Evangelina Elizondo’s 90th Birthday

Today’s Doodle by Mexico City-based guest artist Valeria Alvarez celebrates Evangelina Elizondo, an actress who starred in movies, television shows, and musical theater during an era known as Mexican Cinema’s Golden Age. Born Gloria Evangelina Elizondo López-Llera in Mexico City on this day in 1929, the multi-talented artist was also an accomplished painter, author, and recording artist.

Elizondo’s big break came after being cast as the voice of Cinderella in the Spanish version of the Disney classic. She later made her stage debut dancing in the 1950 stage production of Mariano Azuelo’s Los de Abajo (The Underdogs) and also appeared in Mame and La Viuda Alegre (The Merry Widow) with Plácido Domingo.

Elizondo’s first on-screen appearance came in the 1951 film, Las locuras de Tin-Tan, with Germán “Tin-Tan” Valdés. She would act in over 75 films, specializing in comedies and musicals. “I do not like drama at all,” she said. “I do not want dramas in my life. What I've always wanted is to amuse the public, to whom I owe my career.” In 1995, she appeared with Anthony Quinn and Keanu Reeves in A Walk in the Clouds.

Elizondo also performed in several telenovelas, and her iconic character “Mamá Lena” in Mirada de Mujer was beloved by millions. She continued studying art throughout her life and also earned a degree in theology. The author of two books, she received a Harlequin Prize in 2014 for her contributions to Mexican culture.

Feliz cumpleaños, Evangelina Elizondo!

Guest artist Q&A with Valeria Alvarez

Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally?

A: Evangelina's career is special to me because I grew up watching or listening to her films :). Also, I admired that she developed in different activities.

Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project?

A: I felt excited, especially because Evangelina was a very special woman in Mexican cinema.

Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle?

A: In some interviews of Evangelina and some interesting facts about her career.

Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle?

A: I hope that people see a talented woman, who developed in different fields of the artistic world.