Blanca de Castejon
Encyclopedia
Blanca de Castejón was a Puerto Rican
actress who became very successful in Mexico
and other parts of Latin America
. It was never clear if de Castejon was born in New York
of Puerto Rican parents, or if she was actually born in Puerto Rico.
Castejón went to Argentina
in the 1930s, where she made two feature films between 1934 and 1935. With these two movies, de Castejon established herself as a bonafide celebrity in the so-called south cone. Her fame transcended Argentina; she also made film in Uruguay
at the time.
By 1935, she began searching for fame in Hollywood, making a few movies, where she would speak Spanish
. Her stay in Hollywood lasted for about five years.
During the 1940s, she established herself in Mexico, marrying actor Rafael Banquells
(later the husband of Silvia Pinal
and father of Rocio Banquells
, who, in turn, is the sister of Silvia Pasquel
). In Mexico, de Castejon made about thirty movies, becoming a sex symbol
in that country and a member of Mexico's golden era of film. In 1954, de Castejon won the Ariel award
(Mexico's version of the Oscars
), for supporting actress in School for Bums.
Among the actors she starred with was Antonio Aguilar
and many other famous actors.
Castejon died in 1969.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
actress who became very successful in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and other parts of Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
. It was never clear if de Castejon was born in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
of Puerto Rican parents, or if she was actually born in Puerto Rico.
Biography
Blanca Castejón (b. May 13, 1909, d. 1969) was a Puerto Rican actress, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, who became very successful in Mexico and other parts of Latin America.Castejón went to Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
in the 1930s, where she made two feature films between 1934 and 1935. With these two movies, de Castejon established herself as a bonafide celebrity in the so-called south cone. Her fame transcended Argentina; she also made film in Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
at the time.
By 1935, she began searching for fame in Hollywood, making a few movies, where she would speak Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
. Her stay in Hollywood lasted for about five years.
During the 1940s, she established herself in Mexico, marrying actor Rafael Banquells
Rafael Banquells
Rafael Banquells Garafulla was an actor, director and TV producer known in Mexico as Rafael Banquells.- Biography :...
(later the husband of Silvia Pinal
Silvia Pinal
Silvia Pinal is a Mexican actress, who had roles in several of Luis Buñuel's movies such as El ángel exterminador and Viridiana...
and father of Rocio Banquells
Rocío Banquells
María del Rocío Banquells Nuñez , is a Mexican pop singer and actress, best known for her work on television, the stage and cinema of Mexico and Latin America. Her mezzo voice is one of the most versatile voices from Mexico...
, who, in turn, is the sister of Silvia Pasquel
Silvia Pasquel
Sylvia Pasquel is a Mexican actress.-Biography:Pasquel was born into a show business family: her father, Rafael Banquells, was a famous Cuban-born actor and director. Her mother is Silvia Pinal, an actress very well known throughout Latin America and Spain...
). In Mexico, de Castejon made about thirty movies, becoming a sex symbol
Sex symbol
A sex symbol is a celebrity of either gender, typically an actor, musician, supermodel, teen idol, or sports star, noted for their sex appeal. The term was first used in the mid 1950s in relation to the popularity of certain Hollywood stars, especially Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte...
in that country and a member of Mexico's golden era of film. In 1954, de Castejon won the Ariel award
Ariel Award
The Ariel is the Mexican Academy of Film Award. It has been awarded annually since 1947. The award recognizes excellence in motion picture making, such as acting, directing and screenwriting in Mexican cinema. It is considered the most prestigious award in the Mexican movie industry.- History :The...
(Mexico's version of the Oscars
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
), for supporting actress in School for Bums.
Among the actors she starred with was Antonio Aguilar
Antonio Aguilar
José Pascual Antonio Aguilar Barraza most commonly known as Antonio Aguilar, nicknamed "El Charro de México", was a Mexican film actor, singer, producer and screenwriter. During his career, he made over 150 albums, which sold 25 million copies, and made 167 movies...
and many other famous actors.
Castejon died in 1969.