Actor. Born in Durango, Mexico, he was the son of a prosperous dentist. He left Mexico with his family at the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, eventually settling in Los Angeles, California. He left Los Angeles for a time, moving to New York City, New York and working as a singing waiter and other odd jobs before returning to Hollywood. After working as an usher in a movie house, he decided he liked movies and would give acting a try. He made his film debut in 1918 in "The Little American", starring Mary Pickford. He continued to get work as an extra appearing in many films. He continued in bit parts for over five years until director Rex Ingram cast him in "The Prisoner of Zenda". Ingram was also the man who changed his last name to Novarro. Ramon Novarro worked with Ingram for his next four films and would be teamed again with Ingram's wife, Alice Terry in the 1922 movie "Scaramouche". It was during this time that Rudolph Valentino's popularity as "The Sheik" took off and Hollywood became enamoured with the 'Latin Lover'-type of hero. Ramon Novarro's career became successful after this with such films as "The Student Prince" with Norma Shearer and "Where The Pavement Ends". He was then cast in his most famous role as the lead role in "Ben Hur" (1925). Novarro was one of the few who survived the revolution of talking pictures, thanks to a superior singing voice. His career continued as he made many films throughout the 1930s with leading ladies such as Greta Garbo and Myrna Loy, but by 1938, he was reduced to appearing in low-budget features. He made a successful reappearance in 1949 with a role in a film with John Garfield and Jennifer Jones, but despite talks of a comeback, he was again reduced to cameos. His reputation as a screen idol was marred by a gruesome death. On Halloween Eve 1968, he was brutally murdered in his own home.
Actor. Born in Durango, Mexico, he was the son of a prosperous dentist. He left Mexico with his family at the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910, eventually settling in Los Angeles, California. He left Los Angeles for a time, moving to New York City, New York and working as a singing waiter and other odd jobs before returning to Hollywood. After working as an usher in a movie house, he decided he liked movies and would give acting a try. He made his film debut in 1918 in "The Little American", starring Mary Pickford. He continued to get work as an extra appearing in many films. He continued in bit parts for over five years until director Rex Ingram cast him in "The Prisoner of Zenda". Ingram was also the man who changed his last name to Novarro. Ramon Novarro worked with Ingram for his next four films and would be teamed again with Ingram's wife, Alice Terry in the 1922 movie "Scaramouche". It was during this time that Rudolph Valentino's popularity as "The Sheik" took off and Hollywood became enamoured with the 'Latin Lover'-type of hero. Ramon Novarro's career became successful after this with such films as "The Student Prince" with Norma Shearer and "Where The Pavement Ends". He was then cast in his most famous role as the lead role in "Ben Hur" (1925). Novarro was one of the few who survived the revolution of talking pictures, thanks to a superior singing voice. His career continued as he made many films throughout the 1930s with leading ladies such as Greta Garbo and Myrna Loy, but by 1938, he was reduced to appearing in low-budget features. He made a successful reappearance in 1949 with a role in a film with John Garfield and Jennifer Jones, but despite talks of a comeback, he was again reduced to cameos. His reputation as a screen idol was marred by a gruesome death. On Halloween Eve 1968, he was brutally murdered in his own home.
Bio by: Marta Monk
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Silent screen star. Cause of Death: murdered
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