Actress and model Raquel Welch has passed away at the age of 82.
Shock waves rolled through the entertainment industry as the death of the Hollywood icon best known for her roles in the 1966 films Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C. was announced yesterday.
Welch was one of the most celebrated Hollywood beauties of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, and according to a statement by her representative (cited by ABC News), she passed away "peacefully after a brief illness".
"Her career spanned over 50 years starring in over 30 films and 50 television series and appearances. The Golden Globe winner, in more recent years, was involved in a very successful line of wigs," the rep continued. "Raquel leaves behind her two children, son Damon Welch and her daughter, Tahnee Welch."
The actress was born on September 5, 1940, in Chicago, to Bolivian father Armando Carlos Tejeda - an aerospace engineer - and his Irish American wife, Josephine Sarah Hall. When she was two years old, she and her family moved to San Diego.
Welch always had a passion for the performing arts at a young age so her parents enrolled her in dance lessons and she also earned teen beauty titles including Miss La Jolla and Miss San Diego.
The Hannie Clauder star shot to fame with her role as a bikini-clad cavewoman in 1966's One Million Years BC - after that her stellar career spanned half a century and she featured in high-profile roles such as Bedazzled (1967), and Bandolero! (1968).
In the late '60s into the '70s, Welch earned international fame with her roles in the Frank Sinatra film Lady In Cement, and alongside Jim Brown in 100 Rifles.
Then, later in her career, she made several appearances in a slew of television shows and films, such as Legally Blonde, House of Versace, 8 Simple Rules, CSI: Miami, and more.
Welch also won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy for her 1974 role in The Three Musketeers.
Tributes from the entertainment industry have since poured in for the actress after her death was announced. Her Legally Blonde costar, Reese Witherspoon, tweeted: "So sad to hear about Raquel Welch's passing. I loved working with her on Legally Blonde.
"She was elegant, professional, and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home. Sending love to her family and her many fans," the 46-year-old added.
The official Twitter account for the Muppets' character Miss Piggy shared a photo of Welch and the puppet with the caption: "Raquel Welch was one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever worked with. Performing a duet with her on The Muppet Show helped moi become the W-O-M-A-N I am today! We’ll never forget vous, Raquel!"
Actress Laraine Newman, who was part of the original Saturday Night Live cast, penned: "When Raquel Welch hosted SNL, I had a sketch with her in which I played Lina Wermuller. It was cut because she wanted to sing a song instead but a couple of years later she sent me a postcard from Italy with Wertmuller’s autograph. RIP sweet lady."
Actor Paul Feig said he enjoyed working with her on the TV series Sabrina the Teenage Witch and wrote: "Kind, funny and a true superstar whom I was pretty much in love with for most of my childhood," adding: "We've lost a true icon."
Despite her renowned public image, Welch always expressed discomfort with the representation of her body, and one said she "was not brought up to be a sex symbol, nor is it in my nature to be one," per BBC.
"The fact that I became one is probably the loveliest, most glamorous, and fortunate misunderstanding," the Hollywood actress added.
She leaves behind her son and daughter - who is also an actress.
Our thoughts are with Raquel Welch's family, friends, and fans at this time.
