Ramon Gil Novarro (1899 - 1968)

Born 6 Feb 1899 in Durango City, Durango, Mexico

Ancestors

Died 30 Oct 1968 at age 69 in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California

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Biography

Ramon Novarro is Notable.

Ramón Novarro was a film and television actor, one of the most popular silent film actors during the early years of Hollywood. As a leading man, he became one of the top box office attractions of his time, and one of the screen's original "Latin Lovers."

His name at birth was José Ramón Gil Samaniego, born 6 February 1899, the son of Mariano N. Samaniego and Leonor Gavilan. ^[1]Ramon's father was a well-known dentist in Durango City and the family was prominent in their community. During the turmoil of the Mexican Revolution in 1913, the family decided to move to the United States. Ramon and one of his brothers (they were two of thirteen siblings)^[2] ended up in Los Angeles. They arrived in 1915 with $10 between them, and Ramon's first job was in a grocery store where he was paid $4.00 a week.^[3]

Census records provide an interesting snapshot of Ramon's early years in Los Angeles, as well as his work, as a piano teacher, and what must have been a close relationship with his family.

First, census records confirm that Ramon and one of his brothers arrived in the United States in 1915, while the remainder of the family, including his parents and siblings, emigrated in 1917.^[4]

On 12 September 1918, Ramon registered for the draft for World War I. His draft registration card listed his name as Ramon Gil Samaniego. He was living at a home on South Hope Street in Los Angeles, born 6 February 1899. His occupation was "teacher of piano" and he was self-employed. His father was listed at the closest relative. Ramon was described as of medium height, slender, with brown eyes and black hair.^[5]

At the time of the 1920 U.S. Census, the family was living in a rented home on South Hope Street. Ramon, age 20, was working as a piano teacher. He was living with his parents and siblings: MIssiano, described as the head of the household, and Leonor were not employed. His siblings living in the household were Mariano; Luz, Antonio, Jose, Carman, Angel and Eduardo. Mariano was working as a baker at a wholesale bakery while Antonio was working as a delivery boy for a hat factory. ^[6]

In the 1920s, Ramon's film career started to take off. From 1916 through 1918, he had uncredited appearances in several films and he appeared as a dancer, credited as Ramon Samaniego, in the 1921 film A Small Town. His first credited acting role was in the 1922 film Mr. Barnes of New York. His first film credited with his new name, Ramon Novarro, was the 1922 Trifling Women. His fame began to grow during the early 1920s with such films as Where the Pavement Ends (1923), The Arab (1924) and The Midshipman (1925).^[7]

One of Ramon's first major successes and what led him to international fame was the title role in the 1925 film Ben Hur. After this, through the 1920s and 1930s, he achieved and maintained major stardom. Although he was certainly known as a "Latin Lover," Ramon was a versatile actor. "He also displayed a gift for light comedy. Nor did he limit himself to playing Latins. He also enacted a German in "The Student Prince," Polynesian in "The Pagan," Indian in "Laughing Boy" and even a Yale football player in a college movie." ^[8] He appeared with Norma Shearer in The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927) and with Joan Crawford in Across to Singapore (1928). ^[9]

Unlike many silent screen stars, Ramon was able to transition into talking films, being featured in The Pagan (1929) with Dorothy Janis; Mata Hari (1931) with Greta Garbo, The Barbarian (1933) with Myrna Loy and Laughing Boy (1934) with Lupe Velez.^[10] In 1937; however, Ramon's contract with MGM was not renewed and his career started to decline. Fortunately, during his most productive years, Ramon had invested in real estate and he was able to support a comfortable lifestyle.

After 1937 and into the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, Ramon continued to act; however, increasingly , his parts were either cameos or roles for character actors. In the late 1930s and 1940s, he acted in nine feature films, including The Sheik Steps Out (1937), A Desperate Adventure (1938), and We Were Strangers (1949). By the 1950s and 1960s, he primarily worked in television, appearing as a guest on shows such as Dr. Kildare; Rawhide, The Wild Wild West, and The High Chaparral.^[11]

Through his success, Ramon continued living with his parents and siblings. At the time of the 1930 census, he was living at a home on West 22nd Street in Los Angeles. His occupation was given as an "actor for moving pictures." With him in the household were his parents, and siblings, including Mariano, Antonio, Carmen, Angel, and Eduardo. Brother Antonio was working as an industrial engineer for the moving picture business; however, the rest of the family was not employed. The family had a number of servants, including a cook, maid, butler and valet. One of Ramon's mother's nephews, 16--year-old George Gavilan, was also living with the family.^[12]

