She was born Margarita Carmen Cansino on October 17, 1918, and at the age of three was
learning to dance as a member of The Dancing Cansinos. In 1935, she shortened her name to Rita
Cansino and appeared as (what else) a dancer in Dante's Inferno. By 1937, she had taken her
mother's maiden name, Haworth, and was appearing regularly in supporting roles. Her first husband
promoted her tirelessly until breaks came in prominent roles in Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
and Blood and Sand (1941); and the movies' Love Goddess was born.
Who can forget her steamy portrayal of Gilda (1946), or her unique and moving Miss Sadie
Thompson (1953)?
Rita died on May 14, 1987 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. Her daughter, Princess
Yasmin Aga Khan, continues as a prominent leader in the fight against Alzheimer's.
Filmography
Wrath of God, The (1972)
Naked Zoo, The (1971)
Road to Salina (1971)
Bastardi, I (1968)
aka Cats, The Avventuriero, L' (1967)
aka Rover, The Poppies Are Also Flowers (1966)
Money Trap, The (1965)
Circus World (1964)
Happy Thieves, The (1962)
They Came to Cordura (1959)
Story on Page One, The (1959)
Separate Tables (1958)
Fire Down Below (1957)
Pal Joey (1957)
Salome (1953)
Miss Sadie Thompson (1953)
Affair in Trinidad (1952)
Champagne Safari (1952)
Lady from Shanghai, The (1948)
Loves of Carmen, The (1948)
Down to Earth (1947)
Gilda (1946)
Tonight and Every Night (1945)
Cover Girl (1944)
Show Business at War (1943)
My Gal Sal (1942)
Tales of Manhattan (1942)
You Were Never Lovelier (1942)
Affectionately Yours (1941)
Blood and Sand (1941) ....
Strawberry Blonde, The (1941)
You'll Never Get Rich (1941)
Angels Over Broadway (1940)
Blondie on a Budget (1940)
Lady in Question, The (1940)
Music in My Heart (1940)
Susan and God (1940)
Homicide Bureau (1939)
Lone Wolf Spy Hunt, The (1939)
Only Angels Have Wings (1939)
Special Inspector (1939)
Convicted (1938)
Juvenile Court (1938)
Renegade Ranger, The (1938)
There's Always a Woman (1938)
Who Killed Gail Preston? (1938)
Trouble in Texas (1937) (as Rita Cansino)
Criminals of the Air (1937)
Game That Kills, The (1937)
Girls Can Play (1937)
Hit the Saddle (1937) (as Rita Cansino) Old Louisiana
(1937) (as Rita Cansino) Paid To Dance (1937)
Shadow, The (1937)
Human Cargo (1936) (as Rita Cansino)
Meet Nero Wolfe (1936) (as Rita Cansino)
Rebellion (1936) (as Rita Cansino)
Dante's Inferno (1935) (as Rita Cansino)
Charlie Chan in Egypt (1935) (as Rita Cansino)
Paddy O'Day (1935) (as Rita Cansino)
Under the Pampas Moon (1935) (as Rita Cansino)
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