Rita Hayworth

Personal Data

Rita Hayworth was born on October 17, 1918 in Brooklyn, New York. Her given name was Margarita Carmen Cansino. Her father, Edwardo Cansino, was Spanish and her mother, Volga, was Irish/American. Her father was a professional dancer and enrolled Rita in dance class at the age of three and as Edwardo's partner at the age of 12. Rita was able to dance with her father in the nightclubs of Tijuana without being questioned about her age.

Rita was contracted by Fox At the age of 15. she shortened her name to Rita Cansino and appeared as a dancer in Dante's Inferno. By 1937, she had taken her mother's maiden name, Haworth, and was appearing regularly in supporting roles. She made several "B" films at Fox. Rita was the first to go when Fox was taken over by Twentieth Century Pictures.

Her first husband promoted her tirelessly until breaks came in prominent roles in Only Angels Have Wings (1939) and Blood and Sand (1941). Who can forget her steamy portrayal of Gilda (1946), or her unique and moving Miss Sadie Thompson (1953)?

Rita died on May 14, 1987 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease.


Who can Forget

1935

Under the Pampas Moon

Charlie Chan in Egypt

Dante's Inferno

Paddy O'Day

1936

Human Cargo

Meet Nero Wolfe

Rebellion

1937

Trouble in Texas

Old Louisiana

Hit the Saddle

Criminals of the Air

Girls Can Play

Shadow

Game that Kills

Paid to Dance

1938

Who Killed Gail Preston?

There's Always a Woman

Convicted

Juvenile Court

Renegade Ranger

Homicide Bureau

1939

The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt

Special Inspector

Only Angels Have Wings

Music in My Heart

1940

Blondie on a Budget

Susan and God

The Lady in Question

Angels over Broadway

1941

The Strawberry Blonde

Affectionately Yours

Blood and Sand

You'll Never Get Rich

1942

My Gal Sal

Tales of Manhattan

You Were Never Lovelier

1943

Show Business at War

1944

Cover Girl

1945

Tonight and Every Night

1946

Gilda

1947

Down to Earth

1948

Lady from Shanghai

Loves of Carmen

1951

Champagne Safari

1952

Affair in Trinidad

1953

Salome

Miss Sadie Thompson

1957

Fire Down Below

1958

Pal Joey

Separate Tables

1959

They Came to Cordura

1960

The Story on Page One

1962

The Happy Thieves

1964

Circus World

1966

The Money Trap

The Poppy Is Also a Flower

1967

The Rover (L'Avventuriero)

1971

The Sons of Satan (I Bastardi)

Road to Salina (Route de Salina)

The Naked Zoo

1972

The Wrath of God

LOVE GODDESS

Rita Links




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Last Updated 3/25/98

© HWS, 1998