Edith González

Edith González Fuentes (; 10 December 1964 – 13 June 2019) was a Mexican actress, regarded as a blonde bombshell and one of the most beautiful actresses in Mexican cinema. She is best remembered for working on multiple telenovelas produced by three different multimedia companies, which included Televisa, TV Azteca and Telemundo.

González made her acting debut on the telenovela produced by Televisa Cosa juzgada in 1970. She would later start a prominent career on multiple telenovelas produced by the same company, with her most famous works including Los ricos también lloran (1979–1980), Bianca Vidal (1982–1983), Corazón salvaje (1993–1994), Salomé (2001–2002), Mundo de fieras (2006–2007), Palabra de mujer (2007–2008) and Camaleones (2009–2010). In 2011, she moved to TV Azteca, the second best-known multimedia company in Mexico, where she starred in the telenovelas Cielo rojo (2011–2012), Vivir a destiempo (2013) and Las Bravo (2014–2015).

She also starred in the telenovelas produced by Telemundo Doña Bárbara (2008–2009) and Eva la Trailera in 2016, with the latter being her last leading acting role. Her last televised work was in 2019 as judge on the fashion program produced by TV Azteca, Este es mi estilo.

In film, she made her debut in the television film Un cuento de Navidad (1974). Beginning in films, she had little roles as an uncredited or extra actress in movies such as Alucarda, la hija de las tinieblas (1977), Cyclone (1978) and Guyana: Crime of the Century (1979). Continuing her career in films her most famous works included Trampa Infernal (1989), Salón México (1996), Señorita Justice (2004), Poquita Ropa (2011) and Deseo (2013).

As well as being actress of television and films, she also participated on plays such as Aventurera (theatrical adaptation of the film with the same name) produced by Carmen Salinas. For her work as an actress in films and telenovelas, she was nominated and awarded with prizes such as the Diosas de Plata and Heraldo de México.

Life and career

1964–1981: Childhood and child actress González was born on 10 December 1964 in Mexico City. Edith was discovered in a mall when both her and her mother went to buy shoes by a man who worked for Televisa, they urgently needed a beautiful girl with blonde hair and blue eyes - her mother accepted the offer and Edith with the help of her parents embarked in the Mexican Film Industry. She participated in school plays since her childhood and studied acting in New York, London and Paris. She was part of the academy of theater director Lee Strasberg, as well as studying at the Neighborhood Playhouse and the Actors Institute. El edificio de enfrente (1972), Mi primer amor (1973), Los miserables (1973), for which she was awarded in 1974 with an Heraldo award in the category of "revelation artist" and Lo imperdonable (1975).

She made her film debut in 1974 on the television film Canción de Navidad. Following this, some of her early films included El rey de los gorilas (1977), Alucarda, la hija de las tinieblas (1977), Cyclone (1978), Guyana: Crime of the Century (1979), and Cosa fácil (1982). and in which she also met and acted along Christian Bach with whom she had a longtime friendship until Bach's death. As a teenager, her works in telenovelas included Ambición (1980), and El hogar que yo robé (1981), in which she shared credits with Angélica María.

1982–1989: Transition to adult roles In 1982, González had her first leading role in the telenovela Bianca Vidal The next year in 1983, she participated on the telenovela La fiera. In 1984, she appeared on the film Adiós Lagunilla, adiós and had another leading role in the telenovela Sí, mi amor. as well as appearing on the telenovelas Monte Calvario, in which she had the leading role and Lista negra.

In 1987 she made an appearance as herself on the program Papá soltero and had her first villain role on the telenovela Rosa salvaje, she participated in this project until episode 48 and at the time several versions for her exit were woven. It was said that she had been fired, but in the words of González herself, she actually resigned because of the alleged mistreatment she received from the production of the series. Her character was replaced by Felicia Mercado. She acted on the horror film Trampa Infernal (1989), sharing credits with Pedro Fernández. Sentencia de muerte and Atrapados. El jugador and El descuartizador. This same year, she appeared on the episode "La heredera" (Spanish for, "The heiress") of the program Videoteatros: Véngan corriendo que les tengo un muerto as well as appearing on the program Televiteatros. She appeared on the film Los cómplices del infierno (1995), in which she shared credits with Maribel Guardia and Alfredo Adame. In 1995 and 1996 and under various roles, González made appearances for the anthology telenovela Mujer, Casos de la Vida Real, hosted by Golden Age of Mexican cinema actress, Silvia Pinal. She also appeared on the film Salón México (1996).

From August 1997 to the Spring of 1999, González participated on the play Aventurera produced by actress Carmen Salinas, this was the play depiction of the 1950 film of the same name. On the play she had the leading role and was the first to portrayed Elena Tejero (the main character), as well as being recognized by Salinas, the producer, as the best "Aventurera" for the play, even though after González, there were other portrayers for the leading role, such as Niurka Marcos, Ninel Conde, Susana González, among other more actresses. In 1999, she had the leading role in the telenovela Nunca te olvidaré, sharing credits with actor Fernando Colunga and also had a role on the telenovela Cuento de Navidad.

