Sad news from Hollywood today, as film icon Raquel Welch has passed away at the age of 82.
According to a statement from Welch’s publicist, the actress died after a brief illness.
Some younger readers may not be familiar with Raquel’s work, but those who grew up in the sixties and seventies may remember a time when some names were better known.
Thanks to his work in popular films such as Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years BC., Welch became one of the biggest stars on the planet while still in his twenties.
The wardrobe in the latter film was described by one critic as “the definitive look of the 1960s.”
Born Jo Raquel Tejada in 1940 to a Bolivian immigrant father, Welch was encouraged by her first manager to use her husband’s name professionally, to avoid being “typecast in a Latina role.”
She drew a line, however, when she changed her first name to “Debbie” at the suggestion of a studio executive who thought “Raquel” would be too difficult for audiences to pronounce.
Over the next decade, Welch earned more than 40 film credits.
In addition to the popcorn that made her famous, Welch tackled more challenging roles, such as the transgender title character in the 1970 film. Myra Breckenridgebased on the controversial novel by Gore Vidal.
She also skewered her own image as a sex symbol with a humorous role in it Seinfeld, Spin Cityand Gun wuda 33 + 1/3: The Final Insult.
“Part of being a sex symbol is great and it helps you succeed in business — but only up to a point,” Welch said in a 2001 interview with Cinema.com, adding that “it fires people’s imaginations.”
“They just can’t see you doing anything else,” she explains.
Around the same time, Welch made himself known to a new generation thanks to his work in the beloved Reese Witherspoon comedy. Legally blonde.
News of Welch’s death made her name a trending topic on Twitter, as heartfelt tributes poured in from her family, friends, and many adoring fans.
They have two children, including actress Tahnee Welch.
Our thoughts go out to Raquel’s loved ones as they mourn the loss of a true Hollywood legend.