Friday, February 10, 2012

Was Rudolph Valentino Gay?

Art Deco, Statue, ASPERATION, honoring, Rudolph Valentino, rests in De Longpre Park in Los Angeles. 







From the time he died until the 1960s, Valentino's sexuality was not generally questioned.[56][57] At least four books, particularly Hollywood Babylon, began to perpetuate that he may have been gay despite his marriage with Rambova.[58][59][60][61] [62] In fact, the marriages to Acker and Rambova, as well as the relationship with Pola Negri, only serve to add to the suspicion that Valentino was gay and that these were "lavender marriages", as all have documented lesbian relationships.[63] Such books gave rise to claims that Valentino had a relationship with Ramón Novarro, despite even Novarro stating they barely knew each other.[56][59] Hollywood Babylon in particular spread the rumor that Valentino had given Novarro an art deco dildo as a gift, which was found stuffed in his throat at the time of his murder. No such gift ever existed.[56][58][59] These books also gave rise to claims that he may have had relationships with both roommates Paul Ivano and Douglas Gerrad, as well as Norman Kerry, openly gay French actor Jacques Herbertot and André Daven.[64] However, Ivano maintained that it was completely untrue and both he and Valentino were heterosexual.[18] Biographers Emily Leider and Allan Ellenberger generally agree that he was most likely straight.[65][66]



Aspiration also rested at Maybelline Founder, Tom Lyle Williams, Villa Valentino, in the Hollywood Hills.  Williams bought Valentino's Villa after Valentino's death and owned it until 1949, when it was destroyed for the Hollywood Freeway.  The foundation still can be seen at the Vine off ramp on the Hollywood freeway.

Read all about it at www.maybellinebook.com, or purchase The Maybelline Story and the Spirited Family Dynasty Behind it from this site.

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