The glamorous movie legend Raquel Welch has died at the age of 82. Welch is being remembered for numerous roles (discussed below) on the big screen, but — as one of the original “poster girls” — Welch is also being honored on social media for a role she played only as a prop.
Yes, it was the bikini-clad Welch who helped fictional convict Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) escape from prison in enormously popular movie The Shawshank Redemption, based on the Stephen King tale Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.
The famous poster of Welch covered the hole in the cell wall through which Dufresne gained his freedom.
Andy Dufresne will also be very sad by the news. RIP Raquel Welch. pic.twitter.com/bpyff4DpHk
— Nicola Tyzack 🎧💙🦚 (@call_me_cynical) February 15, 2023
Indeed, both Dufresne and Welch are trending on social media.
Raquel Welch (1940-2023) was a prominent American actress and model who had a successful career in the entertainment industry. Welch was known for her stunning looks and became a sex symbol in the 1960s and 1970s. Her iconic role in the film “One Million Years B.C.” (1966), in which she wore a fur bikini (yup, that one), is widely considered to have cemented her status as a sex symbol. Some of her top accomplishments and films include:
- “Fantastic Voyage” (1966): This science fiction film directed by Richard Fleischer was a major success and received critical acclaim. Welch played the role of Cora Peterson and was praised for her performance.
- “Hannie Caulder” (1971): Welch starred in this western film directed by Burt Kennedy, playing the role of a woman seeking revenge for the murder of her husband. Her performance was well-received by critics.
- “The Three Musketeers” (1973): Welch played the role of Constance Bonacieux in this film adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ classic novel. The film was a commercial success and received positive reviews.
- “Mother, Jugs & Speed” (1976): Welch starred in this comedy film about ambulance drivers. Her performance was praised, and the film was a moderate success.
- Television Work: Welch has also made numerous appearances on television shows, including “Raquel!” (1970-1971), “Central Park West” (1995-1996), and “American Family” (2002-2004).
More on the movie: “The Shawshank Redemption” is a 1994 American drama film directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 novella “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” by Stephen King. The film stars Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne, a banker who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence.
At the prison, Andy befriends Red (played by Morgan Freeman), a fellow inmate who is known for his ability to get things on the inside. Over time, Andy demonstrates his own resourcefulness by helping the prison staff with their tax returns and securing funds to expand the prison library. He also endures brutal treatment from the sadistic prison guard Captain Hadley (played by Clancy Brown) and befriends a number of other inmates, including Brooks (played by James Whitmore), an elderly inmate who has been incarcerated for decades.
As the years pass, Andy maintains his innocence and continues to hope for his release. He also develops a close friendship with Red, who becomes his confidant and eventually the key to his eventual escape. Through a series of intricate maneuvers and a bit of luck, Andy is able to escape the prison and start a new life in Mexico, leaving behind a trail of clues for Red to follow so that he too can join him.
The film was a critical and commercial success and is now considered one of the greatest films of all time. Its themes of hope, friendship, and perseverance in the face of adversity have resonated with audiences around the world.
