Advertisement

Raquel Welch’s life and career in photos

A black-and-white image of Raquel Welch, turning away from journalists to smile for the camera.
Raquel Welch poses for journalists in Paris on Jan. 15, 1970.
(Michel Lipchitz / Associated Press)
Share via

Legendary bombshell Raquel Welch, who became a global icon almost overnight following her small but memorable role in the 1966 fantasy film “One Million Years B.C.,” died Wednesday. She was 82.

During a career that spanned more than five decades, her roles ranged from a transgender woman in Michael Sarne’s 1970 adaptation of Gore Vidal’s satirical novel “Myra Breckinridge” to the gritty 1972 roller derby movie “Kansas City Bomber” to her Golden Globe-winning performance in the star-studded 1973 comedy “The Three Musketeers.”

Here’s a look at Raquel Welch’s life and career in photos.

Reese Witherspoon, Chris Meloni and Sandra Bernhard are among the many honoring Hollywood legend Raquel Welch, who died Wednesday at age 82.

A vertical color image of smiling Raquel Welch with shoulder-length hair.
Raquel Welch during promotion of her book “Beyond the Cleavage,” photographed at her home on March 25, 2010.
(Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
Raquel Welch, right, on set with Michael Richards
Michael Richards as Kramer and Raquel Welch as herself in an episode of “Seinfeld” from 1997.
(Chris Haston / NBC)
Advertisement
A color closeup of Raquel Welch
Raquel Welch arrives at the 2013 Women in Film pre-Emmy event at Scarpetta at the Montage hotel in Beverly Hills.
(Matt Sayles / Invision via Associated Press)
Actress Raquel Welch throws up her hands in dismay
Raquel Welch throws up her hands in dismay as it begins to rain as she looks at the London skyline during a party held at the London’s Dorchester hotel in April 1969.
(Associated Press)

From ‘Fantastic Voyage’ to ‘How to Be a Latin Lover,’ here’s how you can find some of Raquel Welch’s best movie performances.

Raquel Welch, in an exotic bathing suit, stands over people sleeping on the ground
Raquel Welch stands over people sleeping on the ground in a movie still from Stanley Donen’s 1967 British comedy “Bedazzled.”
(Bettmann Archive cie Getty Images)
Young Hollywood actress Raquel Welch touches the beard Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni
Raquel Welch touches the beard Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni was growing for his role in the film “Shoot Loud, Louder ... I Don’t Understand,” which was shot in Rome in 1966.
(Mario Torrisi / Associated Press)
Raquel Welch, starring in Broadway’s ‘Woman of the Year,’ poses with sailors
Raquel Welch, starring in Broadway’s “Woman of the Year,” poses with sailors from the ship Saipan and other servicemen on July 3, 1982, in New York.
(David Handschuh / Associated Press)
Raquel Welch appears during a rehearsal for the Broadway show "Woman of the Year,
Raquel Welch appears during a rehearsal for the Broadway show “Woman of the Year,” with Ed Nolfi, left, Sterling Clark and Paul Bogaev in 1981.
(Angel Franco / Associated Press)
Advertisement
Raquel Welch in a color photo wearing a leather, animal-skin bikini.
Raquel Welch in a publicity portrait for the 1966 film “One Million Years B.C.”
(20th Century-Fox / Getty Images)
American actress Raquel Welch as Loana, and English actor John Richardson as Turak, in 'One Million Years BC',
Raquel Welch as Loana and John Richardson as Turak in “One Million Years B.C.,” directed by Don Chaffey.
(Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images)
 Raquel Welch strikes a pose on the set of 'Fantastic Voyage.'
Raquel Welch in costume as Cora on the set of Richard Fleischer’s “Fantastic Voyage” in 1966.
(Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images)
Raquel Welch and British actor Michael York embrace while filming The Three Musketeers.
Raquel Welch and British actor Michael York in Richard Lester’s 1973 adaptation of “The Three Musketeers.”
(Sunset Boulevard / Corbis via Getty Images)
actor Raquel Welch brandishing a prop gun
A photo of Raquel Welch in the title role of “Hannie Caulder” (1971), directed by Burt Kennedy.
(Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images)
Raquel Welch wearing stars and stripes in a scene from the 1970 movie Myra Breckinridge.
Raquel Welch in a scene from the 1970 movie “Myra Breckinridge.”
(Screen Archives / Getty Images)
Advertisement
Beautiful Raquel Welch is a special guest as a slave priestess in the Magic Christian.
Raquel Welch and Ringo Starr in the 1969 satirical black comedy “The Magic Christian.”
(Bettmann / Bettmann Archive)
Advertisement