Myrtle Gonzalez: Bio, Life, Career, Marriage, and Net Worth

Myrtle Gonzalez: Overview

Myrtle Gonzalez was Born on September 28, 1891, and passed away on October 22, 1918, she was a notable American actress. Her career encompassed appearances in over 78 silent-era films spanning from 1913 to 1917, with 66 of them being one and two-reel shorts. She earned recognition as a prominent figure in the film industry.

One of Gonzalez’s standout performances was her portrayal of Enid Maitland in Vitagraph’s six-reel feature-length drama titled “The Chalice of Courage” (1915), where she starred alongside William Duncan. She garnered the moniker “The Virgin White Lily of the Screen” from a magazine writer, solidifying her status as an icon on-screen. 

Myrtle Gonzalez: Highlights

Myrtle Gonzalez Age

Myrtle Gonzalez was born on September 28, 1891, in Los Angeles, California. Her parents were Manuel George Gonzalez (1868–1919) and Lillian L. Cook (1874–1932). She had two siblings: Stella M. Gonzalez (1892–1965) and Manuel G. Gonzalez Jr. (born 1898).

Her father’s family belonged to a long-established Hispanic Californio lineage that predates the United States’ acquisition of the territory from Mexico. Her mother, whose parents were immigrants from Ireland, was a former opera and popular singer, while her father worked as a retail grocer.

Although this section lacks proper citations, it’s worth noting that Myrtle’s early life was marked by her burgeoning dramatic talent and a soprano singing voice. 

She participated in numerous local concerts, charitable events, and church choirs. During this time, she also took on juvenile roles on stage, sharing the spotlight with renowned figures like Fanny Davenport and Florence Stone.

Around 1910, she married James Parks Jones, with whom she had a son named James Parks Jones Jr. (c. 1911–1970). However, the marriage eventually ended in divorce.  

Family and Siblings Of Myrtle Gonzalez

In the biography of Myrtle’s, information about her parents is as follows: Her father, Manuel George Gonzalez, hailed from a Hispanic Californio family in Mexico and worked as a retail grocer. 

Her mother, Lillian L. Cook, was the offspring of Irish immigrants and enjoyed a previous career as a renowned opera singer. Her siblings included her sister, Stella M. Gonzalez, and her brother, Manuel G. Gonzalez Jr.

Personal Life of Myrtle Gonzalez

On December 1, 1917, she entered into marriage with actor/director Allen Watt (1885–1944) in Los Angeles. Subsequently, she stepped away from her work in the film industry and embraced retirement. Their acquaintance had originated during Watt’s tenure as an assistant director at Universal Studios. 

Their union took place against the backdrop of the United States’ involvement in World War I, during which Watt held a commission as an officer in the US Army, stationed at Camp Lewis, near Tacoma, Washington.

Due to Gonzalez’s delicate health and the unsuitability of the climate, Capt. Watt opted for retirement, facilitating their return to Southern California. He resumed his role at Universal Studios and transitioned into directing.

Tragically, at the young age of 27, Gonzalez succumbed to the global Spanish flu pandemic of 1918. When she passed away, she was a resident of her parents’ Los Angeles home at 908 West Thirtyth Street.  

About Myrtle Gonzalez Husbands

Regarding the two marriages of Myrtle Gonzalez, her first union took place around 1910. She tied the knot with James Parks Jones. Together, they had a son named James Parks Jones Jr. 

However, their marriage ended in divorce. Subsequently, on December 1, 1917, She married Allen Watt, an actor and director based in Los Angeles. Their paths crossed when Allen Watt was working as an assistant director at Universal Studios.

Gonzalez’s Impact and Google Doodle

Gonzalez’s cinematic contributions were met with great acclaim from her admirers. She graced nearly 78 silent films between 1913 and 1917, a considerable number of which were one and two-reel shorts. 

In commemoration of the release anniversary of her film “The Level” (1914), a Google Doodle was dedicated to Gonzalez’s on November 23, 2022, as a tribute to this renowned star’s legacy.”  

Myrtle Gonzalez Professional Film Career

Growing up in Los Angeles, Myrtle Gonzalez had a significant advantage as the movie production industry shifted to her hometown. She secured roles with renowned studios like Vitagraph and Universal.

Her collaboration with William Desmond Taylor at Vitagraph resulted in five movies: the 1913 comedy/drama “Her Husband’s Friend,” the 1914 drama “Tainted Money,” the 1914 comedy “Millions for Defence,” the 1914 drama “The Kiss,” and the 1914 drama “Captain Alvarez.”

Gonzalez often portrayed robust, outdoorsy heroines in her roles. In the latter six years of her career, many of her films revolved around stories set in snowy landscapes and forests. 

Myrtle Gonzalez Movies Collection

Here are given some movie collections by Myrtle Gonzalez:

• Chalice of Courage (1915)
• A Natural Man (1915)
• The Girl of Lost Lake (1916)
• It Happened in Honolulu (1916)
• The Secret of the Swamp (1916)
• The Greater Law (1917)
• Mutiny (1917)
• God’s Crucible (1917)
• Southern Justice (1917)
• The Show Down (1917) 

Myrtle Gonzalez Death

After her second marriage, the American actress decided to retire and leave the entertainment industry. Just before America enlisted in World War I, this decision was reached. 

At this time, her husband was a US Army officer stationed at Camp Lewis, near Tacoma, Washington. Tragically, the weather led her health to start to decline, putting her in danger of passing away. 

After seeing how frail she was, her husband sought retirement so he could be at her side. On October 22, 1918, she passed away. Learn more about her spouse and Myrtle Gonzalez age at the time of Gonzalez’s death by reading this blog in full.

Myrtle Gonzalez Cause of Death

The passing of American actress Myrtle Gonzalez on October 22, 1918, prompted curiosity about the circumstances surrounding her death. Notably, her demise coincided with the global outbreak of the Spanish flu pandemic in 1918. This deadly pandemic, which affected people worldwide, also became the cause of Gonzalez’s death tragically.

Net Worth of Myrtle Gonzalez

At the time of her passing, the estimated net worth of the American actress stood at $3 million. For those interested in exploring her social media accounts, the provided links are available below.” 

Facts

• In her brief five-year film career, she managed to star in an impressive 80 films.
• During 1913-1914, Gonzalez shared the screen with actor William Taylor in five movies, including comedies like “Her Husband’s Friend” and “A Mix-Up in Pedigrees.”
• Many of her roles portrayed her as a robust outdoorsy heroine. In the latter part of her career, she frequently appeared in movies set in snowy landscapes and forests.
• Despite her portrayal of physically strong female characters, Gonzalez herself lacked athleticism. She never tried activities like horseback riding, bag punching, tennis, or swimming.
• She achieved the distinction of being Hollywood’s first successful Latina actor, securing a studio deal with Universal in 1912.
• She exhibited flexibility by featuring in different classifications, from comedies and dramatizations to romances and adventure films.
• Gonzalez was resolute on spelling her last name with a ‘z’ two times, crediting it to “highborn Spanish.” According to her, using an ‘s’ made it sound “Plebian Mexican.”
• Her legacy shines as a significant figure in the history of Latinx representation in the film industry.   

FAQ’s

Q1: Who exactly was Myrtle Gonzalez?

A1: Myrtle was an actress from the United States.

Q2: At what age did Myrtle pass away?

A2: She passed away at the age of 27.

Q3: What was the estimated net worth of Gonzalez?

A3: Gonzalez had an approximate net worth of $3 million around the time of her demise.

Q4: What name was Myrtle Gonzalez known by in real life?

A4: Gonzalez’s true name was Myrtle Gonzalez.

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