Editing Raquel Welch (section)

=== 1980–2017: Subsequent projects and later years ===

==== Television ====

In 1982, Welch starred in the Western ''[[The Legend of Walks Far Woman]]'' for [[NBC]].<ref name="Collins-1982">{{Cite news |last = Collins |first = Glenn |date = May 28, 1982 |title = Walks Far Woman radical departure for Raquel Welch |work = The Shreveport Journal |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118736522/walks-far-woman-radical-departure-for/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216093201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118736522/walks-far-woman-radical-departure-for/ |url-status = live }}</ref> Billed as her "first TV movie dramatic debut", Welch played a 19th-century Native American woman in Montana.<ref name="Collins-1982" /> In the summer of 1982, Welch was among the candidates considered for the role of [[Alexis Carrington]] on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] primetime drama ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'', along with Elizabeth Taylor and [[Sophia Loren]], before the producers settled on [[Joan Collins]].<ref>{{Cite news |last = Edelstein |first = Andy |date = April 30, 2006 |title = Take 5: 'Dynasty' rises again |work = Newsday |url = https://www.proquest.com/docview/279958745 |access-date = February 17, 2023|archive-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100653/https://www.proquest.com/docview/279958745/784F8DC5DEAC41E1PQ/16 |id = {{ProQuest|279958745}} |url-status = live }}</ref>

[[File:Raquel Welch.jpg|thumb|upright=.9|alt=Welch in a dark scoop top, wide belt, and tuxedo-styled jacket, hair styled up|Welch at the 39th Emmy Awards Governor's Ball in September 1987]]
In 1987, Welch starred in the television drama ''[[Right to Die (film)|Right to Die]]'', an "unglamorous" role in which she portrayed a college professor and mother of two stricken with [[Lou Gehrig's disease]], and asks to die with dignity.<ref name="Buck-1987">{{Cite news |last = Buck |first = Jerry |date = October 12, 1987 |title = Raquel Welch looks anything but glamorous in fact-based drama |work = The Macon Telegraph |agency = Associated Press |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118826580/raquel-welch-looks-anything-but/ |access-date = February 17, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100650/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118826580/raquel-welch-looks-anything-but/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

Welch starred in the made-for-television films ''[[Scandal in a Small Town]]'' (1988), ''[[Trouble in Paradise (1989 film)|Trouble in Paradise]]'' (1989), and ''[[Torch Song (1993 film)|Torch Song]]'' (1993).<ref>Hanauer, Joan. (April 9, 1988). [https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/04/09/Raquel-shows-off-her-best-asset-her-IQ/5144576561600/ Raquel shows off her best asset{{snd}}her IQ.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926052011/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/04/09/Raquel-shows-off-her-best-asset-her-IQ/5144576561600/|date=September 26, 2018}} UPI. Retrieved August 7, 2018.</ref> In 1995, she was a guest star in [[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman season 2|''Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman'']].<ref name="TV Guide-1995">{{Cite news |title = Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman season 2 episodes |work = TV Guide |url = https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/lois-and-clark-the-new-adventures-of-superman/episodes-season-2/1030005460/ |access-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100650/https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/lois-and-clark-the-new-adventures-of-superman/episodes-season-2/1030005460/ |url-status = live }}</ref> In the Season 2 episode "Top Copy", Welch played a television reporter and assassin who threatens to expose Clark's identity as Superman.<ref name="TV Guide-1995" /><ref>{{Cite news |date = May 8, 1995 |title = TV Listings |work = The Sydney Morning Herald |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118825392/tv-listings/ |access-date = February 17, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100650/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118825392/tv-listings/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

In 1996, Welch joined the cast of the night-time soap opera ''[[Central Park West (TV series)|Central Park West]]'', after CBS had already slated it for cancellation, as creator [[Darren Star]] made a final attempt to save the show by boosting its ratings late in its first season.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Schleier |first = Curt |date = June 5, 1996 |title = Too little, too late? |work = Fort Worth Star-Telegram |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118825572/too-little-too-late/ |access-date = February 17, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100721/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118825572/too-little-too-late/ |url-status = live }}</ref> She was a guest star on the American comedy series ''[[Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV series)|Sabrina, the Teenage Witch]]'' (1997), playing Sabrina's flamboyant Aunt Vesta from the realm called the Pleasuredome.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Duffy |first = Mike |date = March 14, 1997 |title = TV Weekend – What's worth watching |work = Detroit Free Press |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118826116/tv-weekend-sabrina-the-teenage-witch/ |access-date = February 17, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100651/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118826116/tv-weekend-sabrina-the-teenage-witch/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

