Lita Baron
Lita Baron | |
|---|---|
 Baron in 1960 | |
| Born | Isabel Castro August 11, 1923 Almería, Spain |
| Died | December 16, 2015 (aged 92) Palm Springs, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Isabelita |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1944–1979 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
Lita Baron (born Isabel Castro; August 11, 1923 – December 16, 2015)[1] was a Spanish-born American actress and singer who appeared in movies and television shows for over 30 years.
Early life
[edit]Baron was born Isabel Castro in Almería, Spain, on August 11, 1923, and emigrated to United States with her family in 1928. Her parents were Pedro and Francesca Castro.[2]
After moving, the family lived in River Rouge, Michigan,[1] where she attended River Rouge High School.[3]
Career
[edit]Baron started her career in show business as a singer and dancer with Xavier Cugat's orchestra. Billed as Isabelita, she also had her own act in nightclubs in Hollywood.[1]
Starting in 1944, she appeared in several Hollywood films and television series. Her last screen role came in the 1979 film Bitter Heritage, in which her then ex-husband Rory Calhoun starred.[4] She later worked in radio and real estate.[2]
Personal life
[edit]In 1948, Baron married Hollywood actor Rory Calhoun. The couple had three daughters: Cindy, Tami, and Lori. Baron and Calhoun divorced in 1970, and she cited his multiple extramarital affairs as one of the reasons for the separation.[5]
Baron supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election.[6]
Death
[edit]Baron died in Palm Springs, California, on December 16, 2015, at age 92. The cause of death was complications from a fall, which had resulted in a broken hip.[4]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | That's My Baby! | Isabelita | |
| 1945 | Pan-Americana | Lupita | |
| The Gay Senorita | Chiquita | ||
| Club Havana | Isabelita | ||
| 1946 | Slightly Scandalous | Lola | |
| High School Hero | Chi-Chi | ||
| Don Ricardo Returns | Dorothea | ||
| 1947 | That's My Gal | Isabelita | |
| 1948 | Jungle Jim | Zia | |
| 1949 | Border Incident | Rosita | Uncredited |
| Bomba on Panther Island | Losana | ||
| 1951 | Savage Drums | Sari | |
| 1954 | Jesse James' Women | Delta | |
| 1955 | The Treasure of Pancho Villa | Birdcage Flirt in Plaza | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Red Sundown | Maria | |
| The Broken Star | Conchita Alvarado | ||
| 1960 | Compadece al delincuente | flamenco dance couple | |
| 1979 | Bitter Heritage | La Madre | (final film role) |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Lentz, Harris M. III (2016). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2015. McFarland. ISBN 9781476625539. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
- ^ a b "Lita Baron". The Desert Sun. January 17, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ "High School Dancer". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. January 6, 1940. p. 20. Retrieved March 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Barnes, Mike (January 14, 2016). "Lita Baron, Spanish-Born Actress and Nightclub Performer, Dies at 92". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ Vallance, Tom (May 3, 1999). "Obituary: Rory Calhoun". The Independent. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
- ^ Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics. ISBN 9781107650282.
External links
[edit]
- Lita Baron at IMDb
| International | |
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| National | |