Ten years later, the family was living at the same home on West 22nd Street in Los Angeles. Ramon's parents were listed first on the census sheet; in fact, on all the census records, Mariano is listed as head of the family. Ramon's occupation was given as a "motion picture actor." Also living in the household were some of Ramon's siblings: Leonor, working as a dressmaker in a retail shop; Antonio, working as a sound technician for a motion picture studio; Carmen; and Eduardo, working as an architect. The family also had two servants: a housemaid and a cook.^[13]

Ramon's father died seven months after the 1940 census was taken.^[14] Ramon's mother died 25 February 1949. ^[15]

Ramon remained single his entire life. He was gay, and he refused to participate in a "lavender marriage" to hide this from the public.^[16] He had a number of relationships; however, nothing that proved to be long-term. Although his investments must have kept him relatively comfortable, unfortunately, he struggled with alcoholism throughout his later life. Perhaps this was related to the decline of his career and his lack of meaningful partnerships. In these decades, it was difficult to live openly as a gay man.

On 30 October 1968, at the age of 69, Ramon died after a brutal attack.^[17] Ramon was horribly beaten over a period of several hours after he had invited two men to his home. The men were later convicted of first degree murder. Several articles have appeared that focus on Ramon's death, so his death will not be covered extensively here. ^[18]

Since his death, interest in his life and work have continued, and many articles and a biography have been written about him. His legacy as one of Hollywoods first major film stars continues. ^[19]

Additional Resources

Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, has an excellent article about Ramon, with an extensive references section and bibliography.

IMDb has a biography of the actor, as well as a summary of his work in film and television.

TCM Classic Movies has a biography of the actor that has a great discussion of his movies and other work.

My Love of Old Hollywood has a fantastic collection of photos featuring Ramon Novarro and great commentary to go along with it.

Virtual History has an excellent collection of Ramon Novarro photos.

Videos

There are some wonderful videos of the actor on YouTube, just a few clicks away. Simply search for Ramon Novarro and a dozen or so videos will appear. Here are a few gems:

Ramon Novarro Takes a Bath showcases his wonderful comedic skills.

"Lonely" (1930) sung by Ramon Novarro features his surprisingly wonderful singing voice.

A movie clip from Mata Hari with Greta Garbo ad Ramon Novarro.

Sources

1. ↑ Durango, Mexico, Civil Registration Births, 1861-1930: Ramon Gil Samaniego; hombre; born 6 February 1899 at Durango, Mexico; registration date: 12 February 1899; father: Mariano Nicolás Samaniego; mother: Maria Leonor Pérez Garicaza; page 55.
2. ↑ Wikipedia Article for Ramon Novarro.
3. ↑ Obituary: Wichita Eagle, Friday, Nov 01, 1968., Wichita, KS, Page: 17
4. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census. Year: 1920; Census Place: Los Angeles Assembly District 75, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T625_115; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 439.
5. ↑ U.S.,World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; Registration State: California; Registration County: Los Angeles; Roll: 1530895; Draft Board: 10.
6. ↑ 1920 United States Federal Census. Year: 1920; Census Place: Los Angeles Assembly District 75, Los Angeles, California; Roll: T625_115; Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 439.
7. ↑ Ramon Novarro (1899-1968); actor; IBDb credits.
8. ↑ Obituary: Wichita Eagle, Friday, Nov 01, 1968., Wichita, KS, Page: 17
9. ↑ Ramon Novarro (1899-1968); actor; IBDb credits.
10. ↑ Wikipedia Article for Ramon Novarro.
11. ↑ Ramon Novarro (1899-1968); actor; IBDb credits.
12. ↑ 1930 United States Federal Census. Year: 1930; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Page: 29B; Enumeration District: 0231; FHL microfilm: 2339877.
13. ↑ 1940 United States Federal Census. Year: 1940; Census Place: Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Roll: m-t0627-00416; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 60-356.
14. ↑ California Death Index. Mariano Samaniego; birth: 24 March 1871 in Mexico; death: 15 November 1940 in Los Angles.
15. ↑ California Death Index: Leonor Gavilan Samaniego; birth: 3 August 1872 in Mexico; death 25 February 1949 in Los Angeles.
16. ↑ Wikipedia Article for Ramon Novarro.
17. ↑ California Death Index: Ramon Novarro; birth: 6 February 1899; birth place: Mexico; death date: 31 October 1968; death place: Los Angeles; other's maiden name: Gavilan.
18. ↑ A star is killed: Hollywood's deadly secret; Beyond Paradise: The Life of Ramon Novarro, Andre Soares. ST. Martin's Press; 400 pages; August 24, 2003. This book summary focuses almost exclusively on Ramon's death.
19. ↑ Find a Grave Memorial for Ramon Novarro.