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.
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
Rita Links
© HWS, 1998