Who is Myrtle Gonzalez?
In the beginning world of early 20th century cinema, one young actress captured the public’s imagination, gracing the silver screen with her talent, magnetism, and trailblazing spirit before her career was cut tragically short. That actress was Myrtle Gonzalez.
Though Gonzalez’s film career consisted of just 13 movies in a brief two years, she made an indelible mark as one of silent film’s most luminous leading ladies. After getting her start playing women’s semi-professional baseball. She pivoted to acting in Hollywood, starring alongside era icons like William S. Hart and George Beban.
With her versatile acting chops, artistic flair, and camera-ready poise and beauty. Gonzalez seemed destined for unprecedented fame – until the Spanish Flu epidemic took her life at just age 27.
Myrtle Gonzalez – “The Finest Woman Star in Films Today”
In every film appearance, Gonzalez won praise for her range, expressiveness and magnetic screen presence. Audiences clamored to see more of the rising, multifaceted talent. The 1918 Film Year Book named her “Most Photogenic” and critics deemed her “the finest woman star in films today.”
Tragically, it all ended abruptly in 1918 when Gonzalez contracted influenza during the devastating Spanish Flu pandemic. Just two days after she walked down the aisle with pioneering aviator M.B. Gilbert, Gonzalez died of pneumonia on October 7, 1918.
Though her life and career were painfully cut short, Gonzalez’s contributions still echo. She furthered opportunities for Latinas in film, preceded later artists like Dolores Del Rio, and brought visibility to women athletes. As film scholar Mark Lynn Anderson notes: “Her memory might spur us to imagine how much more she could have achieved if there had been greater access, opportunity and equality.”
Myrtle Gonzalez packed a wealth of artistry and inspiration into her brief 27 years. Had she lived longer, there’s no limit to the greater impact she could have made.
From Ballplayer to Breakout Star
Born in Chicago in 1891, Gonzalez made waves as a standout first baseman and hitter, touring with barnstorming women’s baseball teams from 1909-1913. When health issues like tendonitis shortened her sports career, she fell back on her artistic hobbies like costume design, painting and acting.
Gonzalez’s acting bug brought her to California where she landed bit film parts starting in 1915. Her role in the 1916 Western “The Half Breed” opposite William S. Hart caught movie producers’ eyes and catapulted her to stardom. In the film, Gonzalez plays a half-Native American, half-white woman struggling to overcome prejudice, showcasing emotional depth many didn’t expect from actresses of her day.
Soon she signed a 3-year contract with film studio Pathé, becoming one of their top leading ladies by 1917. That year she acted in nine feature films, most opposite Hollywood’s biggest male stars. Her busy filming schedule also included stunt work, screenwriting script treatments and creating her own costumes and set decor.
Early Life Of Myrtle Gonzalez
Myrtle Gonzalez was born on September 28, 1891 in Los Angeles, California to parents Manuel George Gonzalez and Lillian L. Cook. Her father came from a long line of Hispanic Californios, descendants of the early Spanish settlers in California before it became part of the United States. Her mother was the daughter of immigrants from Ireland.
Myrtle Gonzalez Acted in Juvenile
Even from early childhood, Myrtle displayed a remarkable talent and passion for the performing arts. She had a lovely soprano singing voice and appeared in many local concerts, benefits and church choirs. Myrtle also acted in juvenile parts on stage alongside famous actresses like Fanny Davenport and Florence Stone, gaining valuable early experience that paved the way for her later film career.
Growing up in the culturally diverse environment of Los Angeles at the turn of the century likely influenced the artistic development of young Myrtle. She became completely fluent in both English and Spanish. When she entered the fledgling film industry as a young adult, Myrtle was ready to take Hollywood by storm.
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Family BackGround of Myrtle Gonzalez
Myrtle’s family background provided her with a rich cultural heritage that undoubtedly influenced her artistic sensibilities. Her father made his living as a retail grocer, while her mother was a former opera and popular singer. Myrtle had two siblings – an older sister named Stella and a younger brother named Manuel Jr.
Around 1910, Myrtle married a man named James Parks Jones and gave birth to a son, James Parks Jones Jr. However, the marriage did not last long. By 1915, Myrtle had divorced her first husband. This early marriage at a young age interrupted but did not derail the ambitious actress from continuing to pursue her passion for the stage and screen.
What was Myrtle Gonzalez’s role in “the level”?
We have key details about Myrtle Gonzalez’s role in the 1914 silent film “The Level”:
– In “The Level”, Gonzalez played the lead female role of Enid Maitland opposite actor William Duncan.
– It was a six-reel feature length drama produced by Vitagraph Studios.
– The film helped establish Gonzalez as one of early Hollywood’s first Latin and Hispanic movie stars.
– Her portrayal of Enid Maitland was considered one of her most famous and celebrated roles from her prolific yet brief acting career.
– “The Level” was released on November 23, 1914, and was regarded as one of Gonzalez’s best known and most acclaimed films.
