Jorge Negrete

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Jorge Alberto Negrete Moreno (November 30, 1911 – December 5, 1953) was one of the most popular Mexican singers and actors of all time.

Negrete was born in Guanajuato where he was raised together with his brother and three sisters: David, Consuelo, Emilia and Teresa. He was a Military educated lad, who also lived in San Luis Potosí and graduated with the rank of lieutenant from El Colegio Militar, Mexico's own "West Point".

Handsome, with a very strong will and a fascinating voice, he is still one of the top idols in Mexico and Latin America. His rendition of "México Lindo y Querido," his country's unofficial anthem, is the best known version of the song. His career is often compared to that of Pedro Infante, the best known and most popular Mexican actor of the time. The public rivalry didn't carry to their private life, as they were close friends until Negrete's death.

He married twice, to famous actresses with whom he shared credits: Elisa Christy (with whom he had a daughter, Diana Negrete and María Félix. He also lived with his frequent co-star, Gloria Marín for more than ten years. Gloria Marín co-starred in 10 out of his 44 films.

He started his career singing on the radio in 1931 as an opera singer in Mexico City. In 1936 he signed with NBC for a television program with Cuban and Mexican musicians. He returned to Mexico in 1937 to act in the film La Madrina Del Diablo (The Devil's Godmother) and because of the success of the film he was able to sign for several more the next three years. In 1938 he starred in La Valentina with Elisa Christy and then in Juntos Pero No Revueltos (Together, Not Mixed).

After working in Havana and Hollywood he was called to act in ¡Ay Jalisco, No Te Rajes! (Jalisco, Don't Back Down!) which made him an international star and helped formulate the charro cinematic genre. Filming this movie he met Gloria Marín and started a romance and a string of movies they filmed together. He complemented his film career by singing rancheras the trio Los Tres Calaveras and touring Latin America for concerts and personal appearances.

He was offered the main role in El Peñon de las Ánimas (The Rock of Souls) and wanted Marín to be his co-star. In spite of his protests, newcomer María Félix became his star and eventually his wife, although they hated each other while filming the movie.

He was one of the founders, and the most important leader, of Mexican Actors Association (ANDA), succeeding Mario Moreno "Cantinflas" as its chairman. He was a fierce advocate for the rights of all film professionals in Mexico.

Negrete died in Los Angeles during a professional visit, of hepatitis, an illness with which he was infected while he worked as a musician in New York. According to his wishes, his body was flown back to, and buried in, Mexico City. Thousands of fans attended his funeral and followed the hearse to the cemetery Panteón Jardín, where he was buried in the Actors Plot. On december the 5th, hundreds of fans tribute "The Charro Cantor", (Singing Mexican Horseman)in radio, internet, and in the cementery.

[edit] Filmography

El Rapto "The Kidnapping" (1954)
Reportaje (1953)
Dos tipos de cuidado Two Dangerous Fellows (1953)
Tal para cual "To each his own" (1953)
Un Gallo en corral ajeno The Straying Rooster (1952)
Los Tres alegres compadres "Three Merry Pals" (1952)
Hay un niño en su futuro (1952)
Siempre tuya (1952)
Lluvia roja (1950)
La Posesión (1950)
Teatro Apolo (1950)
Una Gallega en México (1949)
Jalisco canta en Sevilla (1949)
Allá en el Rancho Grande Out On the Big Ranch (1949)
Si Adelita se fuera con otro (1948)
Gran Casino (1947)
El Ahijado de la muerte (1946)
En tiempos de la inquisición "In the Times of the Inquisition" (1946)
No Basta ser charro (1946)
Canaima El Dios del mal (1945)
Hasta que perdió Jalisco (1945)
Me he de comer esa tuna Mexico El Día que me quieras (1945)
Camino de Sacramento (1945)
Cuando quiere un mexicano La Gauchita y el charro (1944)
El Rebelde The Rebel (movie) (1943)
Una Carta de amor 'A Love Letter (1943)
Tierra de pasiones (1943)
Aquí llegó el valentón El Fanfarrón (1943)
El Jorobado Enrique de Lagardere (1943)
El Peñón de las Ánimas The Rock of Souls (1943)
Así se quiere en Jalisco This is how we love in Jalisco (1942)
Historia de un gran amor (1942)
Cuando viajan las estrellas When the Stars... (1942)
Seda, sangre y sol Silk, Blood and Sun (1942)
Fiesta Gaiety (1941)
¡Ay Jalisco, no te rajes! Jalisco, Don't Back Down! (1941)
Una Luz en mi camino (1939)
Juntos, pero no revueltos Together, Not Mixed (1939)
El Cementerio de las águilas The Eagles' Cemetery (1939)
Juan sin miedo (1939)
Perjura Perjurer (movie) (1938)
Caminos de ayer (1938)
La Valentina (1938)
La Madrina del diablo The Devil's Godmother (1937)

[edit] External links

Brief biography (in Spanish).
Jorge Negrete at the Internet Movie Database
[1] (Article in Spanish).
[2] (Official Jorge Negrete website).
[3] (Brief Biography and full filmography compiled by Rita Lynn Wilson, of UTSA).
[4] (Official site of his performing grandson).
[5] (Official site of his performing grandson).
[6] (List of sites and events).
[7] (Fan Club of Spain).