Introduction
Myrtle Gonzalez is one of the greatest praised actresses of silent film during the period of her time. In industry and on her fans, she is leaving strong traces of her mark. Moreover, her viewers are being captured in a spell of her emotional range and natural beauty.
Her expressive eyes and bobbed hair show her sparkling and rebellious spirit. She had shattered the stereotypes which is the lead for her to open the door of mainstream films for the Latin American actresses. She was a dominant personality in the film industry of Hollywood because of her amazing performances and attractive persona. Modern audiences are gradually alluring to her such impactful legacy. Sorrowly, her life period was short because of global Spanish flu pandemic but her legacy and charm is still alive and inspiring for the current generation.
Key Facts About Myrtle Gonzalez
- Myrtle Gonzalez was a devout Catholic.
- She was famous actress of silent film who was prominent in over 80 films at the duration of 1913-1917. Her date of birth is September 28, 1891. She was born in Los Angeles, California.
- She was died at the age of 27 on October 22, 1918, at the same city.
- She was popular because of her talent, flexibility in different role and beauty.
- She was famous because of her performance in 1915 as Enid Maitland. She performed in Vitagraph film named “The Chalice of Courage.”
- Her first husband was James Parks Jones and the name of second husband was Allen Watt. Her only son’s name was James Parks Jones Jr.
- She was talented dancer and singer
- She was of Irish and Mexican descent.
- She was famous as “The Virgin White Lily of the Screen.”
- She had great attention at musical productions and vaudeville show.
- She played golf, tennis and baseball as she was a member of Athletic club of Los Angeles.
- Her nickname was “La Única” or “the unique one” because of her beauty and talent.
- Her net worth was 100,000 to $250,000 at the time of her death in 1918.
EARLY LIFE
Born In Los Angeles
In a diverse community of Los Angeles, Myrtle Gonzalez was born on September 28, 1891. She got interest in performance and entertainment because of her parents. As her both parents were stage singers and actors.
Her performances were started in community theater show. She was so quick in having keen eyes of the audience for her charm and skills. Myrtle was supported by her parents so she got the confidence to work as a dancer and actress. In no time she was able to work for the film role.
Myrtle is considered as one of those Latina actresses who had firstly got achievements in Hollywood. She had surpass all the hurdles and became a prominent figure in film industry. It was not easy for minority performers. She had received praised from both her critics and audiences in her career by giving performances in both drama and romantic comedies. She was noticed as an unmatched and sweet actress.
She had performed in more than 80 shorts which features for Universal and Vita-graph. She often play as a self-sufficient lady who prospered outdoors. She was focused on movies related to the forest life and snow country movies during last six years of filming. Moreover, for the benefits of church she was producing and directing the shows along with her routine of doing different shows.
Her Life
Myrtle Gonzales had married two times and two children were born. She was loved by her relatives and close friends because of her attentive nature.
From her early age , she had showed great interest in the world of entertainment. Singing and dancing at community level was her start. Though it was a small beginning but she was able to gain great recognition by audience and director Thomas for her talent.
When she was 19 years old, Myrtle performed in western movie “The Invaders” (1912). A great start of her successful career in Hollywood. In no time she had her role in remarkable shorts which include “The Easter Lily” (1915), “The Serpent” (1916), and “One Law for Both” (1917).
As she was not invisible for the other film-maker she got many role in remarkable films include The Yellow Streak (1913), Tainted Money (1914), and Captain Alvarez (1914).
Gonzalez’s fame and recognition gave her the opportunity to have a deal with Fox Film Corporation in 1916. she was appeared in many film before making having a role in “The Heart of Texas Ryan”. She earn the title of “Virgin White Lily of the Screen” as in her short career duration she had made over 80 shorts.
She married director and actor Allen Watt In 1917. During this duration she was struggling with her health but as Watt was military officer during World War I he bought her as his wife in California. It was the time when she has to step back from her career because of her health. But life had gave her date of her last breath on of October 22, 1918 at the age of 27.
Married Allen Watt
Gonzales career in acting world was started in 1909 in Southland. It was a dramatic start of performances. After three years she met J.Parks Jones. In no time they were engaged. Shortly thereafter she gave birth to her first child. But unfortunately their journey together was too short. The reason was unknown which had lead them towards divorce. At that time their divorce news caught significance in newspapers.
After this period of her life she made a film in The Yellow Streak in 1912.one after other she made five films.
2 Dramas
The Kiss
Tainted Money
2 Comedies
Millions for Defence
Her Husband’s Friend
William Desmond Taylor
In 1914 she became a professional and well known movies actress. She was working in films of romance, comedy and adventure when she met Allen Watt who had became her second husband. It was the time she left her acting career as she was struggling with her health.
