Ricardo Cortez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ricardo Cortez
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Cortez in 1935
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| Born |
Jacob Kranze or
Jacob Krantz September 19, 1900 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | April 28, 1977 (aged 76) New York City, U.S.
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| Resting place | Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York City |
| Other names | Jack Crane |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1917–1960 |
| Spouse(s) |
Alma Rubens
(m. 1926; died 1931)Christine Coniff Lee
(m. 1934; div. 1940)Margaret Belle
(m. 1950) |
Ricardo Cortez was an American actor and film director. He was born Jacob Kranze (or Jacob Krantz) on September 19, 1900. He passed away on April 28, 1977. Early in his acting career, he was also known as Jack Crane.
Contents
Early Life
Ricardo Cortez was born Jacob Krantz in New York City. His parents were Sarah (Lefkovitz) and Morris Krantz. He grew up in a Jewish family in New York City with his brother, Stanley Cortez. (Some people mistakenly thought he was born in Vienna.)
Before he started acting in movies, he was an amateur boxer. He also worked on Wall Street, which is a famous financial area in New York City.
Becoming a Movie Star
His Acting Roles
When Ricardo Cortez started acting, Hollywood movie bosses changed his name from Krantz to Cortez. They did this because he had handsome features that looked Latin. At the time, "Latin lovers" like Rudolph Valentino were very popular in silent films.
When people found out Cortez wasn't actually Latin, the studios tried to say he was French. Later, they said he was from Vienna.
Cortez acted in more than 100 movies. He started by playing romantic heroes. When movies with sound came out, his clear voice and New York accent made him good at playing tougher characters.
He sometimes played the main hero, but mostly he played important supporting roles. He acted with Joan Crawford in Montana Moon (1930). He was also the first actor to play Sam Spade in the movie The Maltese Falcon (1931). This movie was later remade in 1941 with Humphrey Bogart. Cortez also starred with Bette Davis in The Big Shakedown (1934). In 1936, he took over the role of Perry Mason in The Case of the Black Cat.
Directing Movies
Ricardo Cortez also directed seven movies for 20th Century Fox between 1938 and 1940. These movies were often made quickly and cheaply. They were usually shown as the second movie in a "double feature" at the cinema.
His first movie as a director was Inside Story. He also directed films like Chasing Danger (1939), The Escape (1939), and Girl in 313 (1940).
Life Outside of Movies
Cortez married Alma Rubens, a silent film actress, on February 8, 1926. They had separated by 1930. Alma Rubens passed away in 1931. Cortez later married Christine Conniff Lee on January 8, 1934. They divorced in 1940.
After he stopped acting in the late 1950s, Cortez moved back to New York. He started a new career as a stockbroker for a company called Salomon Brothers on Wall Street. A stockbroker helps people buy and sell stocks and other investments.
Later Years and Passing
Ricardo Cortez passed away in Doctors Hospital in New York City in 1977. He was 76 years old. He was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.
Special Recognition
Ricardo Cortez has a special star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 1500 Vine Street in the Motion Pictures section. His star was placed there on February 8, 1960.
Images for kids
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Cortez and Helen Twelvetrees in Her Man (1930)
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Mary Astor and Cortez in Behind Office Doors (1931)
See also
In Spanish: Ricardo Cortez para niños
