leaving the ballet, it wasn’t as a stand-up comedian. You won’t be shocked to learn that she instead became successful as a beauty-queen contender. Miss San Diego, Miss Photogenic, and Miss Contour were among the titles the future actress won. Welch also loved wearing high heels, which set her apart from many other girls her age.
1966: Size Matters
Welch had higher goals in mind, so it doesn’t imply she was content to play the standard beauty role and be typecast as such. According to her, “I want to play the girl with problems, not the attractive dumb girl who lives next door,” she told The Journal News. “There are currently too many people in the city that meet the description. The Anne Bancroft type is not me.”
1966: Using The Lens
Welch’s seductive persona actually went against the traditional ideals instilled in her by her family. However, she later admitted to the magazine Closer Weekly that she saw it as a role, just like any other in an actress’ toolbox. And Welch acknowledged that she was the only one who felt more threatened by the demands placed on her image. She was worried she wouldn’t live up to it, but she still has a gorgeous personality now.
1966: The Path To Success
You see, despite appearing confident, the actress wasn’t always at ease with herself. And a lot of exhibits were on display for the era! Welch said to Barbara Walters in 1985 that she occasionally experienced insecurity in front of the camera. Welch acknowledges that despite this, she never felt compelled to fit the stereotype by Hollywood. She was the only one who owned it.
1966: A Flashback To The Past
Welch rose to fame in 1966 for playing Loana; more than three decades later, The Shawshank Redemption (1994) made reference to her role. Camille Paglia, a critic, called Welch’s portrayal of Loana “the indelible image of a woman as queen of nature.” She had a worldwide appeal because she was like a lioness: strong, passionate, and dangerously physical.
1967: A Almost Bond Girl
Welch came dangerously close to joining an elite and illustrious group of s*ex icons as she made her way through the history of Hollywood. She nearly played Bond girl Domino in the 1965 James Bond film Thunderball! In the end, Welch was permitted to break her contract to appear in Fantastic Voyage, and Claudine Auger stepped into her place.
1967: Bedazzling
The Newark Advocate quoted Welch as saying, “I really got nowhere, even in Hollywood, until I bought a couple of se*xy, clinging, low-necked outfits. Since then, I haven’t stopped working.’ She said in Beyond the Cleavage, “The irony of it all is that even though many viewed me as a s*ex symbol, I was actually a single mother of two young children!”
1967: Hollywood Royalty
Welch was by no means a standout student at his school. Hormone twisters caused that, as they did for many early adolescents. She wrote in her autobiography, “Love distracted me from my studies.” James Welch, who would eventually become her husband and the father of her children, was the focus of her affection. That means at least Welch’s feelings weren’t unjustified.
What’s your favorite movie by Raquel Welch? And why do you like her? Please let us know in the comments, and don’t forget to spread the news so that we can hear from more people.
