Jorge Negrete

Jorge Alberto Negrete Moreno 30 November 1911 5 December 1953 is considered one of the most popular Mexican singers and actors of all time Negrete was born in the City of Guanajuato where he was raised together with his brother and three sisters and also lived in San Luis Potosí From an early age Negrete demonstrated a great brilliance and rapidly became a prominent student in the eyes of his teachers He spoke five languages Spanish German English French Italian and even Nahuatl a Mesoamerican dialect Despite his brilliance Negrete decided to abandon his studies at the age of thirteen to enroll in the military He graduated with the rank of sublieutenant from El Colegio Militar Mexicos military academy This was the place where his fascination for music developed Not only did he develop an interest for music but his military training forged him a gallant presence and character which would later benefit him in his acting career Negrete met and studied under José Pierson a prestigious singing professor who became fascinated the moment he heard Negrete sing Pierson helped Negrete develop his talent for Opera which led him to become well known in the United States Handsome with a very strong will and a trained fascinating voice he is still a top icon in Mexico Spain and Latin America more than 50 years after his death His recording of México Lindo y Querido Beautiful and Beloved México his countrys unofficial anthem is the best known recording of the song His career is often compared to that of Pedro Infante the most popular Mexican actor of the time The public rivalry didnt carry over to their private lives as they were close friends until Negretes death He married twice to famous actresses with whom he shared credits Elisa Christy and María Félix He also lived with his frequent costar for more than ten years Gloria Marín costarred in 10 out of his 44 films He started his career singing on the radio in 1931 in Mexico City singing operatic parts In 1936 he signed with NBC Television for a TV program with Cuban and Mexican musicians He returned to Mexico in 1937 to act in the film La Madrina Del Diablo The Devils Godmother and because of the success of the film he was able to sign for several more the next three years In 1938 he starred in La Valentina with Elisa Christy and then in Juntos Pero No Revueltos After working in Havana and Hollywood he was called to act in Ay Jalisco No Te Rajes Hey Jalisco Dont Back Down which made him an international Latin star and helped formulate the charro film genre Filming this film he met Gloria Marín starting their romance and the string of films they filmed together He complemented his film career by singing rancheras with the trio Los Tres Calaveras and touring Latin America singing concerts and making personal appearances He was offered the main role in El Peñón de las Ánimas The Rock of Souls and wanted Marín to be his costar In spite of his protests newcomer María Félix became his star and eventually his wife although they at first despised each other while filming the film