Returning to films in 2000, she took part on the short film Rogelio. In 2001, she had the leading role on the telenovela Salomé, sharing credits with María Rubio, Guy Ecker and Niurka Marcos. In 2002, she appeared on the comedy program XHDRbZ. In 2003, she made a special appearance on the program La hora pico. In 2004, she starred in the telenovela Mujer de madera, by producer Emilio Larrosa, but had to stop working that same year due to becoming pregnant. She was replaced by Ana Patricia Rojo in the production. Her next film role was in the movie Señorita Justice (2004), a rare English-language role in which she shared credits with Eva Longoria which was filmed on location in Miami, Florida. Returning to telenovelas in 2006, she took an antagonist role in the telenovela Mundo de fieras, of producer Salvador Mejía, where she shared credits with César Évora and Gaby Espino. This same year, she had another guest appearance on the program La hora pico. In 2007, she had a guest role on the black comedy program La familia P. Luche, in which she shared credits with Eugenio Derbez and Consuelo Duval. and also traveled to Romania for an acting role in the telenovela Inimă de țigan. And this same year, she also made an appearance on a Plaza Sesamo short film entitled Plaza Sésamo: Los monstruos feos más bellos (Sesame Square: The most beautiful ugly monsters). In 2009, she appeared with a role on the psychological thriller series Mujeres asesinas

2010–2019: TV Azteca and final works In 2010, González switched to TV Azteca, the second main Mexican broadcaster. She made her first appearance for the company during a program of the 2010 edition of la Academia La Academia Bicentenario. This same year, she appeared during the Mañanitas a la Virgen program, a special yearly transmission done by TV Azteca on December 12, in which different artists sing at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration day.

In 2011, she had her first leading role for the company on the telenovela Cielo rojo by Eric Vonn, sharing credits with Regina Torné and Mauricio Islas. She also returned to films on the television film Poquita ropa (2011), starred by singer Ricardo Arjona. In 2013, she had another leading role on the telenovela Vivir a destiempo, in which she shared credits with Humberto Zurita. This year, she also co-produced and acted in the film Deseo along with her longtime friend Christian Bach. In 2014, she had the leading role on the telenovela Las Bravo, in which she shared credits one more time with actor Mauricio Islas.

In 2016, she returned with the leading role on the telenovela produced by Telemundo, Eva la trailera. The telenovela and Telemundo were sued by Rolando Fernández, who accused them of plagiarism of his 1983 film Lola the Truck Driver. The lawsuit was ultimately won by Fernández. Despite this, the telenovela was retransmitted by Telemundo in 2019 following González's death as a tribute in her memory.

In 2017, she played a recurring role on the telenovela 3 familias, and appeared on the annual Mañanitas a la Virgen program. In 2019, González filmed her last film entitled Un sentimiento honesto en el calabozo del olvido, and served as a judge on the first season of fashion reality show Este es mi Estilo, with this being her last work and final television project.

Theater As well as being an actress for multiple films and television productions, González was also an actress of multiple plays such as Los árboles mueren de pie, Un día particular, Magnolias de acero, Buenas noches mamá, Entre mujeres, among others. Her most famous theater work was in the play Aventurera produced by Carmen Salinas for which she was the first actress to portray the lead character, Elena Tejero.

Personal life González had a daughter, Constanza (born 17 August 2004). Initially she did not disclose the father's name and decided to raise Constanza alone. In 2008, Mexican politician Santiago Creel acknowledged that he was Constanza's father. During an interview in August 2012, González shared that she had lost a baby previously without any further explanation by simply stating the following:

In 2010, González married Lorenzo Lazo Margáin. She was longtime friends with Argentine-Mexican actress Christian Bach, who died on February 26, 2019, due to respiratory failure. As an actress in TV Azteca, she was noted for being averse to doing bed scenes, asking for a body double to replace her in sex scenes.

Illness and death

In 2016, González was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer. She underwent surgery to have her ovaries, uterus and lymph nodes removed, and, in the words of the actress herself, she had overcome the cancer. In April 2019, it was rumored that she had suffered a cancer relapse; which the actress denied, adducing a trip to Guatemala.

On 13 June 2019, González died of the disease. She was declared medically brain dead and was later taken off life support by her family at noon, dying at the age of 54. Hours before her death the Mexican television daily morning program Hoy erroneously reported that she had already died, which was wrong since González's official hour of death was at 12:00 p.m. when her family decided to disconnect her, with this incident causing annoyance to her family. Also on 13 June, González's funeral was held at the Panteón Francés where she was accompanied by her family and famous colleagues of her acting career.