Welch acted in the Season 8 finale of the comedy series ''[[Seinfeld]]'', titled "[[The Summer of George]]" (1997), playing an exaggerated and highly temperamental version of herself.<ref name="Gettell-2023">{{Cite magazine |last = Gettell |first = Oliver |date = February 15, 2023 |title = Remembering Raquel Welch's iconic 'Seinfeld' episode |magazine = [[Entertainment Weekly]] |url = https://ew.com/tv/remembering-raquel-welch-seinfeld-episode/ |access-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216091259/https://ew.com/tv/remembering-raquel-welch-seinfeld-episode/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last = Dickie |first = George |date = November 21, 2004 |title = NBC special, DVD release inspire 'Seinfeld' top 10 episode list |work = The Tribune |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118742750/the-summer-of-george/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216155223/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118742750/the-summer-of-george/ |url-status = live }}</ref> In the episode, ranked by [[Zap2it]] as one of the top 10 episodes of ''Seinfeld'', series character [[Cosmo Kramer|Kramer]] is forced to fire Welch from the lead role in a fictional [[Tony Award]]-winning musical called "Scarsdale Surprise", while the character [[Elaine Benes|Elaine]] gets into a "catfight" with her after a chance encounter on the street.<ref name="Gettell-2023" /> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote, "By delivering a pitch-perfect performance as a fire-breathing prima donna, Welch also poked fun at her reputation (fairly earned or not) for being difficult to work with."<ref name="Gettell-2023" />

[[File:Raquel Welch 2000.jpg|thumb|upright=.9|Welch in 2000]]
In 2002, Welch co-starred in the [[PBS]] series ''[[American Family (2002 TV series)|American Family]]'', a story about a Mexican American family in [[Eastside Los Angeles|East Los Angeles]], with [[Edward James Olmos]].<ref name="Navarro-2002">{{Cite news |last = Navarro |first = Mireya |date = June 12, 2002 |title = I, Latina |work = The Albuquerque Tribune |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118742495/i-latina-raquel-welch-reclaims-her/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216155732/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118742495/i-latina-raquel-welch-reclaims-her/ |url-status = live }}</ref> Her role as Aunt Dora, the "drama queen of the family", marked the first time in her 40-year career that Welch had acknowledged her heritage as a [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Latina]].<ref name="Navarro-2002" />

[[File:RaquelWelchApr2010.jpg|thumb|upright=.9|alt=Welch during an appearance in April 2010|Welch in 2010]]
In 2008, Welch appeared in ''[[Welcome to The Captain]]'' on [[CBS]], playing a "sultry actress"; according to one critic, she was "spoofing herself".<ref>{{Cite news |last = Bobbin |first = Jay |date = February 3, 2008 |title = Welch spoofs herself in Welcome to the Captain |work = The Buffalo News |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118742539/welch-spoofs-herself-in-welcome-to-the/ |access-date = February 17, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100651/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118742539/welch-spoofs-herself-in-welcome-to-the/ |url-status = live }}</ref> She guest starred on ''[[CSI: Miami]]'' in 2012 and played Aunt Lucia in the 2013 [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] original movie ''[[House of Versace]]''. In 2015, she portrayed Miss Sally May Anderson in the television drama ''The Ultimate Legacy''.<ref>{{Cite web |title = The Ultimate Legacy – Full Cast & Crew |url = https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-ultimate-legacy/cast/2000364642/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |website = TV Guide |archive-date = February 17, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230217100651/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-ultimate-legacy/cast/2000364642/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

Welch played the mother-in-law of [[Barry Watson (actor)|Barry Watson]]'s character in a Canadian sitcom titled ''[[Date My Dad]]'' (2017) where she reunited with [[Robert Wagner]] on screen, five decades after starring together in ''The Biggest Bundle of Them All''.<ref>Nolasco, Stephanie. (October 26, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/raquel-welch-talks-working-with-robert-wagner-meeting-elvis-presley-and-frank-sinatra Raquel Welch talks working with Robert Wagner, meeting Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.]  Fox News. Retrieved October 28, 2017.</ref>

