Diosa Costello
Juana de Dios Castrello, better known as Diosa Costello (April 23, 1913 – June 20, 2013), was a Puerto Rican- American entertainer, performer, producer and club owner,[1] often referred to as "the Latin Bombshell".[2]
Diosa Costello | |
|---|---|
 Costello in 1943 | |
| Born | Juana de Dios Castrello April 23, 1913 |
| Died | June 20, 2013 (aged 100) Hollywood, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation | Entertainer, performer, producer, and club owner |
| Years active | 1939-1953 |
| Spouse(s) | Don Casino (m. 1958; div. 1971) |
Early life
Costello was born Juana de Dios Castrello y Cruz in Guayama, Puerto Rico on April 23, 1913,[3] although 1917 is often incorrectly sourced.[4]
Career
After performing for some time at various venues in Spanish Harlem, she paired with Desi Arnaz at the La Conga club. Her Broadway debut was Too Many Girls (1939), where she became the first Latina[5] on the Broadway stage. She decided not to go with the film, however, being reluctant to move to Hollywood.[1]
The Smithsonian filmed an interview with Costello in 2006. She died in her sleep on June 20, 2013 at the age of 100 in Hollywood, Florida.[6]
Personal
She was married to Pupi Campo and Italian singer Don Casino.[1]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | They Met in Argentina | Panchita | |
| 1945 | The Bullfighters | Conchita | |
| 1953 | Miss Sadie Thompson | Ameena Horn | (final film role) |
References
- "Diosa Costello The Original Latin Bombshell", by Frederic Gleach
- "National Museum of American History Celebrates Diosa Costello"
- Serrano, Basilio (2015). Puerto Rican Pioneers in Jazz, 1900–1939: Bomba Beats to Latin Jazz. iUniverse. ISBN 9781491747704. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- Profile of Diosa Costello
- "Q and A With Diosa Costello", Smithsonian Magazine
- "Fallece la actriz Diosa Costello" (in Spanish). El Nuevo Dia. 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
External links
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