Jo Raquel Welch was an American actress who gained international recognition in the 1960s, becoming a sex symbol of the era. She starred in films like "One Million Years B.C.", "Fantastic Voyage", and "Hannie Caulder". Her career spanned over five decades, showcasing her versatility in various genres, from Westerns to musicals.
1940: Release of the Original "One Million B.C."
The original "One Million B.C." film, which Raquel Welch's 1966 film was a remake of, was released.
1958: High School Graduation and Marriage
Raquel Welch graduated with honors from high school and married her high school sweetheart, James Welch, in 1958.
May 8, 1959: Marriage to James Welch
Raquel Welch married her high school sweetheart, James Welch, in Las Vegas on May 8, 1959.
November 6, 1959: Birth of Son, Damon Welch
Raquel Welch's son, Damon Welch, was born on November 6, 1959.
1959: Performance in "The Ramona Pageant"
Raquel Welch played the title role in "The Ramona Pageant" in Hemet, California, in 1959.
December 26, 1961: Birth of Daughter, Tahnee Welch
Raquel Welch's daughter, Tahnee Welch, was born on December 26, 1961.
1962: Separation from James Welch
Raquel Welch and her husband, James Welch, separated in 1962.
1963: Move to Los Angeles and Pursuit of Acting Career
Raquel Welch returned to Los Angeles in 1963 to pursue an acting career and began working with manager Patrick Curtis.
1964: Divorce from James Welch
Raquel Welch and James Welch officially divorced in 1964.
1964: Early Film and Television Roles
Raquel Welch landed small roles in films like "A House Is Not a Home" and "Roustabout" in 1964. She also appeared in television series like "Bewitched" and "McHale's Navy."
1965: Breakthrough Role in "A Swingin' Summer" and Recognition
Raquel Welch's first featured role was in the film "A Swingin' Summer" in 1965. She was named Deb Star and gained attention for a photo spread in Life magazine.
1966: Raquel Welch's Breakthrough in "Fantastic Voyage" and "One Million Years B.C."
Raquel Welch gained recognition for her role in "Fantastic Voyage" in 1966. The same year, she starred in "One Million Years B.C.", which catapulted her to international sex symbol status.
1966: Signing with 20th Century Fox and Lead Role in "Fantastic Voyage"
Raquel Welch signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and starred in the successful science fiction film "Fantastic Voyage" in 1966.
1966: Appearances in "Shoot Loud, Louder... I Don't Understand" and "Sex Quartet"
Raquel Welch starred alongside Marcello Mastroianni in the Italian film "Shoot Loud, Louder... I Don't Understand" and appeared in the anthology film "Sex Quartet" in 1966.
1966: Iconic Role in "One Million Years B.C." and Rise to Sex Symbol Status
Raquel Welch's role in "One Million Years B.C." (released in the US in 1967), particularly her appearance in a fur bikini, solidified her status as a major sex symbol of the 1960s.
February 14, 1967: Marriage to Patrick Curtis
On Valentine's Day, February 14, 1967, Raquel Welch married publicist Patrick Curtis in Paris.
1967: Fathom Release
In 1967, Raquel Welch starred in her first leading role in the British spy film "Fathom," which drew comparisons to the "Modesty Blaise" style and was filmed in Spain for 20th Century Fox.
1967: Bedazzled Appearance
Raquel Welch appeared in the Peter Cook and Dudley Moore comedy "Bedazzled" in 1967, a comedic take on the Faust legend set in the Swinging Sixties.
1967: Appearance in "The Oldest Profession"
Raquel Welch appeared in the anthology comedy "The Oldest Profession," directed by Michael Pfleghar, in 1967.
1967: Appearance in "Bedazzled"
Raquel Welch appeared in the film "Bedazzled" in 1967.
1967: US Release of "One Million Years B.C."
The film "One Million Years B.C.", starring Raquel Welch, was released in the United States.
1968: Bandolero! Release
The Western "Bandolero!," filmed in Del Rio, Texas, at the Alamo Village and co-starring James Stewart and Dean Martin, featured Raquel Welch in 1968.
1968: Appearance in "The Biggest Bundle of Them All"
Raquel Welch starred in the heist film "The Biggest Bundle of Them All" with Edward G. Robinson in 1968.
1968: Appearance in "Bandolero!"