Her Film Career
Myrtle Gonzalez had made more than 40 short and movies of six-feature-length. Fighting stereotype roles which were failed to represent actual experience of Hispanic in America she had mostly played characters of Mexican or Spanish in order to engage American audience. She had embraced her heritage and had worked hard to represent complexities of being Hispanic in United state.
Even with the limited technology of her time, she was able to managed such audiences through her endless beauty and talent even with less advance technology of that time. She was able to reach her viewers around the world or her country. She was such actress who’s spell of charm was around her each audience regardless of their background.
Thomas Ince was a significant figure in her life who had gave her leading role in A War-Time Widow(1915) on the basis of her effortless talent and beauty. This was her time of becoming an international celebrity before being engulf by Spanish flue pandemic at the age of 27.
Controversies and Scandals
Well controversies and scandals are usually celebrities’ part of life and Myrtle was one of such figures. For instance there was a time when Myrtle had affair with a married director named Herbert Blaché which even became a cause of divorce of Blaché with her wife Alice. It was happened in 1922.
Reputation of Myrtle and Blaché was stained because of this scandal, it was a major stir in Hollywood.
Furthermore, there were many rumours enveloping Myrtle’s life of love. She was famous for her flirtatious nature on stage and that she was connected romantically with her many colleagues.
Influence on Hollywood and Pop Culture
In early 20th century, Myrtle Gonzalez was an actress of silent film also famous as “the American Beauty,”. Regardless of her short career, she had a great impact on pop culture and Hollywood, even today it felt.
She began to get fame with her performances in 1914 “The Count of Monte Cristo.” Her captivating and effortless beauty on show was admirable as it caught attention of audience in no time. She became even more popular by the time. Her each role was making her a fine actresses of her time.
Gonzalez’s impact on Hollywood can be evident by her ground-breaking efforts in giving shape the reflection of women characters in film industry.
Gonzalez’s effect was grew beyond the Hollywood as she had a great impact on pop culture too at that time. She was admire across America because of her beauty and talent . she was the inspiration for the fashion trend because of her magnificent style.each women was crazy to follow her style, no matter if its hairstyle or dressing style. In this regard she was an idol for the women of her time.
Died In 1918
Myrtle Gonzalez life had gave her date of her last breath on of October 22, 1918 at the age of 27. she was died because of pandemic Spanish flu. It was her sudden , unexpected and shocking death. She was buried in Los Angeles. It was a tragic loss for her friends and family.
She set her name as a professional actress in Hollywood film industry. Her role was spinning between comedies to drama to western. She usually had played physically demanding and adventurous role in film that needed extreme conditions of weather or stunts. Death of Gonzalez came in such time when transformation or innovation was need of that time. She was volunteer to be a part of different organizations to help in maintaining system for the sake of generations of that and current time. Myrtle Gonzalez was at her age of 27. It was such a short to mark such recognition in film industry colleagues, friends, family and her beloved audience. Her spell was all over the international and national film industry because of her effortless talent and so attractive beauty.
Myrtle Gonzalez had her only beloved son behind named James Park Jones Jr. He lived between 1911 and 1970. He is buried in Los Angeles at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Her Legacy
Myrtle Gonzalez will remain in the memories of generations as she was one of the first Hispanic actresses who had touched the sky of success in film industry. She was characterised by her natural and effortless beauty , attraction and nature of sympathy. She was a strong and independent women willing to overcome each hurdle of her path.
Myrtle Gonzalez is one of the greatest praised actresses of silent film during the period of her time. In industry and on her fans she is leaving strong traces of her mark. Moreover, her viewers are being captured in a spell of her emotional range and natural beauty.
Her expressive eyes and bobbed hair shows her sparkling and rebellious spirit. She had shattered the stereotypes which is the lead for her to open the door of mainstream films for the Latin American actresses. She was a dominant personality in the film industry of Hollywood because of her amazing performances and attractive persona. Modern audiences are gradually alluring to her such impactful legacy. Sorrowlly, her life period was short because of global Spanish flu pandemic but her legacy and charm is still alive and inspiring for the current generation.
Myrtle Gonzalez had made more than 40 short and movies of six-feature-length. Fighting stereotype roles which were failed to represent actual experience of Hispanic in America she had mostly played characters of Mexican or Spanish in order to engage American audience. She had embraced her heritage and had worked hard to represent complexities of being Hispanic in United state.
Gonzalez’s fame and recognition gave her the opportunity to have a deal with Fox Film Corporation in 1916. she was appeared in many film before making having a role in “The Heart of Texas Ryan”. She earn the title of “Virgin White Lily of the Screen” as in her short career duration she had made over 80 shorts.
