Ramón Novarro and his alleged romance with Rudolph Valentino

• Ramón Novarro and Rudolph Valentino.
• Novarro’s humble beginnings.
• What was his relationship with Valentino?

José Ramón Gil Samaniego made history as the first Hispanic actor to triumph in Hollywood.

Originally from Victoria de Durango, Mexico, Ramón Novarro (his stage name) is recognized as a ‘Latin lover’ from the silent film era in the United States.

Shortly after his debut on the big screen, he was promoted as a rival to Rudolph Valentino.

However, it is said that the two actors shared a secret, and there were even rumors of a romance. Were they lovers?

Who was Ramón Novarro?

According to Yahoo, Ramón Novarro came from an affluent family that later lost its money.

His parents decided to emigrate to the United States and first, they settled in Texas, then in California, where he decided to try his luck in show business.

However, life was not easy for Novarro. He spent several years as an extra, waiter and nude model.

His luck changed when he met choreographer Marion Morgan, who hired him for her dance troupe. His life took a 180-degree turn.

Ramón Novarro and Rudolph Valentino: Their first encounter

It was during this time the names of Ramón Novarro and Rudoph Valentino would be heard together for the first time.

Director Rex Ingram hired the Mexican actor to take the place left vacant by Valentino in the film The Prisoner of Zenda.

Even though he didn’t have the lead role, Ramón performed so well that he received very positive reviews from critics.

Rex Ingram, who became his mentor, suggested that he avoid the ‘egomania’ that characterized Valentino during his career.

The two actors were very different

According to Yahoo, it didn’t take long for Ramón Novarro to develop a very different image from Rudolph Valentino.

The Italian actor’s is characters forced women to give in to their desires.

In contrast, the Mexican artist seduced them with his youthful charm and spoke to them affectionately. A stark difference.

Later on, Ramón started dating a Hollywood publicist. He was known to be very discreet about his personal life.

You Must Remember This

At the age of 69, Ramón Novarro was murdered by a young man involved in prostitution and crime.

Karina Longworth, a film critic and journalist, discussed this tragic event on her podcast You Must Remember This.

She claimed that the Mexican actor was suffocated with a dildo that Rudolph Valentino had given him.

Many don’t believe this lurid fact but it was widely accepted that Ramón paid male escorts on occasion.

Ramón Novarro and Rudolph Valentino were close friends

Although Yahoo doesn’t confirm a romance between Ramón Novarro and Rudoph Valentino, many believe they were more than good friends.

Although the press created a fictitious rivalry between them, they were actually close friends.

Moreover, they shared a secret sexual attraction to men. However, the dildo story is just an urban legend.

After Valentino died suddenly in 1926 at the age of 31, Ramón became the most prominent Hispanic actor in the industry.