Raquel Welch starred in the film "Bandolero!" in 1968.
1968: Alleged Affair and On-Set Drama
During the filming of "100 Rifles" in Spain in 1968, rumors circulated of a relationship between Raquel Welch and Spanish actor Sancho Gracia. This allegedly led to a confrontation between Patrick Curtis and Gracia.
1968: Lady in Cement Role
Raquel Welch appeared alongside Frank Sinatra in the 1968 detective film "Lady in Cement," a sequel to "Tony Rome" (1967), portraying the socialite Kit Forrest.
1969: 100 Rifles Starring Role
Raquel Welch starred in the 1969 western "100 Rifles," directed by Tom Gries and filmed in Almería, Spain, alongside Jim Brown, Burt Reynolds, and Fernando Lamas. The film sparked both attention and debate due to a love scene between Welch and Brown that broke Hollywood's unspoken rule against depicting interracial intimacy on screen.
1969: Appearance in "100 Rifles"
Raquel Welch starred in the film "100 Rifles" in 1969, which was notable for its portrayal of interracial intimacy.
April 26, 1970: Raquel! Television Special Premiere
CBS aired Raquel Welch's television special, "Raquel!," on April 26, 1970. Notably, the program garnered significant viewership, achieving a 51 percent share on the National ARB Ratings and a 58 percent share in the overnight New York Nielsen ratings.
1970: Myra Breckinridge Performance
In 1970, Raquel Welch took on the challenging role of Myra Breckinridge, the transsexual protagonist in the film adaptation of Gore Vidal's contentious novel about a man who undergoes surgery to become a woman, in an effort to be recognized as a serious actress.
1970: Appearance in "Myra Breckinridge"
Raquel Welch starred in the film "Myra Breckinridge" in 1970.
1970: Mentioned in "Raquel Welch" by Shel Silverstein
Raquel Welch was immortalized in Shel Silverstein's 1970 song "Raquel Welch."
1971: Hannie Caulder Lead Role
In 1971, Raquel Welch starred in "Hannie Caulder," a Western produced by Tigon and Curtwel that was filmed in Spain, marking one of the few and earliest instances of an actress leading a Western film.
1971: Mentioned in "One's on the Way" by Loretta Lynn
Raquel Welch received another musical tribute in 1971 when Loretta Lynn released her hit song "One's on the Way," written by Shel Silverstein.
1971: Appearance in "Hannie Caulder"
Raquel Welch starred in the film "Hannie Caulder" in 1971.
January 6, 1972: Divorce from Patrick Curtis
Raquel Welch and Patrick Curtis divorced on January 6, 1972, after five years of marriage.
December 1972: Las Vegas Nightclub Debut
Raquel Welch made her nightclub debut at the Las Vegas Hilton, preceding Elvis Presley's act, in December 1972.
1972: Appearance in "Kansas City Bomber"
Raquel Welch starred in the film "Kansas City Bomber" in 1972.
1972: Kansas City Bomber Starring Role
In 1972, Raquel Welch starred in "Kansas City Bomber," portraying a tough derby star and single mother navigating the complexities of personal aspirations and stardom. Life magazine hailed Welch as the "hottest thing on wheels" for her performance.
1973: The Three Musketeers Performance
Raquel Welch appeared in two films in 1973: "The Last of Sheila" and "The Three Musketeers," for which she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy.
1973: Appearances in "The Last of Sheila" and "The Three Musketeers"
Raquel Welch starred in two films in 1973: "The Last of Sheila" and "The Three Musketeers".
1974: The Four Musketeers Release
A sequel to "The Three Musketeers," titled "The Four Musketeers," was released in 1974.
1974: Golden Globe Win for "The Three Musketeers"
Raquel Welch won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role in "The Three Musketeers" in 1974.
1975: The Wild Party and The Cher Show Appearances
In 1975, Raquel Welch appeared in "The Wild Party" and sang a duet of "I'm a Woman" with Cher on an episode of "The Cher Show."
1975: Appearance in "The Wild Party"
Raquel Welch starred in the film "The Wild Party" in 1975.
1975: Golden Globe Win for "The Three Musketeers"
Raquel Welch won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her role in "The Three Musketeers" in 1975.
1976: Mother, Jugs & Speed Release
In the 1976 action comedy "Mother, Jugs & Speed," directed by Peter Yates, Raquel Welch co-starred alongside Bill Cosby and Harvey Keitel.
