Remembering Iconic Star Raquel Welch: One Million Years BC Actress Passes Away at 82
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The world lost an icon on Wednesday, as one of Hollywood’s iconic stars, Raquel Welch, passed away at the age of 82 after a brief battle with illness.
Her representative, Stephen LaManna of the talent agency Innovative Artists, confirmed her death, confirming that the actress 'passed away peacefully'.
The star of film, television and stage was considered a ‘sex symbol’ of the 60s and was best known for iconic roles in One Million Years BC, Bedazzled, Myra Breckinridge, The Three Musketeers, and a memorable appearance in Seinfeld.
Her long career began in the 60s when she was cast in the sci-fi classic Fantastic Voyage in 1966. This instantly established Raquel as one of Hollywood's ‘hottest stars’, and her career only skyrocketed from there.
'My co-star was Stephen Boyd, who was not hard on the eyes. I had a terrible crush on him. I was too scared to say anything about it because it was my first big movie with Fox, and I was in with a lot of heavyweights,' Welch said about her role in the film.
'I had one really important line to say, and it was something to do with oxygenation, which I had written down on a piece of scenery so I could glance at it before they called me. It was kind of silly.'
Just months after Fantastic Voyage, Raquel made her famous appearance in the prehistoric drama One Million Years BC. While she only had a few lines in the movie, her bikini-clad image took the world by storm and made her a global sex symbol.
'I just thought it was a goofy dinosaur epic we’d be able to sweep under the carpet one day,' she told The Associated Press in 1981.
'Wrong. It turned out that I was the Bo Derek of the season, the lady in the loin cloth about whom everyone said, “my god, what a bod,” and they expected I’d disappear overnight.'
Little did anyone know at the time, Welch was just getting started...
Throughout the 70s and 80s, Raquel continued to make waves with stellar performances in a variety of films. She impressed many with her talent, particularly in the 1974 movie The Three Musketeers which earned her a Golden Globe.
Welch, who was born on September 5, 1940, showed an early interest in performance by competing in ballet and beauty pageants. She then received a theatre arts scholarship to attend San Diego State College and appeared in several regional theatre shows.
And while she enjoyed great success as a ‘sex symbol’, she stayed true to her roots becoming a renowned actress as well.
Her portrayal of strong female characters was credited with reshaping the stereotype of the traditional sex symbol and blurring the stereotype of ‘sexy actresses’ in Hollywood.
Welch was also a critically acclaimed singer and dancer and had appeared on Broadway twice during her career. In 1981, she played the lead role in Woman of the Year, followed by Victor/Victoria in 1997.
In 2013, Welch was honoured by Men’s Health as the second Hottest Woman of All Time, behind 1962’s Marilyn Monroe, with her famous One Million Years BC bikini gracing the cover.
Not only did she bring beauty to the big screen, but Raquel was also a successful businesswoman and launched a successful line of wigs in recent years.
She appeared in more than 30 films, 50 television shows, and other projects during the course of her more than 50-year career.
She is survived by her two children, son Damon Welch, and daughter Tahnee Welch.
As we look back over her life’s work, it’s clear no one can leave a legacy quite like Raquel Welch. From her timeless pinup image to her powerful screen presence, it’s no wonder she is remembered as one of cinema's greatest icons.
We'd like to pay tribute to the incredible legacy that Raquel Welch created with her beautiful performances, and her strength as a powerful role model to generations of women.
Are you a fan of Raquel Welch? What are your favourite films by the late actress? Share them with us in the comments below!
Her representative, Stephen LaManna of the talent agency Innovative Artists, confirmed her death, confirming that the actress 'passed away peacefully'.
The star of film, television and stage was considered a ‘sex symbol’ of the 60s and was best known for iconic roles in One Million Years BC, Bedazzled, Myra Breckinridge, The Three Musketeers, and a memorable appearance in Seinfeld.
Her long career began in the 60s when she was cast in the sci-fi classic Fantastic Voyage in 1966. This instantly established Raquel as one of Hollywood's ‘hottest stars’, and her career only skyrocketed from there.
Renowned ‘global sex symbol’ and actress Raquel Welch passed away at the age of 82. Credit: Shutterstock.
'My co-star was Stephen Boyd, who was not hard on the eyes. I had a terrible crush on him. I was too scared to say anything about it because it was my first big movie with Fox, and I was in with a lot of heavyweights,' Welch said about her role in the film.
'I had one really important line to say, and it was something to do with oxygenation, which I had written down on a piece of scenery so I could glance at it before they called me. It was kind of silly.'
Just months after Fantastic Voyage, Raquel made her famous appearance in the prehistoric drama One Million Years BC. While she only had a few lines in the movie, her bikini-clad image took the world by storm and made her a global sex symbol.
'I just thought it was a goofy dinosaur epic we’d be able to sweep under the carpet one day,' she told The Associated Press in 1981.
'Wrong. It turned out that I was the Bo Derek of the season, the lady in the loin cloth about whom everyone said, “my god, what a bod,” and they expected I’d disappear overnight.'
Little did anyone know at the time, Welch was just getting started...
Throughout the 70s and 80s, Raquel continued to make waves with stellar performances in a variety of films. She impressed many with her talent, particularly in the 1974 movie The Three Musketeers which earned her a Golden Globe.
Welch, who was born on September 5, 1940, showed an early interest in performance by competing in ballet and beauty pageants. She then received a theatre arts scholarship to attend San Diego State College and appeared in several regional theatre shows.
And while she enjoyed great success as a ‘sex symbol’, she stayed true to her roots becoming a renowned actress as well.
Her portrayal of strong female characters was credited with reshaping the stereotype of the traditional sex symbol and blurring the stereotype of ‘sexy actresses’ in Hollywood.
Welch was also a critically acclaimed singer and dancer and had appeared on Broadway twice during her career. In 1981, she played the lead role in Woman of the Year, followed by Victor/Victoria in 1997.
In 2013, Welch was honoured by Men’s Health as the second Hottest Woman of All Time, behind 1962’s Marilyn Monroe, with her famous One Million Years BC bikini gracing the cover.
Not only was she recognised as a 'bombshell', she was also praised for her superb acting skills. Credit: Shutterstock.
Not only did she bring beauty to the big screen, but Raquel was also a successful businesswoman and launched a successful line of wigs in recent years.
She appeared in more than 30 films, 50 television shows, and other projects during the course of her more than 50-year career.
She is survived by her two children, son Damon Welch, and daughter Tahnee Welch.
As we look back over her life’s work, it’s clear no one can leave a legacy quite like Raquel Welch. From her timeless pinup image to her powerful screen presence, it’s no wonder she is remembered as one of cinema's greatest icons.
We'd like to pay tribute to the incredible legacy that Raquel Welch created with her beautiful performances, and her strength as a powerful role model to generations of women.
Are you a fan of Raquel Welch? What are your favourite films by the late actress? Share them with us in the comments below!
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