Raquel Welch, the American actor and ‘60s pin-up icon, has died at present (February 15) on the age of 82, her household have confirmed.
The star died at her residence in Los Angeles, her son Damon mentioned. No reason behind loss of life has been made public at current.
Welch was born Jo-Raquel Tejada in Chicago on September 5, 1940, earlier than her household moved to southern California when she was two years outdated. She studied theatre at San Diego State Faculty however dropped out to marry her then-boyfriend and later acquired a job as a climate reader on the TV channel KFMB.
Though she had a number of small elements in movies and TV sequence earlier than, Welch rose to fame in 1966 when she scored the position of Loana in One Million Years B.C. Her look on the movie’s poster in a doeskin bikini reworked her right into a Hollywood pin-up, though she turned higher recognized for her appears than her performing expertise.
Nonetheless, in 1973 she received a Golden Globe for Greatest Movement Image Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her position as Constance Bonacieux in The Three Musketeers. She reprised the position a yr later within the sequel, The 4 Musketeers.
She later went on to look in movies like Chairman Of The Board and Legally Blonde, whereas on the small display screen, she had a cameo in Seinfeld, in addition to elements in Sabrina The Teenage Witch, American Household, 8 Easy Guidelines and extra. Her ultimate roles got here in 2017 when she performed Celeste Birch within the movie How To Be A Latin Lover and Rosa within the comedy-drama TV present Date My Dad.
In 2010, she printed a memoir titled Past The Cleavage. “Personally, I at all times hated feeling so uncovered and susceptible [in romantic scenes],” she wrote in it, discussing her refusal to do nude scenes on movie.
“I’ve positively used my physique and intercourse attraction to benefit in my work, however at all times inside limits. I reserve some issues for my non-public life, and they don’t seem to be on the market.”
“So unhappy to listen to about Raquel Welch’s passing,” Reese Witherspoon wrote on Twitter following the information of Welch’s loss of life. “I liked working along with her on Legally Blonde. She was elegant , skilled and glamorous past perception. Merely gorgeous. Might all her angels carry her residence. Sending like to her household and her many followers.”
So unhappy to listen to about Raquel Welch’s passing. I liked working along with her on Legally Blonde. She was elegant , skilled and glamorous past perception. Merely gorgeous. Might all her angels carry her residence. 🕊️ Sending like to her household and her many followers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FBtXhpvS25
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) February 15, 2023
See extra tributes beneath.
The enduring Raquel Welch left the planet at present. She was the forerunner of feminine energy within the films. She created a distinct segment for herself that wasn’t nearly bodily magnificence, it was extra about equality. She represented it, and we liked her for it RIP. pic.twitter.com/Akgopt8Oyd
— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) February 15, 2023
I do know she’s well-known for greater/extra notable issues (inventing the bikini principally) however for me, Shake Your Whammy Fanny is endlessly burned on my mind. RIP Raquel Welch 💔 pic.twitter.com/vJaNZ8ijpx
— Tom Aspaul (@tom_aspaul) February 15, 2023
I’ve Raquel Welch to thank for turning into a extra assured comic. On The Muppet Present, she helped decide me up once I was down and he or she was somebody I may speak in confidence to. Thanks for being my good friend, Raquel.
— Fozzie Bear (@FozzieBear) February 15, 2023
RIP to American cinema icon RAQUEL WELCH, who has died on the age of 82 💐 Well-known for her back-to-back roles in films FANTASTIC VOYAGE and ONE MILLION YEARS B.C., each in 1966, a technology got here of age when she starred in 1972 traditional KANSAS CITY BOMBER pic.twitter.com/bB8HwKKiQW
— Rhino Information (@Rhino_Records) February 15, 2023
We’ll always remember our exceptional good friend Raquel Welch, one in every of our favourite company on The Muppet Present. From dancing with a large spider, to inspiring @FozzieBear, and duetting with @MissPiggy, Raquel may do all of it! pic.twitter.com/1Rzk9PbTwr
— The Muppets (@TheMuppets) February 15, 2023
Raquel Welch was one of the crucial fantastic folks I’ve ever labored with. Performing a duet along with her on The Muppet Present helped moi grow to be the W-O-M-A-N I’m at present! We’ll always remember vous, Raquel! pic.twitter.com/fo0saG7EiD
— Miss Piggy (@MissPiggy) February 15, 2023