1976: Appearance in "Mother, Jugs & Speed"
Raquel Welch starred in the film "Mother, Jugs & Speed" in 1976.
1977: Animal and The Prince and the Pauper Roles
Raquel Welch appeared in the French film "Animal" with Jean-Paul Belmondo and the British adventure film "The Prince and the Pauper" in 1977.
1978: The Muppet Show Guest Appearance
In 1978, Raquel Welch made a guest appearance on "The Muppet Show," where she sang "I'm a Woman" with Miss Piggy.
1979: Playboy Photoshoot
Raquel Welch posed for Playboy in 1979 but remained true to her principles by refusing to do a fully nude shoot.
July 5, 1980: Marriage to André Weinfeld
Raquel Welch married producer André Weinfeld on July 5, 1980, in Cabo San Lucas.
1980: Mentioned in "Love Is Real" by Al Jarreau
Al Jarreau's Grammy-winning 1980 album "This Time" included the song "Love Is Real," which featured a flattering mention of Raquel Welch.
December 1981: Broadway Debut in "Woman of the Year"
Raquel Welch made her Broadway debut in December 1981, filling in for Lauren Bacall in "Woman of the Year."
1982: Return to Broadway in "Woman of the Year"
Due to positive reception, Raquel Welch returned to perform in "Woman of the Year" on Broadway for six months in 1982.
1982: Firing from "Cannery Row" and Lawsuit
Raquel Welch was fired from the 1982 adaptation of "Cannery Row" and subsequently sued MGM for breach of contract.
February 1983: Miscarriage
In February 1983, while on vacation in Mustique, Raquel Welch experienced a miscarriage at three months into her pregnancy.
1984: Release of "Raquel Welch Total Beauty and Fitness Program"
Raquel Welch released her book and videos titled "Raquel Welch Total Beauty and Fitness Program", featuring a hatha yoga fitness program, her insights on healthy living, and more, in 1984.
1986: Winning Lawsuit Against MGM
Raquel Welch won a $10.8 million verdict against MGM in 1986, proving a conspiracy to blame her for the film's budget problems.
1987: Golden Globe Nomination for "Right to Die"
Raquel Welch received a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance in the television drama "Right to Die" in 1987.
1987: Right to Die Performance
Raquel Welch starred in the television drama "Right to Die" in 1987, taking on a less glamorous role as a college professor and mother of two battling Lou Gehrig's disease who seeks a dignified death, earning her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.
1987: Golden Globe Nomination for "Right to Die"
Raquel Welch was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Television Film for her performance in "Right to Die" in 1987.
1988: Television Films and Music
Raquel Welch starred in the television film "Scandal in a Small Town" and released her dance single "This Girl's Back In Town" in 1988.
1988: Release of Dance Single "This Girl's Back In Town"
Raquel Welch released the dance single "This Girl's Back In Town", which reached No. 29 on Billboard's dance club chart, along with a music video, in 1988.
1989: Television Film: Trouble in Paradise
Raquel Welch appeared in the made-for-television film "Trouble in Paradise" in 1989.
August 1990: Divorce from André Weinfeld
After a decade of marriage, Raquel Welch and André Weinfeld divorced in August 1990.
1993: Television Film: Torch Song
Raquel Welch starred in the made-for-television film "Torch Song" in 1993.
1994: Cameo in Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult
Raquel Welch made a cameo appearance in "Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult" during the Academy Awards scene in 1994.
1994: Featured in "The Shawshank Redemption"
Raquel Welch's iconic image from "One Million Years B.C." was featured on a poster in the 1994 film "The Shawshank Redemption."
1995: Ranked Among the "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History"
Empire magazine named Raquel Welch one of the "100 Sexiest Stars in Film History" in 1995.
1995: Guest Appearance in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
In 1995, Raquel Welch made a guest appearance as a television reporter and assassin in the Season 2 episode "Top Copy" of "Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman."
1996: Relationship with Gary Stretch
In 1996, Raquel Welch began dating former British boxing champion Gary Stretch.
1996: Joining the Cast of Central Park West
In a bid to boost ratings, Raquel Welch joined the cast of the struggling night-time soap opera "Central Park West" in 1996.
1996: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Raquel Welch was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in 1996.