==== Film ====

Welch was due to star in a 1982 adaptation of [[John Steinbeck]]'s ''[[Cannery Row (film)|Cannery Row]]'', but was abruptly fired by the producers a few weeks into production. The studio claimed she was not living up to her contract, by refusing early-morning rehearsals, and was replaced with [[Debra Winger]]. Welch sued [[MGM]] for breach of contract.<ref>Robertson, Carol. (2012). ''The Little Book of Movie Law''. Chicago: ABA Book Publishing, American Bar Association. [https://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/publications/tyl/topics/poplaw/all-about-eve-fickle-director-demanding-star-welch-v-metro-goldwyn-mayer-film-co.html/ "All About Eve: The Fickle Director and the Demanding Star – Welch v. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film Co."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806163803/https://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/publications/tyl/topics/poplaw/all-about-eve-fickle-director-demanding-star-welch-v-metro-goldwyn-mayer-film-co.html/ |date=August 6, 2020 }}</ref> Studio executives claimed in testimony the reason Welch was following through with the trial was that she was an actress over 40 and generally actresses in that age range cannot get roles any more. Welch's evidence at trial proved there was a conspiracy to falsely blame her for the film's budget problems and delays. The jury sided with Welch and she won a $10.8&nbsp;million verdict against MGM in 1986.<ref>Modderno, Craig. (June 26, 1986). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/06/26/welch-celebrates-verdict-hollywood-cautious-on-rulings-impact/ba9261f4-2279-41ee-bf74-7f014c02dab9/ "Welch Celebrates Verdict Hollywood Cautious on Ruling's Impact"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041230/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1986/06/26/welch-celebrates-verdict-hollywood-cautious-on-rulings-impact/ba9261f4-2279-41ee-bf74-7f014c02dab9/ |date=December 1, 2017 }} ''The Washington Post''</ref><ref>Murphy, Kim. (June 25, 1986). [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-25-me-20292-story.html "Raquel Welch Awarded $10.8 Million Over Firing"]  ''Los Angeles Times''</ref>

Despite the win, Welch wished the whole episode never had happened. "I just wanted to clear my reputation and get back to my work, my work in movies", she said.<ref>AP (June 25, 1986). [https://apnews.com/7132962d64d84c928d3e09393cdd78ea "Raquel Welch Wins $10.8 Million Judgment"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006231204/https://apnews.com/7132962d64d84c928d3e09393cdd78ea |date=October 6, 2022 }}. APnewsarchive.com.</ref> But she was blackballed by the industry and the incident affected her film career on the big screen from that moment on.<ref>Higgins, Bill. (December 10, 2015). [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-flashback-raquel-welch-fired-845470/ "Hollywood Flashback: When Raquel Welch, Fired and Replaced by an Actress 15 Years Younger, Sued MGM (and Won)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117174837/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-flashback-raquel-welch-fired-845470 |date=November 17, 2017 }} Retrieved November 14, 2017, from ''The Hollywood Reporter''</ref>

In 1994, Welch made a cameo appearance in ''[[Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult|Naked Gun {{frac|33|1|3}}: The Final Insult]]'', in the scene where [[Leslie Nielsen]]'s character crashes the [[Academy Awards]].<ref>{{Cite news |last = Portman |first = Jamie |date = March 19, 1994 |title = Nielsen a man with a mission |work = North Bay Nugget |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118735968/nielsen-a-man-with-a-mission-raquel/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216082622/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118735968/nielsen-a-man-with-a-mission-raquel/ |url-status = live }}</ref> In 2001, she had a cameo in the comedy film ''[[Legally Blonde]]'' with [[Reese Witherspoon]], playing a wealthy ex-wife in court.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Murray |first = Steve |date = July 13, 2001 |title = Witherspoon's not-so-smart role choice |work = The Atlanta Constitution |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118741741/witherspoons-not-so-smart-role-choice/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216153444/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118741741/witherspoons-not-so-smart-role-choice/ |url-status = live }}</ref> Also that year, Welch appeared in ''[[Tortilla Soup]]'', a family comedy-drama inspired by [[Ang Lee]]'s ''[[Eat Drink Man Woman]]'', playing Hortensia, a domineering mother determined to marry the master chef who thinks he is losing his sense of smell and taste.<ref>{{Cite news |last = Maurstad |first = Tom |date = October 19, 2001 |title = 'Tortilla Soup' has a big helping of family charm |work = The Spokesman-Review |agency = Dallas Morning News |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118741999/tortilla-soup-has-a-big-helping-of/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216154455/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118741999/tortilla-soup-has-a-big-helping-of/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

