Who was Myrtle Gonzalez? Why her name has resurfaced in the recent times?
Myrtle Gonzalez is an American actress. She was an epitome of excellence during her career. People still acclaim her for her contributions towards the entertainment industry. In this article we’ll walk you through her complete life, how she started? How many checkboxes her accomplishments were able to mark? And last but not the least how she is remembered now?
In few moments, you’ll be bombarded with back to back milestones. Don’t say then, you were not told. Let’s move forward.
Biography of Myrtle Gonzalez
| Real Name | Myrtle Gonzalez |
| Birth Date | September 28, 1891 |
| Birth Place | Guadalajara, Mexico |
| Age | 27 Years Old (Upon Death) |
| Death Date | October 22, 1918 |
| Death Place | 908 West Thirtieth Street, Los Angeles, USA |
| Parents | Father: Manuel George Gonzalez (1868-1919)Mother: Lillian L. Cook (1874-1932) |
| Siblings | Stella M. Gonzalez (1892 -1965)Manuel G. Gonzalez Jr. (1898 – unknown) |
| Ethnicity | Hispanic-Irish |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Education | Not Disclosed |
| Height | 5 feet & 4 inches (approx.) |
| Weight | Not Disclosed |
| Net Worth | $3.75 Million(Estimated) |
In 1891, Myrtle Gonzalez was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 1892, pair Manuel George Gonzalez & Lillian L. Cook moved to Los Angeles, USA. Both of Gonzalez’s parents migrated to California to establish their future. Her mother is an Irish opera singer and her father is a Hispanic grocery retailer.
She being the youngest, had 2 siblings Stella M. Gonzalez and Manuel G. Gonzalez Jr. Her education has never been disclosed. From her early childhood till her death, she had been showcased as a legacy in acting.
To know further about her marvelous career, Keep scrolling!
Career of Myrtle Gonzalez: Revolution of Silent Acting!
Gonzalez was raised in LA which was the hub for cinema at the time, giving her an edge to be able to get involved in acting since her childhood. Initially at a very tender age she used to mesmerize the audience with her melodious voice as a soprano in church choirs as well as in theatres. But slowly it turned from theatre to something bigger. Let’s find out what do I intend by that?
In 1911, Gonzalez had her very first movie called Ghost. In 1913, turned 21, she made her debuted in a film as a silent actor. She was signed by Vitagraph & Universal studios. She started with dramas like Her Husband’s Friend (in 1913). In 1914, she was spotted in several dramas like “Tainted Money”, “Captain Alvarez”, “Millions for Defence” & “The Kiss”.
On November 23, 1914, she acted in a short movie “The Level”. In 1917, she had a cameo appearance in a movie called “The Immigrant” by D.W. Griffith. Her expressions made her boundless to the limitations of the silent movies.
In total, She was featured in at least 80 movies from 1913 – 1917. Towards the end of her career before her demise (in 1918) she played roles in the films with the stories of woodlands.
As you can tell by this prolific career, she was a woman of many talents. She played a very diverse array of characters from comedy to be a lead heroin or even a villain. She is also known to have performed stunts in her movies herself due to her athletic training.
All of her movies and dramas are impossible to include in this blog, the idea here is to give you a glimpse of how Myrtle Gonzalez lived and what has she left in this world?
Marital Life of Myrtle Gonzalez
| First Marriage | James Parks Jones |
| Child | Son – James Parks Jones Jr. |
| Second Marriage | Allen Watt |
In 1910, Myrtle Gonzalez had her first marriage to James Parks Jones (1890 – 1950). He was also an actor in silent films. She had a child from this marriage called James Park Jones Jr. (1911 – 1970). Later on, the marriage crumpled due to some unclear personal differences.
Following her separation, she came across an assistant director at Universal studios, Allen Watt. On December 1, 1917, Myrtle tied the knot for the second time with Allen Watt (1885 – 1944). This marriage again met its ill – fate with Gonzalez’s death on October 22, 1918.
Achievements of Myrtle Gonzalez
In 1919, Photoplay Magazine awarded her with “Bronze Plaque” for “The Mexican”. In 1920, Alma de Mexico Magazine declared her “The Most Beautiful Woman in Mexico”. In 1960, she was also honored with a star of Hollywood Walk of Fame, speaking volumes about her contributions in the entertainment industry. She has been named as “The Virgin White Lily of the Screen” by a magazine.
She also holds the title of the first silver screen female actor & Latin Model. She was given posthumous Oscar, due to her diverse characters in the industry.
In the recent times, history has silently reminded us of this forgotten star. On November 23, 2022, after more than a century of “The Level”, Gonzalez was honored in a Google Doodle, United States. The Doodle was created by an artist called Ana Ramirez Gonzalez. The Doodle illustrates, Myrtle performing a scene for her movie in 3 feet layer of snow.
Demise of Myrtle Gonzalez: An Everlasting Mystique!
In 1918, there was an outbreak of a global Spanish Flu pandemic. The pandemic didn’t even spare the acclaimed actress. At the age of 27, she succumbed to the pandemic in her parent’s house.
Sources also claim that she died because of a cardiac arrest during her stunt performance as she had been diagnosed with a heart ailment 3 years prior, Fregoso.
Myrtle Gonzalez: Embarking a Legacy!
Prejudice has always lingered in every society all across the world. Gonzalez also came across the white centered Hollywood and embraced it, without uttering a single word. Isn’t it mindboggling? Her silent stardom says a great deal, talent doesn’t come from roots.
She also shattered the typical surfacing stereotypes at the time. If we put it this way that Gonzalez was one of the first persons truly introducing the concept of inclusivity in the first place, I believe it won’t be wrong!
Conclusion
Myrtle Gonzalez is an unforgettable icon. She has showed the importance of resilience through the relentless approach in her career. Her work still revives the beauty of simplicity of mere actions. Her footprints can never fade from the Hollywood’s history.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Myrtle Gonalez?
Ans. She is an actress from the silent era movies of Hollywood.
Q2. How she died at which age?
Ans. She died of the Spanish Flu epidemic at the age of 27.
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