Profile of the Day: Katy Jurado

Posted January 16, 2024 by Amanda | No Comment

Today we remember trailblazing Mexican film actress Katy Jurado, who was born on this day in 1924. Considered one of the leading actresses during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, Jurado was one of the first Mexican actresses to successfully crossover to Hollywood.

Image: Katy Jurado / Wikimedia Commons

She was born María Cristina Estela Marcela Jurado García in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico to a wealthy family. Despite the disapproval of her family, Jurado decided to pursue a career as an actress. She became known for playing the “femme fatale” in movies and appeared in more than 16 movies in Mexico before she was cast in her first Hollywood film, Bullfighter and the Lady, in 1951. Her strong performance in the film led to her role in the Western classic High Noon, starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, for which she would become the first Latin American actress to win a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress. In 1955, she became the first Latin American actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for her supporting role in the movie, Broken Lance.

Over the course of her career, Jurado made over 70 films. She died on July 5, 2002 at the age of 78.

Explore Katy Jurado’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re connected to the Mexican film actress!