So in summary, in the key 1914 film “The Level”, Myrtle Gonzalez played the lead role of Enid Maitland which highlighted her talents and helped cement her status as a pioneering Latinx movie star in the silent era. Her performance was critically praised and the movie remains one of her most notable works.
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Her Marriage With Allen Watt
In 1917, Myrtle married for a second time to actor and director Allen Watt. The two had met while working together in the film industry. Their marriage seemed to provide happiness, but sadly lasted only little more than a year before Myrtle’s shockingly premature death of influenza in 1918 at age 27.
Even with only a short career spanning barely five years, Myrtle Gonzalez left an indelible mark on early Hollywood. She overcame prejudice to become one of the first major Latina stars of silent movies. The artistic little girl from Los Angeles used her talent, intelligence and determination to successfully break down barriers for Hispanic actors. The enduring legacy of her brief but influential life continues to inspire future generations today.
Where Myrtle Gonzalez was Born?
- Born on September 28, 1891 in Los Angeles, California to a Mexican father and Irish mother
- Displayed remarkable dramatic talent from a young age and had a good singing voice
- Performed in local concerts and church choirs before playing juvenile roles on stage
- Married James Parks Jones around 1910, had one son before divorcing
- Began acting career in silent films in 1913, quickly rising to become a popular actress
Personal Life and Relationships
Key aspects of Myrtle Gonzalez’s personal life and relationships:
1: Marriages and Children
– Married James Parks Jones around 1910, had one son named James Parks Jones Jr. (born around 1911), divorced around 1915
– Married actor/director Allen Watt in 1917, retired from acting to be with him, but the climate was bad for her health so they returned to California
2. Affairs/Scandals
– Had an affair with director Herbert Blaché, who was married to pioneering filmmaker Alice Guy-Blaché at the time. The affair led to Herbert and Alice’s divorce in 1922 and was a scandal in Hollywood.
– Rumored to have had a romantic relationship with actor Francis X. Bushman, who was married at the time, but this was never confirmed
3. Discrimination/Stereotyping
– Despite being born in the US, Gonzalez faced discrimination in Hollywood for being Mexican-American. She struggled against being typecast in stereotypical “exotic” roles.
– As one of the first successful Mexican-American actresses, she helped break down barriers and pave the way for more diversity in Hollywood.
Marriages, Affairs, Scandals, and Legacy Of Myrtle Gonzalez
– Details provided above on her two marriages, divorce, affair with Herbert Blaché leading to a scandalous Hollywood divorce
– Rumors of an affair with Francis X. Bushman, though unconfirmed
– Faced stereotyping and discrimination for her Mexican heritage
– Helped break down barriers for diversity in Hollywood
– Her story made her an inspiration for future generations of Latin American/Hispanic actors and actresses.
Career Of Myrtle Gonzalez
– Starred in over 80 silent films between 1913-1917, mostly shorts along with some feature films
– Known for versatility and adventurous roles, often performing her own stunts
– Broke barriers for Latinx actors and expanded roles available to women beyond damsels in distress
– Earned nickname “The Virgin White Lily of the Screen” and was regarded as first Latin American movie star
Controversies Of Myrtle Gonzalez
– Her personal life and two marriages generated some controversy and Hollywood drama
– Faced prejudice over her Mexican heritage from those questioning her skills and talent
Tragically, her promising career was cut short when she died in 1918 at age 27 from the Spanish flu pandemic. However, Gonzalez made great strides for women and Latinx actors in Hollywood’s formative years. Her story continues to motivate and influence future generations of Latina actresses.
What were some of Myrtle Gonzalez’s most famous films?
Some of Myrtle Gonzalez’s most famous films include:
1. The Yellow Streak (1913) – Her film debut and first movie with Vitagraph Studios
2. The Kiss (1914) – A romantic drama she starred in opposite William Desmond Taylor
3. The Secret of the Swamp (1916) and The Girl of Lost Lake (1916) – Two Universal Studios feature films where she played adventurous, outdoorsy heroines
4. The Level (1914) – One of her best known and most celebrated films, released on November 23, 1914
5. Salomy Jane (1914) – An adaptation of the Bret Harte novel in which Gonzalez showcased her versatility
6. The Spanish Jade (1913) – An early film where Gonzalez played the lead role of Dolores
While many of her films have been lost over time, these titles stand out as among her most notable and famous works during her prolific yet brief career. Gonzalez made a huge impact as one of Hollywood’s first Latina stars and a trailblazing actress in the silent film era.
What was Myrtle Gonzalez’s role in “the level” ?
We have key details about Myrtle Gonzalez’s role in the 1914 silent film “The Level”:
– In “The Level”, Gonzalez played the lead female role of Enid Maitland opposite actor William Duncan.
– It was a six-reel feature length drama produced by Vitagraph Studios.
– The film helped establish Gonzalez as one of early Hollywood’s first Latin and Hispanic movie stars.
– Her portrayal of Enid Maitland was considered one of her most famous and celebrated roles from her prolific yet brief acting career.
– “The Level” was released on November 23, 1914 and was regarded as one of Gonzalez’s best known and most acclaimed films.