On 14 June, her body was moved to the Jorge Negrete theatre where a tribute was held for her with the attendance of fans, friends and family. After the tribute, she was moved to the Parque Memorial Gayosso in Naucalpan de Juárez, where she was buried alongside her father.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1974 Canción de Navidad Fanny, sister of Scrooge Film debut / Television film 1977 Alucarda, la hija de las tinieblas Village Girl Uncredited 1977 El rey de los gorilas Betty 1978 Cyclone Tiersa 1979 Guyana: Crime of the Century Commune member 1980 Fabricantes de pánico Jéssica 1982 Cosa fácil Elena's Friend Uncredited 1984 Adiós Lagunilla, adiós Mariela 1988 Pero sigo siendo el rey Laura 1988 Central camionera 1989 Trampa Infernal Alejandra 1990 El motel de la muerte Television film 1990 Sentencia de muerte 1990 Atrapados Flor 1991 El muerto 1991 El jugador Romy 1991 El descuartizador Dr. Verónica Arizméndi 1995 Los cómplices del infierno Sandra 1996 Salón México La Jaibita 1998 Las noches de aventurera Elena Tejeda / Herself Television film 2000 Rogelio Short film 2004 Señorita Justice Detective Christine Garcia English-language role 2008 Plaza Sésamo: Los monstruos feos más bellos Herself 2011 Poquita ropa Television film 2011 Ricardo Arjona Music video 2013 Deseo Actriz Associate producer 2017 Un sentimiento honesto en el calabozo del olvido Isabelle Batun

Telenovelas Year Title Role Notes 1970 Cosa juzgada Television debut 1971 Lucía Sombra Erika as a Child 1971 La maldición de la blonda 1971 El amor tiene cara de mujer 1972 El edificio de enfrente Martha 1973 Mi primer amor Lucía 1973 Los miserables Cosette as a Child 1975 Lo imperdonable Gloria as a Child 1979 Los ricos también lloran Marisabel 1980 Ambición Charito 1980 Soledad Luisita Sánchez Fuentes 1981 El hogar que yo robé Paulina 1982 Bianca Vidal Bianca Vidal Lead role 1982 Chispita 1983 La fiera Julie 1984 Sí, mi amor Susana Lead role 1986 Monte Calvario Ana Rosa Lead role 1986 Lista negra Mary 1987 Rosa salvaje Leonela Villarreal #1 Antagonist 1988 Flor y canela Florentina 1990 En carne propia Estefanía Muriel / Natalia de Jesús Ortega Lead role 1993 Corazón salvaje Mónica de Altamira Lead role 1996 La sombra del otro Lorna Madrigal Lead role 1997 La jaula de oro Oriana / Carolina Lead role 1999 Nunca te olvidaré Esperanza Gamboa Martel / Isabel Clara Martel Lead role 1999 Cuento de Navidad Josefina Coder 2001 Salomé Fernanda "Salomé" Quiñónez Lavalle Lead role 2004 Mujer de madera Marisa Santibáñez Villalpando Lead role 2006 Mundo de fieras Joselyn Rivas del Castillo Arizmendi de Cervantes-Bravo Main Antagonist 2007 Palabra de mujer Vanessa Noriega Lead role 2007 Inimă de țigan Diana de Aragón Romanian telenovela 2008 Doña Bárbara Doña Bárbara Guaimarán Lead role 2009 Camaleones Francisca Campos Co-lead role 2011 Cielo rojo Alma Durán de Molina Lead role 2011 A corazón abierto Andrea Carranti Special participation 2013 Vivir a destiempo Paula Duarte de Bermúdez Lead role 2014 Las Bravo Valentina Díaz de Bravo Lead role 2016 Eva la trailera Eva Soler Lead role 2017, 2018 3 familias Katy Recurring role

Television Year Title Role Notes 1986 La hora marcada 1987 Papá soltero Actriz Invitada 1 episode 1993 Videoteatros: Véngan corriendo que les tengo un muerto Episode: "La heredera" 1993 Televiteatros Leomela Villarreal 1995, 1996 Mujer, Casos de la Vida Real Various roles 2 episodes 2002 XHDRbZ Chulieta 2003 La hora pico Edith / Niña Salomé / Clienta enojada 2006 La hora pico Edith Adventure 2007 La familia P. Luche María Josefina 2009 Mujeres asesinas Clara Soler "Clara, fantasiosa" (Season 2, Episode 1) 2010 La Academia Bicentenario Herself 2010 Mañanitas a la Virgen Herself 2011 Mañanitas a la Virgen Herself 2017 Mañanitas a la Virgen Herself 2019 Este es mi estilo Herself Judge

Awards and nominations

Diosas de Plata awards Year Category Nominated work Result 2014 Best actress Deseo Nominated

Heraldo de México awards

Year Category Nominated work Result 1974 Revelation Artist Los miserables Won Best couple (with Christian Meier) Nominated 2010 Best TV Series Performance Mujeres Asesinas 2 Won

TVyNovelas awards

Year Category Nominated work Result 1994 TVyNovelas Award for Best Actress Corazón salvaje Won 2000 TVyNovelas Award for Best Actress Nunca te olvidare Nominated 2002 TVyNovelas Award for Best Actress Salomé Nominated 2005 TVyNovelas Award for Best Actress Mujer de madera Nominated 2007 TVyNovelas Award for Best Antagonist Actress Mundo de fieras Won Special award to the public's favorite star Won