Lita Baron

Lita Baron
Baron in 1960
Born
Isabel Castro

(1923-08-11)August 11, 1923
Almería, Spain
DiedDecember 16, 2015(2015-12-16) (aged 92)
Other namesIsabelita
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1944–1979
Spouse
(m. 1948; div. 1970)
Children3

Lita Baron (born Isabel Castro; August 11, 1923 – December 16, 2015)[1] was a Spanish-born American actress and singer who appeared in movies and television shows for over 30 years.

Early life

Baron was born Isabel Castro in Almería, Spain, on August 11, 1923, and emigrated to United States with her family in 1928. Her parents were Pedro and Francesca Castro.[2]

After moving, the family lived in River Rouge, Michigan,[1] where she attended River Rouge High School.[3]

Career

Baron started her career in show business as a singer and dancer with Xavier Cugat's orchestra. Billed as Isabelita, she also had her own act in nightclubs in Hollywood.[1]

Starting in 1944, she appeared in several Hollywood films and television series. Her last screen role came in the 1979 film Bitter Heritage, in which her then ex-husband Rory Calhoun starred.[4] She later worked in radio and real estate.[2]

Personal life

In 1948, Baron married Hollywood actor Rory Calhoun. The couple had three daughters: Cindy, Tami, and Lori. Baron and Calhoun divorced in 1970, and she cited his multiple extramarital affairs as one of the reasons for the separation.[5]

Baron supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 United States presidential election.[6]

Death

Baron died in Palm Springs, California, on December 16, 2015, at age 92. The cause of death was complications from a fall, which had resulted in a broken hip.[4]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1944 That's My Baby! Isabelita
1945 Pan-Americana Lupita
The Gay Senorita Chiquita
Club Havana Isabelita
1946 Slightly Scandalous Lola
High School Hero Chi-Chi
Don Ricardo Returns Dorothea
1947 That's My Gal Isabelita
1948 Jungle Jim Zia
1949 Border Incident Rosita Uncredited
Bomba on Panther Island Losana
1951 Savage Drums Sari
1954 Jesse James' Women Delta
1955 The Treasure of Pancho Villa Birdcage Flirt in Plaza Uncredited
1956 Red Sundown Maria
The Broken Star Conchita Alvarado
1960 Compadece al delincuente flamenco dance couple
1979 Bitter Heritage La Madre (final film role)

References

  1. ^ a b c Lentz, Harris M. III (2016). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2015. McFarland. ISBN 9781476625539. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Lita Baron". The Desert Sun. January 17, 2016. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  3. ^ "High School Dancer". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. January 6, 1940. p. 20. Retrieved March 25, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ a b Barnes, Mike (January 14, 2016). "Lita Baron, Spanish-Born Actress and Nightclub Performer, Dies at 92". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  5. ^ Vallance, Tom (May 3, 1999). "Obituary: Rory Calhoun". The Independent. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  6. ^ Critchlow, Donald T. (October 21, 2013). When Hollywood Was Right: How Movie Stars, Studio Moguls, and Big Business Remade American Politics. ISBN 9781107650282.