Raul Salvador Intini Pepe Roulien, also professionally known as Raul Roulien, was a multifaceted Brazilian individual who made a lasting impact in the entertainment industry. Born on October 7, 1904, he went on to become a renowned actor, singer, screenwriter, and film director.
Throughout his illustrious career, Roulien worked briefly in Hollywood during the waning days of the "Latin lover" phenomenon, a term coined for the Italian actor Rudolph Valentino. This era saw the Jewish-American actor Jacob Krantz change his name to Ricardo Cortez, reflecting the significance of this cultural trend.
Roulien's rise to fame began in 1928, when he started recording and gained recognition as a theater actor and composer. He was, in fact, the greatest Brazilian heartthrob of his time. That same year, he co-founded the theatrical company Abigail Maia-Raul Roulien with his then-wife, actress Abigail Maia. Together, they developed a unique genre called "frivolity theater," which consisted of quick shows performed between breaks in the cinema.
At the age of 29, Roulien ventured to the United States, where he was signed to 20th Century Fox in 1931. He worked with the studio from 1931 to 1934, appearing in a total of 18 films, including the notable "Delicious" (1931) and "Flying Down to Rio" (1933). The latter film featured Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in their first dance together.
Tragedy struck in 1933 when Roulien's second wife, Diva Tosca (née Tosca Izabel Querze),was fatally hit by a car on Sunset Boulevard, driven by John Huston.
This biography is based on the Wikipedia article Raul Roulien.
