Rodolfo Valentino, biography of the actor of Italian origin

Rodolfo Valentino, biography of the actor of Italian origin in the post edited

In primordial times, black and white cinema was represented by characters of absolute symbolism. As a novice , Rudolph Valentino already had such a hold on the public and on the camera to such an extent that he was considered one of the greatest ever. In the series, when talent is so evident that no one can criticize it or fail to notice that it is a real phenomenon.

One of the most popular interpreters of the so-called silent cinema, conceived between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. He lived with a certain fame as a Latin Lover for the qualities he recognized as a great seducer, on and off the set.

Let’s see the life and some curiosities about the myth of the actor of Italian origin, Rodolfo Valentino, in the post dedicated to the biographies of famous actors, edited by our portal. 

The beginnings of Rudolph Valentino

Rodolfo Valentino, pseudonym of Rodolfo Pietro Filiberto Raffaello Guglielmi, was one of the first famous actors in the history of cinema. He was born in Castellaneta, in the province of Taranto , back in May 6, 1895. Italian father and mother of French origins. A multi-ethnicity, at that time in Southern Italy not really frequent, which will help him to overcome moments of difficulty, especially when he is a child.

Childhood and adolescence were anything but smooth and smooth. A rather eventful life as a boy, shaken by the untimely death of his father . Physical problems torment him to such an extent that he is frequently teased by his schoolmates. Today it would be almost absurd to think about it today, but in reality it is just like that: it is mocked because it is considered ugly!

The experience in Paris as a vacationer from a personal point of view puts him in the green, but from a professional point of view, however, it is very formative. Here he rides his extraordinary skills as a dancer . Precisely to feed this inner dream he decides to leave Italy permanently and emigrate to America.

The landing in America of Rodolfo Valentino

The land of dreams that come true. He reached New York in 1913 and in those years he did not sail in gold, far from it. For this reason he has to make do with makeshift trades such as waiter and gardener. He manages to find a job as a paid dancer in a night club, a profession that in those years began to be more and more widespread. He makes another move, this time to San Francisco , where he is given the opportunity to be part of a theater company . A good start.

In practice, his cinematographic journey begins here. In Hollywood, which becomes his second home, he plays extra roles in second-rate films. ” The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse “, dated 1921 and the film that launched him into the media limelight of the time.

Beyond his acting skills, and above all the look and presence of a great storyteller to make him particularly desired among the female audience . A real catalyst in mass culture. If you think about what he was mocked for in the past, it almost makes you smile. But life never ceases to amaze.

From there he assumes the undeniable ideal recognition of a legendary male icon , even in the following years. A symbol of style and fashion, among other things. His most successful films were “The Sheik”, “Blood and Sand”, “Black Eagle”.

Often and willingly he finds himself in the role of the somewhat rebellious but at the same time romantic hero, able to balance the equally magnetism produced by the protagonist.

Rudolph Valentino’s villa put up for auction

The so-called “ Hawk’s Nest ” villa , which he himself bought in Beverly Hills, represents one of his most impressive relics. A sumptuous and luxurious residence that fully represents the character outside of professional life. Rather rich in possessions that Rudolph Valentino loves to flaunt, the actor also has a great passion for horses.

The plaintiff’s residence is auctioned later to pay the debts accumulated by the same, due to the same possessions mentioned above.

Death occurred on August 23, 1926 in his second home, New York from peritonitis. He is only 31 years old and he is at the peak of his cinematic success. His latest film, the son of the sheikh, is released posthumously after the actor’s death.

The fame of Rudolph Valentino as a Latin lover

As mentioned, Rodolfo Valentino was a Latin lover at the highest level. Which is why he has won over many women in his life. A love life that produces two marriages , both lasted like the blink of an eye.

It is said that the good Rodolfo also had homosexual relationships. More than someone argues, at the time, that the marriages mentioned above were only a clever cover to hide his true love life, evidently oriented towards something else.

It seems that his close friendship with the director who launched him on the big screen, Rex Ingram, was much more than just a friendship.

Accusations of bisexuality have always accompanied the controversial existence of Rudolph Valentino, who contains all these scoops in a private diary that came to light after his death.

But whether he is homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual makes no difference: Rudolph Valentino in his short life managed to become a legend still remembered today. 

Filmography Rudolph Valentino

We leave you to the films played by Rudolph Valentino, in chronological order. See you next time with the biographies of famous actors, by CineMagazine!

1. Donna che ama (The Battle of the Sexes), directed by David Wark Griffith – (extra, uncredited) (1914)
2. My Official Wife, regia di James Young (1914)
3. The Corsair, directed by Maurizio Rava (1916)
4. The Quest of Life, regia di Ashley Miller (1916)
5. The Foolish Virgin, by Albert Capellani – uncredited (1916)
6. Seventeen, directed by Robert G. Vignola – uncredited (1916)
7. The Secret Service (Patria), directed by Jacques Jaccard, Leopold Wharton, Theodore Wharton – serial (1917)
8. Alimony, directed by Emmett J. Flynn – uncredited (1917)
9. A Society Sensation, directed by Paul Powell (1918)
10. In bed, guys! (All Night), by Paul Powell (1918)
11. The Married Virgin, also known as Frivolous Wives, directed by Joseph Maxwell (1918)
12. The Homebreaker, by Victor Schertzinger (1919)
13. La diva del Tabarin (The Delicious Little Devil), by Robert Z. Leonard (1919)
14. The Big Little Person, regia di Robert Z. Leonard (1919)
15. Virtuous Sinners, directed by Emmett J. Flynn (1919)
16. A Rogue’s Romance, by James Young (1919)
17. Nobody Home, by Elmer Clifton (1919)
18. Eyes of Youth, regia di Albert Parker (1919)
19. Passion’s Playground, regia di J.A. Barry (1920)
20. An Adventuress, also known as The Isle of Love, directed by Fred J. Balshofer (1920)
21. The Cheater, directed by Henry Otto (uncredited) (1920)
22. Once to Every Woman, by Allen Holubar (1920)
23. The Wonderful Chance, regia di George Archainbaud (1920)
24. Stolen Moments, regal di James Vincent (1920)
25. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, by Rex Ingram (1921)
26. Uncharted Seas, also known as Uncharted Sea, directed by Wesley Ruggles (1921)
27. The human comedy (The Conquering Power, also known as Eugenie Grandet), by Rex Ingram (1921)
28. The Lady of the Camellias (Camille), by Ray C. Smallwood (1921) with Alla Nazimova, Rex Cherryman and Patsy Ruth Miller
29. The Sheik, by George Melford (1921)
30. Moran of the Lady Letty, by George Melford (1922)
31. The Age of Love (Beyond the Rocks), by Sam Wood (1922)
32. Blood and Sand, by Fred Niblo (1922)
33. The Young Rajah, by Phil Rosen (1922)
34. Monsieur Beaucaire, regia of Sidney Olcott (1924)
35. Wedding Night (A Sainted Devil), by Joseph Henabery (1924)
36. The Hooded Falcon
37. L’aquila, also known as Aquila nera (The Eagle), by Clarence Brown (1925)
38. Cobra, regal at Joseph Henabery (1925)
39. The Son of the Sheik, by George Fitzmaurice (1926)