Myrtle Gonzalez actress born on September 28, 1891, and died on October 22, 1918. Between 1913 and 1917, she was in 78 silent features, 66 of which were shorts with only one or two reels. She was the first Latina or Hispanic Hollywood movie star, and fame preceded her.
One of Gonzalez’s most famous roles was that of Enid Maitland in Vitagraph’s 1916 six-reel drama The Chalice of Courage, which co-starred William Duncan. One publication even went so far as to call her “The Virgin White Lily of the Screen.”
Actress Myrtle Gonzalez was from America. Between 1913 and 1917, she acted in at least 78 silent-era motion pictures, of which 66 were one- and two-reel shorts.
Biography
| Name | Myrtle Gonzalez |
| Professionally Known | Myrtle Gonzalez |
| Nickname | Myrtle |
| Date Of Birth | September 28, 1891 |
| Date Of Death | October 22, 1918 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Age | 27 years |
| Profession | Actress |
| Nationality | American |
| Cause Of Death | Spanish Flu |
| Spouse Name | Parks Jones, Allen Watt |
| Hometown | Los Angeles, California |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Father | Manuel George Gonzalez |
| Mother | Lillian L. Cook |
| Brother | Stella M. Gonzalez |
| Sister | Manuel G. Gonzalez, Jr |
| Son | James Parks Jones, Jr. |
| Daughter | NA |
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Age
| Myrtle Gonzalez Age | 27 years |
Height
| Myrtle Gonzalez Height in Feet | 5′5 ″ |
| Height in Meters | 1.67 m |
| Height in Centimeters | 167 cm |
Weight
| Myrtle Gonzalez Weight in Kilograms | 59Kg |
| Weight in Pounds | 110lbs |
Early Life
Her parents, Manuel George Gonzalez and Lillian L. Cook, were born between 1874 and 1932. Los Angeles, California, was the site of her birth on September 28, 1891. Stella M. Gonzalez (1892–1965) and Manuel G. Gonzalez Jr. were their names. She came from a Hispanic family that had its roots in Mexico. They had settled here for quite sometime before the United States even considered annexing the area. Her mum was an opera singer and popular music performer.
Immigrants from Ireland were her parents. Her dad was a grocery store owner. Even as a little girl, Myrtle had a gift for the stage and a beautiful voice. She sang in church choirs, at community concerts, and for charity. In subsequent productions, she shared youthful roles with Florence Stone and Fanny Davenport. James Parks Jones was Gonzalez’s spouse around 1910. James Parks Jones Jr. was born in 1911 or around that year and died in 1970. They were parents to a son before they divorced.
Controversies
Blaché & Myrtle
Her affair with filmmaker Herbert Blaché was one of the most prominent scandals. Blaché was wed to Alice Guy-Blaché, the first female film employee at the time. However, in 1922, he cheated on Alice with Myrtle, leading to their breakup.
Mexican American
Due to her Mexican ancestry, Myrtle Gonzalez had numerous career setbacks. Despite her Spanish parents’ Los Angeles birth, she frequently encountered racism due to her appearance and last name. During the period when Mexican Americans found it difficult to obtain employment in Hollywood, Myrtle struggled to land roles as the exotic seductress or the fiery Latina.
Co-Stars
Furthermore, there were unfounded rumors regarding Myrtle’s romantic history. Rumors of relationships between her and several co-stars began circulating due to her flirtatious behavior on set. A rumored romance featured the well-known actor Francis X. Bushman. The rumors of their relationship caused a stir, even though it was never confirmed—especially since Bushman was married then.
Posthumous Awards
Even after Myrtle Gonzalez passed away at 27, people knew her talent. Her performance in The Mexican was one of her best, according to Photoplay Magazine, and it won her a Bronze Plaque in 1919. She received an award in 1920 from Alma de Mexico magazine for being the most beautiful woman in Mexico.
Marriage
On December 1, 1917, she wed actor and director Allen Watt (1885–1944) in Los Angeles. She retired from the film industry after quitting. They first connected while Watt was an assistant director at Universal. Watt was an officer in the US Army at their marriage, and the US was already involved in World War I. Camp Lewis, where he worked, is near Tacoma, Washington. Capt. Watt was placed on the retirement list to transport Sanchez back to Southern California because her health was too fragile for the weather. Returning to Universal, he began directing motion pictures.
Myrtle Gonzalez’s Death
Myrtle Gonzalez death cause was the Spanish flu that struck Myrtle in October 1918. A global pandemic of deadly diseases spread throughout the world. On October 22, 1918, she passed away at her parents’ house in Los Angeles. Her age was 27. Her fans and the film industry both suffered greatly at her passing.
Myrtle Gonzalez’s Legacy
Myrtle Gonzalez was intelligent and attractive, and it was clear that she would make a successful acting career. Her premature death meant that both the film industry and her fans lost someone significant. Her beauty, talent, and multifaceted abilities are what people remember about her. Even today, fans of silent films still appreciate her works.
