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Estelita Rodriguez (July 2, 1928 – March 12, 1966) was a Cuban actress best known for her roles in many Roy Rogers Republic westerns, and her role in Howard Hawks' western classic Rio Bravo.
Early life and career
Rodriguez's career began in 1942 when she won a contract with MGM at the age of 14. She continued to go to MGM school in preparation to make a movie. However, MGM dropped her at the last minute, and Rodriguez traveled back to New York until 1945 when she signed a 5- picture deal with Republic.
Her first movie was Along the Navajo Trail. Though it made her career take a better turn, Rodriguez did not enjoy making the movie, reportedly saying "Everyone treats me like a kid. I am a mother." Soon after this, she starred with western favorites Roy Rogers and Dale Evans in Twilight in the Sierras in 1950 and In Old Amarillo with Rogers.
She concluded her career with Republic in 1952, and her last film was 1966's Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter. In 1959, she appeared in Rio Bravo with John Wayne, Dean Martin and Walter Brennan.
Personal life and death
During the days of her early career, Rodriguez married Mexican singer Chu-Chu Martinez. They had one child together, Nina (1946). They divorced in 1947.
In January 1953, Rodriguez married actor Grant Withers, an ex-husband of Loretta Young. John Wayne served as the best man at the wedding. They divorced in 1955.
Her third marriage was to Ismael Alfonso Halfss in 1956. They divorced in 1960.
Her fourth and final marriage was to Dr. Ricardo A. Pego in 1961. They remained married until her death.
On March 12, 1966, Estelita M. Pego was found dead on the kitchen floor of her North Hollywood / Van Nuys, California, home, at age 37. The cause of death was not made public. Some sources gave influenza as the cause of death.
She is interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery, Mission Hills, California.
Filmography
- Along the Navajo Trail (1945)
- Mexicana (1945)
- On the Old Spanish Trail (1947)
- The Gay Ranchero (1948)
- Old Los Angeles (1948)
- Susanna Pass (1949)
- The Golden Stallion (1949)
- Belle of Old Mexico (1950)
- Federal Agent at Large (1950)
- Twilight in the Sierras (1950)
- Sunset in the West (1950)
- Hit Parade of 1951 (1950)
- California Passage (1950)
- In Old Amarillo (1951)
- Cuban Fireball (1951)
- Havana Rose (1951)
- Pals of the Golden West (1951)
- The Fabulous Senorita (1952)
- Tropical Heat Wave (1952)
- South Pacific Trail (1952)
- Sweethearts on Parade (1953)
- Tropic Zone (1953)
- Rio Bravo (1959)
- Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966)