Actress. One of Mexico’s leading entertainment personalities, she is most remembered for several dozen films made over a 40 year career. Born Maria Elena Marques Rangel she was raised in the Mexican Capital, made her silver screen bow in the 1942 “Two Hearts and One Tango”, and the next year was praised for her performance in “Dona Barbara”. Well known during the Mexican cinema’s ‘Golden Age’, Maria Elena’s best known role was to be that of a fisherman’s wife in the 1947 film adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel “The Pearl”, an appearance that earned her a Silver Ariel nomination. In 1951 she traveled north of the border to co-star with Clark Gable in “Across the Wide Missouri” and over the years continued to be seen on the big screen, her final appearance coming with 1981’s “El Testamento”. In addition to her movie work Maria Elena was also kept busy with frequent appearances on XEW in both radio and television “soaps” and was a regular on the Mexican stage. In 2002 she was presented a Special Silver Goddess Award for lifetime achievement. Maria Elena lived out her days in her home city and died of heart disease. (bio by: Bob Hufford)