So in summary, in the key 1914 film “The Level”, Myrtle Gonzalez played the lead role of Enid Maitland which highlighted her talents and helped cement her status as a pioneering Latinx movie star in the silent era. Her performance was critically praised and the movie remains one of her most notable works.
What other films did Myrtle Gonzalez star in?
Here is a summary of some other films Myrtle Gonzalez starred in:
Short Films (1913-1915)
Over 60 short films, mostly one and two-reelers like “The White Feather”, “Thieves”, “Her Last Flirtation”, “The Ebony Casket”
Feature Films (1915-1917)
- The Chalice of Courage (1915)
- A Romance of Billy Goat Hill (1916)
- The Girl of Lost Lake (1916)
- It Happened in Honolulu (1916)
- The Secret of the Swamp (1916)
- The End of the Rainbow (1916)
- God’s Crucible (1917)
- Mutiny (1917)
- The Greater Law (1917)
- The Showdown (1917)
- Southern Justice (1917)
So finally, in her brief but successful career from 1913-1918, Gonzalez starred in over 78 films – mostly short films early on followed by some feature length movies in her last few years. She worked with studios like Vitagraph, Universal, and Triangle demonstrating her versatility as an actress during the silent film era. Some of her other notable movies beyond “The Level” included “The Chalice of Courage”, “The Girl of Lost Lake”, and “It Happened in Honolulu.
How did Myrtle Gonzalez’s Personal Life affect her career?
We are discussing “how Myrtle Gonzalez’s personal life affected her career” with basically 3 Points:
1: Marriages and Retirement
– Married actor James Parks Jones around 1910, had a son, and divorced around 1915
– Retired from acting in 1917 after marrying director Allen Watt, but returned shortly after due to health issues
2: Discrimination and Typecasting
– Faced discrimination and stereotyping in Hollywood for being Mexican-American
– Struggled against being typecast in exotic or stereotypical roles
– Helped break down barriers for more diversity and opportunities for Hispanic actors
3: Scandals and Controversies
– Had an affair with married director Herbert Blaché, causing a scandalous Hollywood divorce in 1922
– Rumored to have had an affair with actor Francis X. Bushman, who was married at the time, but not confirmed
Her personal relationships and marriages at times intersected with her career, leading to retirement and returns to acting. She also contended with discrimination and some scandals related to alleged affairs, while working to overcome typecasting. Despite these challenges, Gonzalez paved the way for more diversity in Hollywood.
How did Francis X and Myrtle Gonzalez RelationShip Start?
Myrtle Gonzalez and Francis X. Bushman was one of Hollywood’s earliest romantic pairings on screen.
The two silent film stars met while working together on multiple films in 1916 and 1917. As Gonzalez’s first leading man, Bushman helped further establish her as an up-and-coming Hollywood actress after her previous career playing semi-pro baseball.
Chemistry between Both: Onscreen, their palpable chemistry and good looks made them one of the most popular reel couples of their day. However, offscreen there is little evidence to suggest their relationship went beyond a close working friendship.
Bushman and Gonzalez: Both Bushman and Gonzalez were married – Bushman rather unhappily to Josephine Saugstad, and Gonzalez, by all accounts, quite happily to aviation pioneer M.B. Gilbert. Tragically, any possibility of future collaboration between the two ended with Gonzalez’s premature death from influenza in 1918 at age 27, cutting short a career that held incredible promise.
The films they made together live on as an encapsulation of Golden Age Hollywood glamor and star power.
About Myrtle Gonzalez’s Legacy
Here is a summary of key aspects of Myrtle Gonzalez’s legacy:
1: Pioneering Actress of Hollywood
– One of the first successful Mexican-American actresses in the early days of Hollywood
– Helped break down barriers for Hispanic/Latinx actors and paved way for more diversity
– Starred in over 80 silent films from 1913-1918
– Known as “The Virgin White Lily of the Screen” and “La Única” (the unique one)
2: Charity and Advocacy
– Used her fame to support charities and marginalized communities
– Advocate for women’s rights and spoke out against unequal treatment in Hollywood
3: Lasting Impact
– Though her career was tragically cut short, her legacy had a lasting influence on future Latina actresses
– Remains an inspiration for those striving for greater diversity and representation in Hollywood
– Helped pave way for breakthrough stars like Dolores del Río, Rita Moreno, Salma Hayek
When Myrtle Gonzalez Died?
Myrtle Gonzalez died on October 22, 1918 at the age of 27 in Los Angeles, California. The cause of her death was attributed to heart failure brought on by a severe fall she had suffered three years earlier while performing stunts for a film.
However, some sources indicate she died as a result of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic that was raging at the time. The Spanish flu killed millions worldwide in 1918, so it is likely it contributed to or exacerbated her existing heart condition.
Final Words About Myrtle Gonzalez
She was a Fashion Icon. In short she:- Became a fashion icon with her stylish on-screen and off-screen looks.- Inspired many young women during the silent film era with her fashion sense.