Rudolph Valentino May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926
The 1920s were a time of transition in America. For the first time, more Americans lived in cities than on farms. The nation’s total wealth nearly doubled between 1920 and 1929. Radios and automobiles became popular and the Jazz Age began. For many Americans, this decade was considered a time of cultural change in the way they dressed, danced, and socialized. Thus, the decade is often referred to as the “Roaring Twenties.”
It was also a time when an industry so much a part of America today began to take shape. The Hollywood film industry became a part of everyday society, as Americans began to see movies in great numbers. One of the greatest stars of those early years was Rudolph Valentino. From his rise to national prominence in 1921 to his untimely death in 1926, the Italian immigrant and star of such silent films as The Sheik, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Blood and Sand, and The Son of the Sheik would captivate audiences around the country.
In 1926, Valentino died suddenly at the age of 31 as the result of peritonitis after surgery to treat acute appendicitis and ulcers. His death would stun the nation, as he left behind many grieving female fans. Despite previous marriages, he was not married at the time of this death and was survived by his sister Maria, brother Alberto, and nephew Jean.
Looking at the footage below, one begins to appreciate just how big a star Valentino was and the contribution he made to America’s entertainment industry:
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