Rare Vintage Photographs Of Raquel Welch That Even Superfans Probably Won’t Remember

Prepare to bring your A-game, Raquel Welch superfans! We’ve dug deep into the past to find facts and photos that will test the limits of your knowledge. So step behind the curtain of Welch’s life with us and prepare to be stunned. Whether it’s a tidbit of info or a rare image, there’s bound to be something here to add to your arsenal of knowledge about a true movie icon.

Unknown Year: A star is born

Welch adored acting, but she was more interested in ballet dancing as a youth. She even fell for her teacher, Irene Clark. “Then came the day when this ballet goddess broke my heart,” Welch wrote in her 2010 autobiography, Raquel: Beyond the Cleavage. “When I was 17, Irene told me that I would never become a classical ballerina. She thought I would make a better comedienne.”

1960: Doe eyes

Even from a young age Welch got attention from males, which she described in her book as “uncomfortable, but intoxicating.” Most of it was unwanted though, with guys making various advances and even trying to lure her into their car. Luckily she learned to fend off creepers, a talent which served her well throughout the rest of her life. 

1960: Starting out

Welch’s popularity gave her the edge in landing a job as weather girl for San Diego news channel KFMB. The actress wrote in her autobiography, “It was a popular morning show called Sun Up and a great opportunity I didn’t want to miss. So I didn’t mind that I had to rise and shine each morning at 5:00 a.m. and leave early to tape the show.” 

1960: Picture perfect

Of course, Welch became famous for her allure, both on- and off-screen. This was something she and Curtis purposefully played up to for her rebranding. A 1964 issue of The Journal News wrote a feature of her titled “Starlet is Seeking Sultry Roles,” in which Welch said, “I think I can fit into roles that ask for glamor, sultriness and sexiness.”