 |
Gilbert RolandAmerican film actor
Date of Birth: 11.12.1905
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Gilbert Roland
Gilbert Roland was an American film actor of Mexican descent, whose career spanned nearly 60 years. He was tall, incredibly handsome, and elegant, quickly capturing the female audience's attention. Roland's stage name was a combination of his two favorite actors, John Gilbert and Ruth Roland. His real name was Luis Antonio Dámaso de Alonso. He was born on December 11, 1905, in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and initially intended to become a bullfighter like his father.
Early Career
When his family moved to the United States, Gilbert became interested in acting after being accidentally selected as an extra in the film adaptation of 'Les Misérables' called 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' in 1923. Thanks to his appearance, Roland firmly established himself in the role of the Latin lover in silent films. His younger brother, Francisco Day, became the first Mexican-American accepted into the Directors Guild of America.
Breakthrough
Roland's breakthrough role was as Carl Peters, the love interest of Clara Bow's character, in the comedy 'The Plastic Age' released in 1925. In 1927, he portrayed Armand in 'Camille' alongside Norma Talmadge, with whom he had a romantic relationship. Norma divorced her husband, but lost interest in Gilbert before they could get married. Roland continued to act in several films with Norma until the advent of sound cinema, which unfortunately ended her career. However, Gilbert Roland's deep, powerful, and masculine voice saved his own career, and he continued to appear as a romantic hero.
Later Career
Starting in the 1940s, critics began to take notice of Roland's performances, and he received numerous accolades for his supporting role in the 1949 adventure drama 'We Were Strangers,' directed by John Huston. Some of his successful works include the melodrama 'The Bad and the Beautiful' in 1952, the adventure film 'Thunder Bay' in 1953, and the Western 'Cheyenne Autumn' in 1964.
From 1946 to 1947, Roland starred in a series of films as his character, The Cisco Kid, an American bandit similar to Robin Hood. In 1952, he played Hugo da Silva, a friend of three children who claimed to see the Virgin Mary, in the film 'The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima,' based on the genuine apparition of the Virgin Mary in Fatima, Portugal in 1917.
Roland's last role was as Don Braulio in the 1982 Western film 'Barbarosa.' In the mid-1950s, he frequently appeared on television as a guest star in popular series such as 'Hart to Hart,' 'Barnaby Jones,' 'Kung Fu,' 'The F.B.I.,' 'The Fugitive,' 'Bonanza,' and 'Zorro.'
Personal Life and Legacy
Gilbert Roland's first wife was renowned actress Constance Bennett, with whom he had two daughters, Lorinda and Gyl. They married in 1941 and divorced in 1946. His second marriage was to Guillermina Cantú in 1954, which lasted until his death. Roland did not have any children with Guillermina.
During World War II, he served in the military air forces. Gilbert Roland passed away from cancer on May 15, 1994, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 88. His remains were cremated, and his ashes were scattered at sea. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to the film industry.