Career
Myrtle Gonzalez born and raised in Los Angeles was in a prime position to take advantage. After performing well in several local plays, she joined the silent film studio Vitagraph Company of America. The Yellow Streak was her first motion picture role. The 1913 short film Giving Them Fits was Myrtle’s debut motion picture. It was a small role, but it began an amazing career spanning two decades. She immediately rose to fame for her ability to convey emotion through her eyes without using words. His roles in films such as The Silent Witness (1917) and Love’s Forgiveness (1915) increased.
However, Myrtle did not start gaining notoriety until she starred with well-known comedian Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle in Fatty’s Plucky Pup (1915). Their on-screen chemistry was undeniable, and they went to In the years that followed, Gonzalez settled into a recurring role as a strong, adventurous heroine who frequently lived in the woods. Frequently, these characters faced off against city girls struggling in unfamiliar environments.
Gonzalez received recognition for portraying strong female characters who overcome obstacles with tenacity and resolve, even though most of her roles fit a particular mold. She was never afraid to celebrate her Spanish heritage, either. Gonzalez appeared in 80 films throughout her career, starting with The Yellow Streak. She was well-known for her roles with William Desmond Taylor at Vitagraph.
November 23 marked the release of one of Gonzalez’s most well-known films, The Level. It is a significant day. Gonzalez spent a few years working at Vitagraph before moving on to Universal Studios. She became even more of an outdoor heroine there, starring in films such as The Secret of the Swamp and The Girl of Lost Lake.
Net Worth
| Myrtle Gonzalez Net Worth in USD | $2 Million Dollars |
| Net Worth in INR | ₹166,479,000 |
Social Media
She wasn’t from the social media times.
| KulFiy | Myrtle Gonzalez |
Myrtle Gonzalez Movies List
| Year Released | Movie Name |
| (1915) | Chalice of Courage |
| (1915) | A Natural Man |
| (1916) | The Girl of Lost Lake |
| (1916) | It Happened in Honolulu |
| (1916) | The Secret of the Swamp |
| (1917) | The Greater Law |
| (1917) | Mutiny |
| (1917) | God’s Crucible |
| (1917) | Southern Justice |
| (1917) | The Show Down |
Songs List
No song lists are known for Myrtle Gonzalez. Her main job was as a silent film actress; no records exist of her recording songs or working in music.
Fun Facts
- In Hollywood, Myrtle Gonzalez was the first Latina to achieve success as an actor. In 1912, she inked a recording contract with Universal.
- When thinking about the evolution of Latinx characters in Hollywood, many people think of her.
- Who died due to the Spanish flu pandemic that hit the world in 1918.
- She got her start singing in the Los Angeles area as a soprano, performing in church choirs and at charity concerts.
- Opera singer Lillian L. Cook (1874–1922) and grocery store owner Manuel George Gonzalez were married. Stella and Manuel Jr. were her siblings. The maternal line was of Irish descent, while the paternal line was of Spanish origin.
- J. Parks Jones was her first husband, and they had a son named James Parks Jones, Jr. His approximate lifespan was from around 1911 until 1970.
- Google ran a doodle in her honor on November 23, 2022.
- Between 1913 and 1914, Gonzalez appeared in five films co-starring William Taylor. Two of these comedies were A Mix-Up in Pedigrees and Her Husband’s Friend.
- Several of Gonzalez’s roles were those of independent, nature-loving women. During her last six years on screen, she was a mainstay in a slew of films in icy woodland settings.
- Despite her lack of athleticism, she played powerful female roles in film. She never tried to swim, ride a horse, play tennis, punch a bag, or punch a bag.
- Gonzalez insisted that the two “z” spellings of her surname were indicative of “aristocratic Spanish” and “plebian Mexican,” respectively and that she was mistakenly using both.
- From romantic comedies to action flicks, she has played leading roles in them all.
Influence on Hollywood and Pop Culture
Myrtle Gonzalez is one of the first Hispanic actresses to become a movie star; people will always remember her for that. Despite the medium’s limitations, Gonzalez’s convincing early acting set the bar for many other actors. She began her acting career in her hometown by participating in community plays. She appeared in over 40 short films with well-known actors of the era, including William Desmond Taylor, during her brief tenure at Vitagraph. These included Captain Alvarez, Millions for Defence, Her Husband’s Friend, and Tainted Money.
Gonzales was unique among her contemporaries in silent films because she was a true fit for every part. Silent films mainly rely on body language and facial expressions, which makes a powerful statement about the limited expression in these films. Gonzales stood out from other era performers due to her commitment to providing genuine, passionate performances that directly shared Mexican culture and pride with American audiences. Gonzalez’s death was tragic, but she will always be an inspiration to people. Through her work, she dispelled stereotypes and motivated other Hispanic actors aspiring to achieve similar success.
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FAQs
Myrtle Gonzalez, how did she die?
The Spanish flu was the cause of Myrtle Gonzalez death on October 22, 1918.
Who is Myrtle Gonzalez?
Myrtle Gonzalez, an American actress, appeared in 78 silent films between 1913 and 1917. Her performance in The Chalice of Courage (1915) made her famous.
How did Myrtle Gonzalez die?
Myrtle Gonzalez died in 1918. Myrtle Gonzalez cause of death was Spanish flu.