Mona Rico

• Name — Mona Rico • Birth Name — Enriqueta de Valenzuela • Born — 15 July 1907 • Birthplace — Mexico City, Mexico • Died — 15 July 1994 • Place of death — Los Angeles, California, U.S. • Spouse — James N. Crofton • Occupation — Actress Mona Rico (born Enriqueta de Valenzuela;

Born Enriqueta de Valenzuela, she came to Hollywood from Mexico City at the age of 19 in April 1928 and secured a five-year acting contract. Her first role of significance came opposite John Barrymore as the third lead in a United Artists motion picture, Eternal Love. It was reported that she was sitting in the casting room of the studio when a girl's hands were needed in a film test being made by Ernst Lubitsch. She was sent to Lubitsch and, after her hands were recorded, he made an entire test of her. The following day she obtained her contract. She was cast as a Spanish dancing girl in Shanghai Lady.

Rico became an American citizen at age 23. She married wealthy sportsman James N. Crofton, part-owner of the Agua Caliente Club resort in Baja, California, on October 19, 1932. On July 13, 1932, Rico was with Crofton on a plane which crashed near Mexico City. The pilot/airline owner was killed and Rico was injured. Rico filed suit for separate maintenance in March 1933 and asked for a sum of $2,000 monthly from Crofton. In the action, Rico stated she was a motion picture actress who earned $375 per week before the wedding. However, she was no longer able to make her living as an actress because of facial injuries sustained in the airplane crash. The proceedings were later withdrawn, and a reconciliation was followed by a second honeymoon to Hawaii. In October 1933 it was rumored that Crofton had established residence in Reno, Nevada to obtain a divorce. He denied this, saying that he was in Reno for a business trip and planned to visit Rico in San Diego, California, afterward. On October 18, 1933, Rico obtained a divorce decree in San Diego. She charged cruelty and was awarded $500 a month alimony.

Rico died in Los Angeles, California on her 87th birthday, July 15, 1994.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1929 — Eternal Love — Pia • 1929 — Shanghai Lady — Rose • 1930 — Shadows of Glory — Helen Williams • 1930 — Alma de Gaucho — Elsa • 1930 — A Devil with Women — Alicia • 1930 — Big Money — Maid • 1932 — Thunder Below — Pajarita — Uncredited • 1935 — Goin' to Town — Dolores Lopez • 1937 — Zorro Rides Again — Carmelita — Serial, [Chs. 1, 9] • 1941 — My Life with Caroline — Minor Role — Uncredited, (final film role)