Acquanetta
| Acquanetta | |
|---|---|
| Born | Burnu Acquanetta July 17, 1921 Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Died | August 16, 2004 (aged 83) Ahwatukee, Arizona, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1942–1953 |
| Spouse | Jack Ross |
Acquanetta (July 17, 1921 – August 16, 2004), nicknamed "The Venezuelan Volcano," was a B-movie actress known for her exotic beauty.
Contents |
[edit] Early years
Although accounts differ,[1] Acquanetta claimed she was born Burnu Acquanetta in Ozone, Wyoming. Orphaned by her Arapaho parents at the age of 2, she lived briefly with another family before being taken in by an artistic couple with whom she remained until she made the choice to live independently at the age of 15.[2]
[edit] Career
Acquanetta started her career as a model in New York City with Harry Conover. She signed with Universal Studios in 1942 and acted mostly in B-movies, including Tarzan and the Leopard Woman, Arabian Nights, The Sword of Monte Cristo, and Captive Wild Woman,[3] in which Universal attempted to create a female monster movie franchise with Acquanetta as an ape.
She retired from movies in the 1950s after marrying Jack Ross, a car dealer. They settled in Mesa, Arizona, and she returned to a degree of celebrity by appearing with Ross in his local television advertisements,[3] and also by hosting a local television show called Acqua's Corner that accompanied the Friday late-night movies. She and Ross had four children, and divorced in the 1980s.
Acquanetta also authored a book of poetry, The Audible Silence, illustrated by Emilie Touraine (Flagstaff, AZ): Northland Press, 1974. In 1987, the all-girl band The Aquanettas adopted (and adapted) their name from hers.
[edit] Personal life
Acquanetta succumbed to complications of Alzheimer's disease on August 16, 2004, at Hawthorn Court in Ahwatukee, Arizona. She was 83.[4]
[edit] Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | Arabian Nights | Ishya | (uncredited) |
| 1943 | Rhythm of the Islands | Luani | as Burnu Acquanetta |
| Captive Wild Woman | Paula Dupree - the Ape Woman | ||
| 1944 | Jungle Woman | Paula Dupree - the Ape Woman | |
| Dead Man's Eyes | Tanya Czoraki | ||
| 1946 | Tarzan and the Leopard Woman | Lea, the High Priestess | |
| 1951 | The Sword of Monte Cristo | Felice | |
| Lost Continent | Native Girl | ||
| Callaway Went Thataway | Native Girl with Smoky | (uncredited) | |
| 1953 | Take the High Ground! | Bar Girl | (uncredited) |
| 1990 | The Legend of Grizzly Adams |
[edit] References
- ^ "Acqua Blues". Phoenix New Times. September 2, 2004. http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2004-09-02/culture/acqua-blues/. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
- ^ "Billed As Venezuela Beauty,' Indian Girl Hoaxed Filmdom". The Milwaukee Journal. July 20, 1942. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=kzUdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HCMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3234,1835551&dq=acquanetta&hl=en. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Acquanetta, Movie Actress". Beaver Country Times. August 18, 2004. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=EWgyAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K7UFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4390,4777538&dq=acquanetta&hl=en. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
- ^ "Acquanetta, 83, A Star of B Movies". The New York Times. August 23, 2004. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70913F63C5A0C708EDDA10894DC404482. Retrieved December 23, 2010.
[edit] External links
- Acquanetta at Find a Grave
- Acquanetta at the Internet Movie Database
- Acquanetta at AllRovi
