Rudolph Valentino, (May 6, 1895 - August 23, 1926) was an Italian actor born in Castellaneta, Apulia, in the same year as the invention of cinema.
He spent some time in Paris, where he became a talented dancer, and then returned to Italy for a while. In 1913 he left for America, following the advice of Domenico Savino, a friend of his and of tenor Tito Schipa.
He landed in New York where he worked for a while as a dancer and obtained a certain local fame. It has been said that during this period he also was a gigolo and that he had judicial troubles for prostitution-related matters.He next met the actor Norman Kerry, who convinced him to try a career in cinema, still in the silent era.
He spent some time in Paris, where he became a talented dancer, and then returned to Italy for a while. In 1913 he left for America, following the advice of Domenico Savino, a friend of his and of tenor Tito Schipa.
He landed in New York where he worked for a while as a dancer and obtained a certain local fame. It has been said that during this period he also was a gigolo and that he had judicial troubles for prostitution-related matters.He next met the actor Norman Kerry, who convinced him to try a career in cinema, still in the silent era.
In 1926 he died in New York, an estimated 100,000 people were said to have taken part in his funeral.
Hollywood legend relates the story that thousands of women lined the streets, causing riots. Several of his fans were even said to have committed suicide.
He is interred in the Hollywood Forever Memorial Park Cemetery in Hollywood, California.
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