Welch starred in ''[[Forget About It (film)|Forget About It]]'' (2006), a mobster comedy in which Burt Reynolds, [[Robert Loggia]], and [[Charles Durning]] competed for her affection.<ref>{{Cite news |date = October 26, 2006 |title = Capsule reviews – Opening this week – Forget About It |work = Hartford Courant |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118742213/capsule-reviews-opening-this-week/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216154913/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118742213/capsule-reviews-opening-this-week/ |url-status = live }}</ref> She played a single billionaire grandmother in the romantic comedy ''[[How to Be a Latin Lover]]'' (2017).<ref>{{Cite news |last = Cordova |first = Randy |date = April 27, 2017 |title = Derbez charms in good-natured Latin Lover |work = Green Bay Press-Gazette |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118735908/derbez-charms-in-good-natured-latin/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216081804/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118735908/derbez-charms-in-good-natured-latin/ |url-status = live }}</ref>

==== Stage ====

In December 1972, Welch made her [[nightclub]] debut at the [[Las Vegas Hilton]];<ref>{{Cite news |last = Beck |first = Marilyn |date = October 28, 1972 |title = Co-Star Says What Raquel Welch Is Rhymes With Witch |work = The Charlotte Observer |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118735766/co-star-says-what-raquel-welch-is/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216081003/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118735766/co-star-says-what-raquel-welch-is/ |url-status = live }}</ref> her act preceded [[Elvis Presley]]'s.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Elvis Presley and Raquel Welch |url = https://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/raquel-welch.html |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210801111043/https://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictures/raquel-welch.html |archive-date = August 1, 2021 |access-date = August 1, 2021 }}</ref> Over the next decade, she took her nightclub act to other venues, and starred in television specials featuring her singing and dancing.<ref name="Collins-1982" /> She released the dance single "This Girl's Back In Town", which peaked at No. 29 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s dance club chart in 1988,<ref name="Billboard-1988">''Billboard''. {{Cite magazine |url = https://www.billboard.com/music/raquel-welch/chart-history/dance-club-play-songs/song/351536 |title = Raquel Welch. Chart History: This Girl's Back In Town |magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |access-date = December 1, 2021 |archive-date = May 10, 2018 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180510153733/https://www.billboard.com/music/raquel-welch/chart-history/dance-club-play-songs/song/351536 |url-status = dead }}</ref> along with a music video.<ref name="Buck-1987" />

In December 1981, Welch starred on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] in ''[[Woman of the Year]]'' for two weeks, filling in for [[Lauren Bacall]] in the title role while Bacall was on vacation.<ref name="Collins-1982" /> Critics were so enthusiastic about Welch's performance, she was invited back to perform the role again for six months in 1982.<ref name="Collins-1982" />

In 1997, Welch starred on Broadway in ''[[Victor/Victoria (musical)|Victor/Victoria]]'', following [[Julie Andrews]] and [[Liza Minnelli]] in the title role. Theatre critic Jamie Portman wrote that her glamor made Welch "scarcely believable as the vulnerable Victoria and totally unbelievable as the swaggering tuxedoed Victor", but that she at least "earns high marks for valor" for attempting to breathe life into "the misbegotten musical version of ''Victor/Victoria''".<ref>{{Cite news |last = Portman |first = Jamie |date = July 19, 1997 |title = Stage Stinker – Raquel deserves a medal for valor in musical |work = Calgary Herald |url = https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118736701/stage-stinker-raquel-deserves-a-medal/ |access-date = February 16, 2023 |via = [[Newspapers.com]] |archive-date = February 16, 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230216100003/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118736701/stage-stinker-raquel-deserves-a-medal/ |url-status = live }}</ref>