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[[Image:Valentino.jpg|left|Valentino]]

[[Image:Valentino.jpg|left|Valentino]]

'''Rudolph Valentino''' (born May 6, 1895 - died August 23, 1926) was a [[silent film]] actor. Born in [[Italy]], Valentino immigrated to the United States in 1913, where he settled in New York and became a professional dancer. In September 1916 Valentino was arrested in connection with a blackmail and extortion scheme. Although the police records of that arrest have since disappeared, some biographers have alleged that Valentino was a participant in a "badger game", which is a [[confidence game]]. Other biographers suggest that he was an unwitting dupe who had no criminal intent but was picked up on the scene of a crime committed by others.

'''Rudolph Valentino''' (May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926) was a [[silent film]] actor. Born in [[Italy]], Valentino immigrated to the United States in 1913, where he settled in New York and became a professional dancer. In September 1916 Valentino was arrested in connection with a blackmail and extortion scheme. Although the police records of that arrest have since disappeared, some biographers have alleged that Valentino was a participant in a "badger game", which is a [[confidence game]]. Other biographers suggest that he was an unwitting dupe who had no criminal intent but was picked up on the scene of a crime committed by others.

At about the same time, Valentino gave court testimony in the divorce case of a prominent socialite, Bianca De Saulles. When Bianca De Saulles was later arrested and charged with murdering her husband, Valentino moved to Hollywood. Some biographers have suggested that among the reasons for the move was to avoid any [[guilt by association]] or bad publicity from the De Saulles murder case.

At about the same time, Valentino gave court testimony in the divorce case of a prominent socialite, Bianca De Saulles. When Bianca De Saulles was later arrested and charged with murdering her husband, Valentino moved to Hollywood. Some biographers have suggested that among the reasons for the move was to avoid any [[guilt by association]] or bad publicity from the De Saulles murder case.

In Hollywood Valentino initially had small roles as an [[extra]], and then was able to land a few leading man roles in poorly budgeted movies. Valentino's breakthrough to star status came when he landed the lead in [[The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse]], a [[World War I]] film based on the popular novel by Vicente Blasco-Ibanez.  

In Hollywood Valentino initially had small roles as an [[extra]], and then was able to land a few leading man roles in poorly budgeted movies. Valentino's breakthrough to star status came when he landed the lead in [[The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse]], a [[World War I]] film based on the popular novel by Vicente Blasco-Ibanez.  

[[The Sheik]], released in 1921, would become Valentino's signature role, the role for which he is still remembered today. Along with the discovery of [[King Tut]]'s tomb, and the promotion of the Arab campaigns of World War I by [[T. E. Lawrence]] (also known as "Lawrence of Arabia"), ''The Sheik'' helped foster the Arabic [[craze]] of the 1920s, and for years to come "hip" young men of the time would be known as "sheiks", and their girlfriends as "shebas" (referring to the [[Queen of Sheba]]).<ref> [http://home.earthlink.net/~dlarkins/slang-pg.htm Jazz Age Slang] </ref> ''The Sheik'' was tremendously popular despite a fairly absurd story line, and Valentino would eventually reprise the role in ''Son of the Sheik''.

[[The Sheik]], released in 1921, would become Valentino's signature role, the role for which he is still remembered today. Along with the discovery of [[King Tut]]'s tomb, and the promotion of the Arab campaigns of World War I by [[T. E. Lawrence]] (also known as "Lawrence of Arabia"), ''The Sheik'' helped foster the Arabic [[craze]] of the 1920s, and for years to come "hip" young men of the time would be known as "sheiks", and their girlfriends as "shebas" (referring to the [[Queen of Sheba]]).<ref>[http://home.earthlink.net/~dlarkins/slang-pg.htm Jazz Age Slang]</ref> ''The Sheik'' was tremendously popular despite a fairly absurd story line, and Valentino would eventually reprise the role in ''Son of the Sheik''.

Valentino went on to star in many more films, notably including the [[bullfighting]] epic ''Blood and Sand'', and ''The Eagle''.

Valentino went on to star in many more films, notably including the [[bullfighting]] epic ''Blood and Sand'', and ''The Eagle''.

Valentino's  movie ''The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse'' is the sixth highest grossing silent movie, earning around $4 million dollars.<ref>[http://www.cinemaweb.com/silentfilm/bookshelf/7_v_32_4.htm Biggest Money Pictures]</ref>

Valentino's  movie ''The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse'' is the sixth highest grossing silent movie, earning around $4 million dollars.<ref>[http://www.cinemaweb.com/silentfilm/bookshelf/7_v_32_4.htm Biggest Money Pictures]</ref>

Valentino married actress Jean Acker in 1919, but the marriage was a failure, and they were divorced two years later. Lurid speculation at the time and since has suggested that the reason for the marriage's failure was a relationship between Acker and the notorious [[lesbian]] dancer [[Alla Nazimova]]. Valentino went on to have a strong professional relationship with Nazimova (appearing opposite Nazimova in the film ''Camille''), and his second wife [[Natacha Rambova]], was also a prot&#233;g&#233; of Nazimova's. Nazimova herself was a fixture in the Hollywood community, and among other things would be the godmother of Nancy Davis, the film actress and future Republican First Lady (as [[Nancy Reagan]]<ref> Colacello, Bob (2004) Ronnie & Nancy: Their path to the White House - 1911 to 1980, Warner Books, p. 38 </ref>).

Valentino married actress Jean Acker in 1919, but the marriage was a failure, and they were divorced two years later. Lurid speculation at the time and since has suggested that the reason for the marriage's failure was a relationship between Acker and the notorious [[lesbian]] dancer [[Alla Nazimova]]. Valentino went on to have a strong professional relationship with Nazimova (appearing opposite Nazimova in the film ''Camille''), and his second wife [[Natacha Rambova]], was also a prot&#233;g&#233; of Nazimova's. Nazimova herself was a fixture in the Hollywood community, and among other things would be the godmother of Nancy Davis, the film actress and future Republican First Lady (as [[Nancy Reagan]]<ref>Colacello, Bob (2004) Ronnie & Nancy: Their path to the White House - 1911 to 1980, Warner Books, p. 38</ref>).

Valentino became ill with appendicitis and perforated ulcers on June 15, 1926 in New York City. Doctors performed surgery to repair the damage but he developed peritonitis and died at the age of 31 on August 23. Tens of thousands lined the streets to say goodbye to famous "Latin Lover" at his funeral in New York.

Valentino became ill with appendicitis and perforated ulcers on June 15, 1926 in New York City. Doctors performed surgery to repair the damage but he developed peritonitis and died at the age of 31 on August 23. Tens of thousands lined the streets to say goodbye to famous "Latin Lover" at his funeral in New York.

* [[Jayne Mansfield]]

* [[Jayne Mansfield]]

==references==

==References==

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==further reading==

==Further reading==

Walker, Alexander (1976) ''Rudolph Valentino'', Penguin Books

Walker, Alexander (1976) ''Rudolph Valentino'', Penguin Books

* [http://cemeteryguide.com/valentino.html Rudolph Valentino at Cemetery Guide]

* [http://cemeteryguide.com/valentino.html Rudolph Valentino at Cemetery Guide]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Valentino, Rudolph}}

[[Category:Actors]]

[[Category:Actors]]