- Born
- Died
- Birth nameEstelita Maria Rodriguez
- Nickname
- Estelita
- Estelita Rodriguez was born on July 2, 1928 in Guanajay, Cuba. She was an actress, known for Rio Bravo (1959), Belle of Old Mexico (1950) and Susanna Pass (1949). She was married to Dr. Ricardo A. Pego, Ismael Alfonso Halfss, aka Henry Half, Grant Withers and Chu Chu Martinez. She died on March 12, 1966 in Van Nuys, California, USA.
- SpousesDr. Ricardo A. Pego(December 28, 1961 - March 12, 1966) (her death)Ismael Alfonso Halfss, aka Henry Half(December 14, 1956 - May 1960) (divorced)Grant Withers(January 31, 1953 - November 9, 1955) (divorced)Chu Chu Martinez (divorced, 1 child)
- Was preparing to star in the life story of Lupe Velez (which ironically enough has still-unanswered questions lingering about it as well) at the time of her sudden death, which still remains suspicious (although influenza has been listed, the cause of death was never made public). She was found dead on the kitchen floor of her Los Angeles-area home.
- Ex-husband Grant Withers killed himself in 1959 a few years after their divorce.
- Cuban-born spitfire who became a favorite of Republic Studios mogul Herbert J. Yates and a spicy addition to a number of Roy Rogers' westerns (from 1945) as a senorita type. Rumors of a long-standing affair with Yates followed her throughout her career.
- Interred at San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills, CA. Her grave marker lists her birth year as 1928, but many sources suggest she was much older, listing her birth year as 1913 or 1915.
- Cuban-born singer and actress, performing from the age of nine. Trained for acting at MGM stock school after being signed under contract by the studio in 1942. Joined Republic Pictures on a five-picture deal in September 1949. Went freelance in 1952, the following year enjoying particularly successful stints at the Coconut Grove and the Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content