Lupe Velez

Her suicide has gathered a cruel but grimly amusing story, made into a film by Andy Warhol in 1965 as Lupe. She toured extensively on the stage throughout Europe and the United States, including opposite Vincent Price in Princess Turandot , a stage version of Giacomo Puccini’s opera. The drug did not work, instead upsetting her stomach; she actually was found dead in her bathroom, having drowned in the toilet. In addition, she co-starred with Marlene Dietrich in Shanghai Express (1932) and with Lana Turner in Portrait in Black. Lupe Vélez committed suicide with Seconal in Beverly Hills, California after the end of her relationship with Harold Raymond, whose child she was carrying. She has also made films in German and French. In 1943 she returned to Mexico and starred in Nana (1944), well received she returned to Hollywood. Anna May travelled throughout Europe, and was one of the leads in the British film, Piccadilly (1929).

She went on to have another emotionally draining affair, this with Gary Cooper. Her first starring role was in The Toll of the Sea (1921). The fraught marriage lasted five years, they repeatedly split and finally divorced in 1938. Despite this discrimination, she had a number of significant film roles. Emotionally generous, she had a number of highly publicized affairs before marrying Johnny Weissmuller in 1933. Even though Muni was to be wear heavy make up to look Asian, industry regulations prevented her from playing romantic roles opposite actors of different ethnicity. Vélez was one of few Hollywood actors to make a successful transition from silent film to 'talkies'. When MGM was casting for the The Good Earth (1937), she was passed up for the lead female role of O-lan because Paul Muni, an actor of European descent, was to play Wang Lung, O-lan's husband.

She largely stuck to lighter roles from then, notably in the Mexcan Spitfire series of seven films (1939-1943). Her ethnicity prevented her from getting choice parts, especially romantic ones due to the Hays code anti-miscegenation rules. She did a further eighteen films before finding her niche in comedy with Hot Pepper (1933). Her first role was in the silent film, The Red Lantern (1919) with Alla Nazimova, as an uncredited extra. Her first feature-length film was Douglas Fairbanks' The Gaucho (1927); the next year, she was one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars. Born Wong Liu Tsong (黃柳霜, pinyin: Huáng Liǔshuāng) in Los Angeles, California, she began playing bit parts as a teenager. She moved to California that year and was first cast in movies by Hal Roach. Anna May Wong (January 3, 1905-February 3, 1961) was the first truly notable Chinese American Hollywood actress.

She took dancing lessons and in 1924 made her performing debut at the Teatro Principal. Portrait In Black (1960). She was lightly educated at a convent school in Texas before finding work as a sales assistant. Daughter of Shanghai (1937). She was born in San Luis Potosí as María Guadalupe Vélez de Villalobos. Dangerous to Know (1937). Lupe Vélez (July 18, 1908 - December 13, 1944) was a Mexican actress. A Study in Scarlet (1933).

Shanghai Express (1932) as Hui Fei. Piccadilly (1929)as Shosho. Peter Pan (1924) as Tiger Lily. The Thief of Baghdad (1924).

The Toll of the Sea (1921) as Lotus Flower. The Red Lantern (1919) uncredited.