#latin lover

GAY ICONS CESAR ROMERO

The man who would someday be one of the most famous Jokers of all time was born in New York City on February 15, 1907, the son of a Cuban mother and Spanish father.

In his early movies, Cesar Julio Romero played Italian gangsters, East Indian princes, and other character roles. But the 6’2” tall actor was handsome and soon was featured as a Latin Lover. By 1935, Romero starred in "The Devil is a Woman" opposite Marlene Dietrich.

Cesar Romero was the quintessential "confirmed bachelor”, often seen out on the town escorting actresses and other beautiful women to movie premieres and night clubs. And he was fully prepared for all that night life. At the time it was reported that Romero owned more than 30 tuxedos, 200 sport coats and 500 tailored suits.

“You see, very, very often, I was out dancing with one actress or another. And that got press. Even when it didn’t, the whole town knew I was a dancing fool, and since I couldn’t very well dance with a man, they saw me dancing with a lady, and… what they saw was what they got in their heads.”

Romero never married. Some sources say that Cesar Romeo was gay who lived with his sister and conducted discrete affairs with other men. Other sources say Romero's homosexuality was Hollywood's worst kept secret.

Among his list of probably lovers were Tyrone Power, Gene Raymond, Van Johnson. Stories of these actors as being gay or bisexual have circulated for years so this is easy to accept. (But to be honest I find it hard to believe Romero performed oral sex on Desi Arnez as reported in the book “Hollywood Gay”.)

Cesar Romero seemed the least likely actor to be cast as The Joker in the 1960s Batman series. But there he was, with his signature mustache covered in think white make-up (he refused to shave it) in 22 episodes and one movie.

“We have a lot of fun doing this show... It's a part that you can do everything that you've always been told not to do as an actor. In other words, you can get as hammy as you like and go all out. It's great fun, I enjoy it.”

Romero died of a pneumonia-related blood clot on New Years Day in 1994 in Santa Monica, California,

Throwback Thursday: Unseen photos of Shawn Michaels and Latin Lover (Victor Manuel Resendiz Ruiz) for Royal Rumble promo

Source: WWE gallery

also bonus photo of Shawn poking fun of his poster on the bus: