Amalia Aguilar facts for kids

Amalia Aguilar (born Amalia Isabel Rodríguez Carriera on July 3, 1924 – died November 8, 2021) was a famous Cuban-Mexican dancer, actress, and comedian. She was known for her exciting dance moves and funny roles in movies.

Early Life and Dance Beginnings

Amalia Isabel Rodríguez Carriera was born in Matanzas, Cuba. Her parents encouraged her and her sister, Cecilia, to be artistic from a young age. Amalia studied ballet in Havana with well-known teachers.

She started her career dancing with her sister. They were called "The Aguilar Sisters." They joined a Cuban Theatre Company. In Havana, they met Julio Richard, a famous Cuban dancer who was looking for young dancers for his ballet group. At first, Amalia was not chosen because she was too new to dancing.

Later, while on a tour in Panama, Cecilia got married. Julio Richard saw Amalia again and decided to invite her to Mexico to be his dance partner.

A Star in Mexico and Hollywood

When Amalia arrived in Mexico, she quickly became popular. She performed in big theaters and famous nightclubs in Mexico City. She also appeared on a radio show called La Hora Mejoral.

Her talent soon caught the eye of people in the Hollywood film industry in the United States. She was invited to perform in some of the biggest nightclubs there.

While in the United States, Amalia worked with famous stars like Bob Hope, Carmen Miranda, and Xavier Cugat. She even filmed a movie in Hollywood called A Night at the Follies (1947). Hollywood producers wanted her to star in a movie about the life of another famous dancer, Lupe Vélez. However, Amalia decided she didn't want to work in Hollywood and chose to return to Mexico.

Back in Mexico, Amalia Aguilar led a music group called Los Diablos del Trópico. She also returned to Mexican movies in 1948 with the film Conozco a los dos. She acted alongside big stars like Pedro Infante in Dícen que ... and Germán "Tin Tan" Valdés in Calabacitas tiernas. Amalia loved playing fun and exciting characters in comedies, which was different from some other dancers who often acted in serious dramas.

Amalia Aguilar made 23 movies in just 10 years! She worked with many other famous actors, including Buster Keaton (in El colmillo de Buda, 1949) and Sara García (in Novia a la medida, 1949). She also starred in films like Ritmos del Caribe (1950) and Al son del mambo (1950).

One of her most remembered serious roles was in the film Amor perdido (1951). She also had notable roles in comedies like Las tres alegres comadres and Las interesadas (1952), and My Three Merry Widows and Las cariñosasa (1953), where she acted with other popular actresses like Lilia del Valle, Lilia Prado, and Silvia Pinal.

Life After Movies

After getting married, Amalia Aguilar decided to stop making movies. She moved to Peru for several years, where she started her own businesses, including beauty salons and restaurants that sold tacos.

In 1976, she returned to Mexico for a special musical show in a theater called Teatro Blanquita. She performed with another famous dancer, Rosa Carmina. In 1981, she went back to Peru and put on successful musical shows there.

In 2003, a Mexican film director named Rafael Montero convinced her to appear briefly in a movie called Dame tu cuerpo.

In 2010, Amalia Aguilar was honored in Miami, Florida. She received an award for her amazing career, and the mayor gave her the keys to the city.

Family and Passing

Amalia married a Peruvian businessman named Raul Beraún. After she retired from acting, she focused on her family. She had three children: Daphne, Raul, and Jorge. Sadly, her husband passed away in a plane crash in 1962.

Amalia Aguilar passed away on November 8, 2021, in Mexico City, at the age of 97. Her funeral was held soon after, and she was buried in the Panteón Jardín cemetery.

Filmography

Amalia Aguilar in the film poster for A Night at the Follies (1947)

• A Night in the Follies (1947)
• Conozco a los dos (1948)
• Tender Pumpkins (1949)
• Dicen que ... (1949)
• En cada puerto un amor (1949)
• Novia a la medida (1949)
• El Colmillo de Buda (1949)
• La vida en broma (1950)
• Al son del mambo (1950)
• Ritmos del Caribe (1950)
• Los Huespedes de la Marquesa (1950)
• Amor perdido (1951)
• Delirio Tropical (1952)
• Las Tres Alegres Comadres (1953)
• Las Interesadas (1953)
• Mis tres viudas alegres (1953)
• Los dineros del diablo (1953)
• Las Cariñosas (1954)
• Las Viudas del Cha Cha Cha (1955)
• Los platillos Voladores (1956)
• Los televisionudos (1957)
• Dame tu Cuerpo (2003)

See also

In Spanish: Amalia Aguilar para niños