In 1966, Raquel Wells introduced herself to the public through the epic Hollywood adventure A Million Years B.C. Don Chaffee. In fact, in the film’s accompanying trailer, the then 26-year-old Wells is presented as “a wonderful stellar discovery of this or any other year.”

The American actress and model, who passed away yesterday at the age of 82, was indeed a sought-after big-screen star, both in the 1960s and 1970s, when she made a splash, and then continued to appear on television until about recently. and cinema. As we have said, of course, the defining year for her is 1966. She then also starred in the equally successful Fantastic Journey by Richard Fleischer, as well as three other films, including One Million Years B.C.

Despite a few jokes, her appearance there in a simple buckskin dress and the dynamism of her character catapulted her to fame among a mostly male audience, who certainly did not fail to establish or quickly mold her as a sex symbol.

However, the specific role was later considered an early example and at the same time a forerunner of subsequent female action heroes.

Sexier than Bardo

Indeed, Raquel Welles was not only a beauty or one of the “100 Sexiest Stars of the 20th century”, according to Playboy magazine, which put her in 3rd place in the corresponding list (the first was Jayne Mansfield, the second was Marilyn Monroe). and number 4 Brigitte Bardot). Instead, she received a Golden Globe in 1975 for her role as Constance in Richard Lester’s The Three Musketeers, starring Faye Dunaway and Charlton Easton, and received another nomination in 1987 for The Right to Die.

In 1975, she even showed off her vocal skills in an unforgettable live performance of “I’m a Woman” with Cher. Yet as a symbol of feminine beauty, Wells remains a legend, one of those who don’t need plastic surgery or endless Botox to appear.

Her death was reported by her son Damon Wells, without specifying the reason.