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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 [[bullfight]]ing epic ''Blood and Sand'', and ''The Eagle''.

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

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 protege 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's death, probably from peritonitis, at the youthful age of thirty-one, led to one of the most elaborate and riotous funerals in New York City history, with hourly radio bulletins and huge crowds. In a typical Hollywood touch, Valentino's burial crypt (in Los Angeles) was for decades visited each year on the anniversary of his death by a mysterious "Lady in Black", whose identity has never been revealed.

Valentino's death, probably from peritonitis, at the youthful age of thirty-one, led to one of the most elaborate and riotous funerals in New York City history, with hourly radio bulletins and huge crowds. In a typical Hollywood touch, Valentino's burial crypt (in Los Angeles) was for decades visited each year on the anniversary of his death by a mysterious "Lady in Black", whose identity has never been revealed.