Immigrant of the Day: Mona Rico (Mexico)

Mona Rico (1907-1994) was born Enrigueta Di Valenzuela in Mexico City, Mexico. An actress, her films include Eternal Love (1929), Shanghai Lady (1929), A Devil With Women (1930), and Zorro Rides Again (1937). Rico and her mother walked across the Mexican border.  She came to Hollywood at age 19 in 1928.

Rico secured a five-year acting contract. Her first role of significance came opposite John Barrymore as the second lead in Eternal Love. It was reported that Miss Rico was sitting in the casting room of the studio when a girl’s hands were needed in a film test. After her hands were recorded, she was given a screen test. The following day she obtained her contract.

Rico’s first all-talkie feature was as a Spanish dancing girl in Shanghai Lady.

At the age of 23, Rico became an American citizen. Rico died in Los Angeles, California on July 15, 1994.

KJ