Actress. Born Maria Castaneda, to parents of Mexican-American descent, she had the distinction of being born on a train which was traveling from Mexico to Arizona. Her exotic beauty caught the attention of Paramount Studio which led to her film debut at the age of thirteen in a Spanish-speaking film in 1930. She was cast in the role of 'Tehani' (Billed as Movita) in the MGM film "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1935), which starred Clark Gable and Charles Laughton. During the next two decades, she found scores of credits, among them in the features "Rose of the Rio Grande" (1938), "Wolf Call" (1939), "Fort Apache" (1948), "The Furies" (1950) and "Dream Wife" (1953). Following a twenty-year retirement from the entertainment industry, she returned to play the part on 'Ana' in the TV series "Knots Landing" (1987 to 1989). She was formerly married to Irish professional boxer Jack Doyle and later actor Marlon Brando. Her marriage with Brando produced their children Miko and Rebecca.
Actress. Born Maria Castaneda, to parents of Mexican-American descent, she had the distinction of being born on a train which was traveling from Mexico to Arizona. Her exotic beauty caught the attention of Paramount Studio which led to her film debut at the age of thirteen in a Spanish-speaking film in 1930. She was cast in the role of 'Tehani' (Billed as Movita) in the MGM film "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1935), which starred Clark Gable and Charles Laughton. During the next two decades, she found scores of credits, among them in the features "Rose of the Rio Grande" (1938), "Wolf Call" (1939), "Fort Apache" (1948), "The Furies" (1950) and "Dream Wife" (1953). Following a twenty-year retirement from the entertainment industry, she returned to play the part on 'Ana' in the TV series "Knots Landing" (1987 to 1989). She was formerly married to Irish professional boxer Jack Doyle and later actor Marlon Brando. Her marriage with Brando produced their children Miko and Rebecca.
Bio by: C.S.
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