RAMON NOVARRO

At the height of his career, Ramon Navarro was one of Hollywood's biggest stars, often compared to Rudolph Valentino. After Valentino's sudden death in 1926, Novarro was positioned as his successor, becoming MGM’s premier Latin lover.

Rise to Fame

Novarro’s breakout role came in Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925), where he played the lead. The film was a massive hit, solidifying his place as a top box-office draw. His smoldering good looks, charisma, and ability to transition into sound films helped him maintain stardom through the late 1920s and early 1930s. He starred in films like The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927), Mata Hari (1931) alongside Greta Garbo, and The Barbarian (1933).

Decline in Popularity

By the mid-1930s, his career declined for several reasons. The shift in Hollywood’s leading-man types moved toward a more rugged, Americanized image (like Clark Gable), making Novarro’s romantic, exotic persona less desirable. He also reportedly clashed with MGM, refusing to take roles that he felt were beneath him. His homosexuality, though hidden, was rumored in Hollywood circles, and studios likely saw him as a risk.

After leaving MGM, Novarro struggled to find roles, occasionally working in smaller films and on television. By the 1950s and 1960s, he was largely forgotten by mainstream Hollywood, though he remained a figure of interest in classic film circles.

Cultural Legacy and Tragic Death

Novarro was one of the first Latin American actors to achieve true Hollywood stardom, paving the way for others. His legacy is complex—his death often overshadows his achievements, but in recent years, he has been reclaimed as both a trailblazing Latino star and an important queer figure in film history.

Sadly, his later years were marked by loneliness and struggles with alcohol. On October 30, 1968, he was brutally murdered at age 69 by two brothers, Paul and Tom Ferguson, whom he had hired as sex workers. The brothers believed he had large amounts of money hidden in his home, but when they couldn’t find it, they tortured and beat him to death. He ultimately choked on his own blood.

The media sensationalized his murder, focusing on his sexuality rather than the brutality of the crime. The Ferguson brothers were convicted of manslaughter but served only short prison sentences. Paul Ferguson later admitted he had no remorse.

Despite the tragic end to his life, Novarro’s contributions to film history and queer representation have endured. Today, he is remembered as a pioneer in Hollywood a man who achieved great success despite the constraints of his time.