RIP RAQUEL WELCH

1940-2023

Raquel Welch was born Jo Raquel Tejada in Chicago, Illinois. Her father was from Bolivia, and her mother was of English descent.  As a young actress, her first role was playing a call girl in 1964′s A House is Not a Home starring Shelley WInters, Robert Taylor, and Cesar Romero. Her first TV appearance aired that same year. 

During the 1960s, Welch soared to international fame as a sex symbol and pin-up model, disproving the popular opinion that only blondes could be sex symbols. 

“Being a sex symbol was rather like being a convict. The mind is an erogenous zone.” ~ Raquel Welch

Although she never acted opposite Lucille Ball, her name did make its way into her sitcoms.  Welch was first mentioned in “Lucy Visits Jack Benny” (1968). The Carters take a vacation rental at Jack Benny’s Palm Springs home. Benny tells Harry that his room is more expensive but that it overlooks Raquel Welch’s patio. When he learns that she sunbathes every day, miserly Harry eagerly agrees to the extra expense. Welch had three films in release in 1968: The Biggest Bundle of Them All, Bandolero, and Lady in Cement. She was also a real-life resident of Palm Springs.  

In “Lucy and Johnny Carson” (1969), Harry plans to take Lucy and the kids to the taping of an educational TV panel show titled “The Origin of Money,” which Lucy says he drools over like he’s watching Raquel Welch take a bubble bath.

In April 1970 Welch hosted her own TV special “Raquel!” Her popularity led to her becoming one of the most mentioned people on television, especially on “Here’s Lucy.” 

In “Lucy the American Mother” (1970), Craig makes a film about Lucy. When she can’t seem to act natural in front of the camera, Lucy suggests he get someone else to play his mother; someone like Raquel Welch, Carol Burnett, or Don Knotts.

In “Lucy Competes with Carol Burnett” (1970) ~ Carol and Lucy have a battle of wits to see who will win the Secretary Beautiful Pageant. 

CAROL (to Lucy): “Compared to you, Tiny Tim looks like Raquel Welch.”  

The two stars will again be mentioned In “Lucy and the Drum Contest” (1970), guest star Buddy Rich says he dreams about Raquel Welch. Listening to Craig play, he tells him to hit the cymbals harder. 

RICH: “You’re not Tiny Tim tip-toeing through the tulips.”  

In “Lucy the Crusader” (1970), it is Craig’s 18th birthday. 

• LUCY (about Craig’s birthday present): “It’s something you’ve always wanted.” 
• CRAIG: “Raquel Welch?”  

It turns out to be a stereo. 

In “Lucy and Carol Burnett aka The Unemployment Follies” (1971), Carol jokingly tells Lucy that ‘Carol Krausmeyer’ isn’t her professional name when acting – it’s Raquel Welch. She looks down at her bosom and says: 

CAROL: “Ok, someone let the air out.”

This joke refers to voluptuous Welch’s ample bosom. 

In “My Fair Buzzi” (1972), Harry tries to flatter the newly-transformed Annie Whipple (Ruth Buzzi) by saying his only regret is that he’s already promised to Raquel Welch.  

LUCY & WELCH 

“Will The Real Mr. Sellers…” (1969) was a psuedo documentary telefilm about the making of Sellers feature The Magic Christian. Lucy and Raquel (who was also in The Magic Christian, with Ringo Starr, above), both had cameos as themselves, but not in the same scenes. 

“The AFI Tribute To Henry Fonda” (1978) ~ Lucy and Welch are both on hand to tribute Fonda. Welch never worked with Fonda. 

“Night of 100 Stars 2″ (1985) ~ Raquel Welch (above with then husband Andre Weinfeld) was joined by Lucille Ball, Lucie Arnaz, and 97 other luminaries on the stage of Radio City Music Hall. 

“The 61st Annual Academy Awards” (1989) ~ Raquel Welch was in the audience and Lucille Ball was a presenter, her final public appearance before her death. 

Raquel Welch continued acting into 2017. She died at age 82 after a short illness. She was married four times and had two children, including actress Tahnee Welch.