Tell me a bio of Lupe Vélez.

Include key facts about their life, career, achievements, and impact.

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**Lupe Vélez: A Trailblazing Actress and Dancer**

Born on July 18, 1908, in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, María Guadalupe Villalobos Vélez, known professionally as Lupe Vélez, was a Mexican-American actress, dancer, and singer. She was a pioneering figure in Hollywood's Golden Age, known for her energetic and charismatic performances on screen.

**Early Life and Career**

Vélez began her career as a dancer in Mexico City, performing in various stage productions and vaudeville shows. In 1925, she moved to the United States, where she worked as a chorus girl in Broadway shows and eventually landed a contract with Paramount Pictures.

**Rise to Fame**

Vélez's breakthrough role came in 1927 with the film "The Desert Bride," which led to a series of successful films, including "The Mexican" (1928) and "The Wild Party" (1929). Her energetic and vivacious performances earned her the nickname "The Mexican Spitfire."

**Achievements and Impact**

Throughout her career, Vélez appeared in over 30 films, including "The Vamp" (1935), "Dance Girl Dance" (1937), and "Mexican Spitfire" (1940). She was one of the first Latinx actresses to achieve mainstream success in Hollywood, paving the way for future generations of Latinx performers.

Vélez was also a trailblazer in terms of her personal life. She was known for her fiery personality and her numerous high-profile romances, including a marriage to actor Johnny Weissmuller, the "Tarzan" star.

**Personal Life and Tragic Death**

Vélez's personal life was marked by turmoil and tragedy. She struggled with addiction and was known for her volatile relationships. On December 7, 1944, Vélez died under mysterious circumstances at the age of 36. She was found dead in her apartment, with a single bullet wound to the head. The official cause of death was listed as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, but many have speculated that her death was actually a homicide.

**Legacy**

Despite her tragic death, Lupe Vélez's legacy continues to inspire and influence artists to this day. She remains a beloved figure in Mexican-American culture, and her films continue to be celebrated for their energy, charm, and historical significance. Vélez's pioneering spirit and trailblazing achievements have paved the way for future generations of Latinx performers, ensuring that her impact will be felt for years to come.
María Guadalupe Villalobos (December 18, 1908 - December 13, 1944), better known as Lupe Vélez, was a Mexican-American actress, singer, and dancer of the 1920s and 1930s. She is considered one of the first Hispanic women to achieve international success in Hollywood.

**Early Life:**

Born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, Vélez began her career in show business at a young age, performing in Mexican vaudeville, film, and theater productions. Her family emigrated to the United States when she was just a teenager, settling in Los Angeles.

**Career:**

Vélez's career in Hollywood began in the 1920s, where she initially worked as a chorus girl and dancer. She quickly transitioned to film, signing with Paramount Pictures in 1927. Her breakthrough role came in 1929 with "The Desert Bride," a Western film that showcased her acting abilities. Throughout the 1930s, Vélez appeared in numerous films, often typecast as a Latin temptress or femme fatale. Her most notable roles include "Three Wise Girls" (1932), "Miss Strawberry" (1935), and "Flying Down to Rio" (1933), a musical comedy starring Dolores del Río and Fred Astaire.

**Achievements:**

Lupe Vélez's achievements extend beyond her on-screen presence. She was a trailblazer for Hispanic women in Hollywood, paving the way for future generations of Latinx actresses. Some notable achievements include:

* Being one of the first Hispanic women to sign with a major Hollywood studio (Paramount Pictures, 1927)
* Appearing in over 30 films during her career
* Winning a contract with the prestigious Warner Bros. studio in 1936
* Hosting her own radio show, "The Lupe Vélez Show," in 1938

**Impact:**

Lupe Vélez's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry is multifaceted:

* Paved the way for future generations of Latinx actresses, such as Rita Hayworth, Dolores del Río, and Salma Hayek
* Helped popularize Latin American music, dance, and culture in Hollywood
* Influenced the "sirena" (mermaid) character archetype, a seductive and alluring female figure
* Remains a beloved and iconic figure in Mexican-American culture

**Personal Life:**

Vélez's personal life was marked by both excitement and tragedy. She married three times, including actors John Lloyd and Tony Martinez, and entrepreneur Arthur Landau. However, her marriage to B-movie actor Johnny Weissmuller (of "Tarzan" fame) ended in divorce in 1939. Her subsequent relationship with a German sailor led to a tragic incident on December 13, 1944, where Vélez took an overdose of sleeping pills, believing she was pregnant with the sailor's child. She died the same day, at the age of 35.

Lupe Vélez's legacy continues to inspire and influence the entertainment industry to this day.