October 1997: Richie Palmer Breaks Off Engagement
To pursue a relationship with Raquel Welch, Richie Palmer ended his engagement to actress Cathy Moriarty in October 1997.
1997: Guest Appearance in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
Raquel Welch guest starred as Sabrina's flamboyant Aunt Vesta in the American comedy series "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" in 1997.
1997: Starring in Broadway's "Victor/Victoria"
Raquel Welch starred in the Broadway production of "Victor/Victoria" in 1997, succeeding Julie Andrews and Liza Minnelli in the title role.
1997: Memorable Appearance in Seinfeld's "The Summer of George"
Raquel Welch played a highly temperamental version of herself in the Season 8 finale of "Seinfeld" titled "The Summer of George" in 1997.
July 17, 1999: Marriage to Richie Palmer
Raquel Welch married Richie Palmer, co-owner of Mulberry Street Pizzeria, on July 17, 1999, in Beverly Hills.
2001: Imagen Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award
In recognition of her positive promotion of Americans of Latin heritage throughout her career, Raquel Welch was awarded the Imagen Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.
2001: Cameo Appearances in "Legally Blonde" and "Tortilla Soup"
Raquel Welch had cameo roles in the comedy film "Legally Blonde" and the family comedy-drama "Tortilla Soup" in 2001.
2002: Co-Starring in PBS Series American Family
In 2002, Raquel Welch co-starred as Aunt Dora in the PBS series "American Family," marking the first time she acknowledged her Latina heritage in her career.
August 2003: Separation from Richie Palmer
Raquel Welch and Richie Palmer separated in August 2003 after four years of marriage.
2006: Starring in "Forget About It"
Raquel Welch starred in the mobster comedy "Forget About It" alongside Burt Reynolds, Robert Loggia, and Charles Durning in 2006.
January 2007: Becoming the Face of MAC Cosmetics
In January 2007, Raquel Welch was chosen as the newest face of MAC Cosmetics Beauty Icon series, with a limited-edition makeup line celebrating her "feline and sensuous image."
2008: Appearance in "Welcome to The Captain"
Raquel Welch made an appearance in the CBS show "Welcome to The Captain," playing a "sultry actress", in 2008.
2010: Release of Memoir "Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage"
Raquel Welch released her memoir, "Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage," in 2010, and discussed her family background in an interview on "Tavis Smiley."
2011: Decision Against Remarriage
In 2011, Raquel Welch stated in an interview with Elle magazine that she would not marry again.
2011: Welch's Bikini Recognized by Time Magazine
Time magazine included Raquel Welch's bikini from "One Million Years B.C." in its "Top Ten Bikinis in Pop Culture" list in 2011.
2012: Guest Appearance on CSI: Miami and Film Society of Lincoln Center Retrospective
Raquel Welch made a guest appearance on "CSI: Miami" and was honored with a special retrospective of her films at the Walter Reade Theater by the Film Society of Lincoln Center in 2012.
2012: Film Retrospective at Lincoln Center
The Film Society of Lincoln Center held a special retrospective of Raquel Welch's films at the Walter Reade Theater in 2012.
2013: Role in Lifetime Movie "House of Versace"
Raquel Welch took on the role of Aunt Lucia in the Lifetime original movie "House of Versace" in 2013.
2014: Political Stance and USO Support
In 2014, Raquel Welch publicly identified as conservative, attributing her views to her upbringing. This was during an appearance on "The O'Reilly Factor." Throughout her career, Welch showed her support for the troops, frequently participating in USO shows, particularly during the Vietnam War, often alongside Bob Hope.
2015: Television Drama Appearance
Raquel Welch portrayed Miss Sally May Anderson in the television drama "The Ultimate Legacy" in 2015.
2017: Role in "How to Be a Latin Lover"
In 2017, Raquel Welch played a single billionaire grandmother in the romantic comedy "How to Be a Latin Lover."
2017: Starring in "Date My Dad"
In 2017, Raquel Welch starred in the Canadian sitcom "Date My Dad" as the mother-in-law of Barry Watson's character, reuniting with Robert Wagner on screen.
2017: Final Film Appearance in "How to Be a Latin Lover"
Raquel Welch's final film appearance was in "How to Be a Latin Lover" in 2017.
February 15, 2023: Death of Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch passed away on February 15, 2023.
2023: Passing of Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch passed away in 2023, still using her married name from her first marriage.