She married director and actor Allen Watt In 1917. During this duration she was struggling with her health but as Watt was military officer during World War I he bought her as his wife in California. It was the time when she has to step back from her career because of her health. But life had gave her date of her last breath on of October 22, 1918 at the age of 27.
Known For Her Beauty and Charisma
Myrtle Gonzalez’s was so beautiful that even her beauty count as a significant part in the rise of her as a star in film industry. Her life was inspiration for everyone as she was an idol for her female fans. They had followed her each style as they admire her beauty and charm.
Even with the limited technology of her time, she was able to managed such audiences through her endless beauty and talent even with less advance technology of that time. She was able to reach her viewers around the world or her country. She was such actress who’s spell of charm was around her each audience regardless of their background.
She was became one of the most beloved actresses of her time . Once Gonzalez caught an amazing beneficiary transition when film production was transformed from New York to Los Angeles. She was able to have access to great studios of film includes Vitagraph Comapany of America and Universal. It was counted as a great opportunity for her to present her talent in various categories like melodrama, Westerns and comedies.
Dedicated To Charity Work
Myrtle Gonzalez was consider a kind and attractive woman. Her life was a mark of the new beginning for the women in film industry of Hollywood. She was not only known for such innovation but also she was a prominent figure in case of Charity Work. She had gave her time and energy to her local community and area around her.she was on of those at that time who were stood against racial discrimination. Her efforts helped transform the practices and education of nursing during that time.
During her Short career, Gonzalez was happened to be appear 78 silent-era films. Due to this, she was recognized for her performances and audiences were captivated by her alluring. She made her place in between well known and significant actresses of her time.
Gonzalez was volunteer to spend her spare time to make connection with advocacy and join different organizations. Moreover, her determinations and dedication became cause in organizing legislation in different department which include police accountability, healthcare reforms, resources management. He was the prominent figure of that time who helped to make better world for further generation to live peacefully.
Remembering Myrtle Gonzalez: Honors and Tributes
Myrtle Gonzalez was also popular as one of the first Latin American film celebrities. she was a talented figure with a sympathetic heart, alluring beauty. Her legacy is continued and she is honored today. Her life span was short only 27 years but still, she had left remarkable deeds, acts, and persona. The film industry still remembers her and praises her talent.
Even with the limited technology of her time, she was able to manage such audiences through her endless beauty and talent even with less advance technology of that time. She was able to reach her viewers around the world or her country. She was such an actress who’s spell of charm was around each audience regardless of their background.
Myrtle Gonzalez is one of the greatest praised actresses of silent film during the period of her time. In industry and with her fans she is leaving strong traces of her mark. Moreover, her viewers are being captured in a spell of her emotional range and natural beauty.
Let’s explore how she had contributed to the film industry and how much she was able to make her recognized around the world of entertainment.
1. Posthumous Awards
Myrtle had received this reward in her many films. Regardless of her short duration in the film industry, she had had great achievements. She was honoured with a Bronze Plaque by Photoplay Magazine for her play in “The Mexican,” in 1919.
Furthermore, she received an award from Alma de Mexico magazine for being “the most beautiful woman in Mexico.” in 1920.
1. Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Myrtle Gonzalez was rewarded with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. It is known as one of the biggest rewards for actors or actresses to achieve in the film industry.
FAQ
Q. What was the date and place of Myrtle Gonzalez’s birth?
A. Myrtle Gonzalez was born in Los Angeles, California on September 28, 1891.
Q. Does Myrtle have any children?
A. She had a son from her first husband named son’s name was James Parks Jones Jr.
Q. Was Myrtle Gonzalez ever married?
A. Yes, Myrtle Gonzalez was married twice.
Q. When did Myrtle Gonzalez start her acting career?
A. Myrtle Gonzalez started her career in 1913. It happened when Universal Studios made a contract with her.
Q. What were Myrtle Gonzalez’s remarkable films?
A. Myrtle Gonzalez was seen in appeared in numerous films during her period of acting including “The Little Sheriff” (1914), “The Level” (1914), and “The Chalice of Courage” (1915).
Q. What type of roles does Myrtle Gonzalez play?
A. Myrtle Gonzalez usually played leading roles in comedies and dramas because of her talent and attractive look.
Q. What was the cause of Myrtle Gonzalez’s death?
A. Myrtle died because of the Spanish flu at the age of 27, on October 22, 1918.
Conclusion
Myrtle Gonzalez was an actress who had a great role in the film industry to shape it in such a way where minorities got a right to get fame. Hurdles and difficulties like things were nothing before her talent and passion. Her legacy is still remarkable for the actors and actresses of the current generation. She has an undeniable impact on entertainment history. She was the star of her world and appreciated by many famous figures in the film industry. She got her nickname and title based on her beauty and talent.
