Movie Hair – Screen Legends
10/17/1918 to 5/14/1987
She was born Margarita Carmen Cansino in New York into a family of dancers. Her father, Eduardo was a dancer as was his father before him. He immigrated from Spain in 1913. Rita, herself, was trained as a dancer in order to follow in her family’s footsteps. She joined her family on stage when she was 8 when they were filmed in a movie called La fiesta (1926). It was her first film appearance, although uncredited. Rita was seen dancing by a Fox executive and was impressed enough to offer her a contract. Rita's "second" debut was in the film Cruz Diablo (1934) at the age of 16. She continued to play small bit parts in several films under the name of "Rita Cansino" until she played the second female lead in Only Angels Have Wings (1939) when she played "Judy McPherson".
The studio head at Columbia Pictures Harry Cohn, changed her name to Hayworth and approved raising her hairline by electrolysis. Her famous red hair was not her real colour, her natural colour was black.
By this time, she was at Columbia where she was getting top billing, but it was the Warner Brothers film The Strawberry Blonde (1941) that set her apart from the rest. This was the film that exuded the warmth and seductive vitality that was to make her famous. Her natural, raw beauty was showcased later that year in Blood and Sand (1941) filmed in Technicolor. She was probably the second most popular actress after Betty Grable. In You'll Never Get Rich (1941) with Fred Astaire, her dancing, for which she had trained all her life, was astounding.
Rita was the producers’ first choice for the film Casablanca (1942), but they couldn’t get her and were fortunate to get Ingrid Bergman.
After the hit Gilda (1946), her career waned, although she was still making movies, they never approached her earlier work. Part of the reasons for the downward spiral was television, but also Rita had been replaced by the new star at Columbia, Kim Novak.
After a few, rather forgettable films in the 1960s, her career was essentially over. Her final film was The Wrath of God (1972). Her career was really never the same after Gilda (1946). Her dancing had made the film and had made her. Perhaps Gene Ringgold said it best when he remarked, "Rita Hayworth is not an actress of great depth. She was a dancer, a glamorous personality and a sex symbol. These qualities are such that they can carry her no further professionally". Perhaps he was right but Hayworth fans would vehemently disagree with him. Rita, herself, said, "Every man I have known has fallen in love with Gilda and wakened with me".
Rita married 5 times and had two children, her husbands included Orson Welles and Prince Aly Khan, making her the first actress to become a Princess (before Grace Kelly).
By 1980, Rita was wracked with Alzheimer's Disease. It ravaged her so, that she finally died on May 14, 1987 in New York City at the age of 68.
 See More Styles  |
Rita Hayworth
10/17/1918 to 5/14/1987
She was born Margarita Carmen Cansino in New York into a family of dancers. Her father, Eduardo was a dancer as was his father before him. He immigrated from Spain in 1913. Rita, herself, was trained as a dancer in order to follow in her family’s footsteps. She joined her family on stage when she was 8 when they were filmed in a movie called La fiesta (1926). It was her first film appearance, although uncredited. Rita was seen dancing by a Fox executive and was impressed enough to offer her a contract. Rita's "second" debut was in the film Cruz Diablo (1934) at the age of 16. She continued to play small bit parts in several films under the name of "Rita Cansino" until she played the second female lead in Only Angels Have Wings (1939) when she played "Judy McPherson".
The studio head at Columbia Pictures Harry Cohn, changed her name to Hayworth and approved raising her hairline by electrolysis. Her famous red hair was not her real colour, her natural colour was black.
By this time, she was at Columbia where she was getting top billing, but it was the Warner Brothers film The Strawberry Blonde (1941) that set her apart from the rest. This was the film that exuded the warmth and seductive vitality that was to make her famous. Her natural, raw beauty was showcased later that year in Blood and Sand (1941) filmed in Technicolor. She was probably the second most popular actress after Betty Grable. In You'll Never Get Rich (1941) with Fred Astaire, her dancing, for which she had trained all her life, was astounding.
Rita was the producers’ first choice for the film Casablanca (1942), but they couldn’t get her and were fortunate to get Ingrid Bergman.
After the hit Gilda (1946), her career waned, although she was still making movies, they never approached her earlier work. Part of the reasons for the downward spiral was television, but also Rita had been replaced by the new star at Columbia, Kim Novak.
After a few, rather forgettable films in the 1960s, her career was essentially over. Her final film was The Wrath of God (1972). Her career was really never the same after Gilda (1946). Her dancing had made the film and had made her. Perhaps Gene Ringgold said it best when he remarked, "Rita Hayworth is not an actress of great depth. She was a dancer, a glamorous personality and a sex symbol. These qualities are such that they can carry her no further professionally". Perhaps he was right but Hayworth fans would vehemently disagree with him. Rita, herself, said, "Every man I have known has fallen in love with Gilda and wakened with me".
Rita married 5 times and had two children, her husbands included Orson Welles and Prince Aly Khan, making her the first actress to become a Princess (before Grace Kelly).
By 1980, Rita was wracked with Alzheimer's Disease. It ravaged her so, that she finally died on May 14, 1987 in New York City at the age of 68.
You might also like...
Trevor Sorbie 2017 Colour Forecast
This year I feel colour is going to be much more natural with a lot of earthy and muted tones coming through. It's a look that's lived in rather than technical perfection....
Winter Colour Trends
Going darker for the winter will give the hair a break from lightening,
whether that is from the sun or chemical, which generally occurs throughout the summer months...
Westrow - Spring - Summer 2015 Colour Trends
For this trend, think that late-60s New York City underground punk scene full of attitude with a touch of expensive glamour...
All about wedding hair extensions
Styling your hair for the wedding is no ordinary feat – it really should be the best hair style you've ever had, to compliment your overall look....
Small Changes to your hair can have a Big Impact
Whether you want to completely revamp your hairstyle or make a few small tweaks to freshen up your look we have all the tips you'll need to liven up your hair in no time....
Top of the Crops
David Beckham, Benedict Cumberbatch and Prince Harry Crowned 2014's Top of the Crops in Fudge Professional nationwide poll....
Victoria Beckham the hair chameleon
Victoria Beckham is an absolute hair chameleon. She's definitely considered as one of the top hair icons of the last few decades...
The shag is making an ultimate comeback this year
What do Chloe, Valentino, Tory Burch and Chanel all have in common? They all showcased 60's inspired waves, braids and length in their 2015 collections...
Perfect Selfie Hairstyles
...Although this look isn't for everybody, it can be styled to suit any face shape, hair colour or length. This look makes a statement by accentuating your eyes and defining your cheekbones...
Top Three Festival Styles For Summer 2017
Westrow Co-Founder And Director, Steve Rowbottom, Reveals His Top Three Festival Styles For Summer 2017...
Top 5 Tips for Going Dark
Neutral dark shades such as brown-black can be sported by a number of skin tones but unless you are feeling brave, should probably be avoided by the very pale...
Key Bridal Hair Trends For Spring 2017
Anna Sorbie, bridal hair and beauty specialist and founder of bridal consultancy, annasorbie.com, predicts the top three bridal hairstyle trends of 2017, as seen at Bridal Fashion Week Spring 2017...
What is Balayage
Balayage is a highlighting method that is fresh, modern and sported by many A list celebs. Balayage is a French word that means to sweep or to paint; the colour is literally painted on to the hair without using any foil...