Who Is Myrtle Gonzalez? Google Celebrates Mexican American Actress

Anne Thompson

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Who Was Myrtle Gonzalez?

Myrtle Gonzalez Silent Film Actress — Myrtle Gonzalez (September 28, 1891 â October 22, 1918) was an American actress. She starred in at least 78 silent era motion pictures from 1913 to 1917, of which 66 were one and two-reel shorts.... Vitagraph Studios

Born in Los Angeles, California on September 28, 1891, Gonzalez's Mexican father worked as a retail grocer while her mother was a former opera singer with family roots that could be traced back to Ireland. Gonzalez appeared destined for stardom from an early age, having taken after her mother with a good soprano voice that saw her sing in a variety of local concerts, benefits and church choirs. However, her focus soon shifted to the world of film after the bulk of America's movie production moved from New York to Los Angeles, in part due to the region's more diverse scenic landscapes, giving birth to what became known as Hollywood. A Los Angeles native, Gonzalez was perfectly placed to take full advantage. After impressing in a few local plays, she joined the silent motion picture studio called Vitagraph Company of America, where she went on to make her film debut in The Yellow Streak. In the years that followed, Gonzalez carved out a niche playing bold, outdoorsy heroines who were often shown living in the wilderness, serving as a counterpoint to the city girls depicted struggling in the unfamiliar surroundings. Though her roles often adhered to a specific type, Gonzalez won praise for playing strong women who overcame adversity through strength and determination and never shied away from celebrating her Hispanic roots.

What Films Did Myrtle Gonzalez Star In?

Gonzalez starred in 80 films during her storied career, starting with The Yellow Streak. During her time at Vitagraph, she was best known for her work opposite William Desmond Taylor. Gonzalez and Taylor appeared in five movies together over the course of 1913 and 1914. They included the comedies Her Husband's Friend and Millions for Defence along with the dramas Tainted Money, The Kiss and Captain Alvarez. November 23 is significant for being the release date of one of Gonzalez's best known films, The Level. After several years at Vitagraph, Gonzalez moved on to Universal Studios, starring in features like The Secret of the Swamp and The Girl of Lost Lake which both further cemented her outdoorsy heroine status. Gonzalez was twice married. Her first marriage to James Park Jones produced one son, James Parks Jones Jr., before they divorced. She later met and married actor/director Allen Watt. The couple wed in Los Angeles in December 1917, with Gonzalez retiring from her silent film work soon after. However, their marriage was tragically cut short when Gonzalez, aged just 27, died as a result of the worldwide Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. Despite her brief time on the screen, Gonzalez still amassed a staggering number of film credits in the space of just four years and is remembered as Hollywood's first Latin and Hispanic film star. Though many of her movies have been lost over the years, the Library of Congress preserved several of her films to serve as testament to her impact on the industry.