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Welch rocketed to international sex symbol status when posters for her minor role in "One Million Years B.C." were released in 1966
Raquel Welch has died at age 82.
Family members of the icon told TMZ she died on Wednesday morning following a brief illness.
Welch rocketed to international stardom as a sex symbol in 1966 when posters for her minor role in "One Million Years B.C." were released and swiftly became bestselling memorabilia.
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View StoryShe had starring roles in films such as "Bedazzled" (1967) and "Bandolero!" (1968) and went on to win a Golden Globe for 1974's "The Three Musketeers."
Some credit Welch with helping create the modern action-heroine, with Quentin Tarantino citing her film "Hannie Caulder" (1971) with being an inspiration for his Kill Bill films.
Welch was married four times throughout her life, she is survived by two children, Tahnee and Damon Welch.
Hollywood mourned after news broke of the icon's passing.
Reese Witherspoon tweeted how much she enjoyed working with Welch on "Legally Blonde", while Melissa Joan Hart reminisced about her time on set with the star shooting "Sabrina The Teenage Witch."
Read on to see more tributes:
So sad to hear about Raquel Welch's passing. I loved working with her on Legally Blonde. She was elegant , professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home. 🕊️ Sending love to her family and her many fans ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FBtXhpvS25
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) February 15, 2023 @ReeseW
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This is so sad. I had the great pleasure of working with Ms. Welch when I was a regular on Sabrina the Teenage Witch and she was awesome. Kind, funny and a true superstar whom I was pretty much in love with for most of my childhood. We’ve lost a true icon. https://t.co/7RWiSn9e4P
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) February 15, 2023 @paulfeig
Raquel Welch was one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever worked with. Performing a duet with her on The Muppet Show helped moi become the W-O-M-A-N I am today! We’ll never forget vous, Raquel! pic.twitter.com/fo0saG7EiD
— Miss Piggy (@MissPiggy) February 15, 2023 @MissPiggy
Rest in Peace to Raquel Welch, a pop culture icon who also helped Andy Dufresne escape from Shawshank State Prison. #KansasCityBomber #FantasticVoyage #Seinfeld #OneMillionYearsBC pic.twitter.com/a4MdK3JTBH
— Richard Roeper (@RichardERoeper) February 15, 2023 @RichardERoeper
Raquel Welch dying is a very weird feeling
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) February 15, 2023 @Chris_Meloni
We’ll never forget our remarkable friend Raquel Welch, one of our favorite guests on The Muppet Show. From dancing with a giant spider, to inspiring @FozzieBear, and duetting with @MissPiggy, Raquel could do it all! pic.twitter.com/1Rzk9PbTwr
— The Muppets (@TheMuppets) February 15, 2023 @TheMuppets
Raquel Welch has departed. An iconic beauty and actor. RIP pic.twitter.com/sYxmLYrvYX
— TitusWelliver (@welliver_titus) February 15, 2023 @welliver_titus
We are saddened to hear about the passing of legendary actress Raquel Welch, who starred as Loana in Ray Harryhausen's 1966 classic 'One Million Years B.C'. An iconic role which spawned one of the most famous movie posters ever. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/vQW5tj52mk
— Ray Harryhausen (@Ray_Harryhausen) February 15, 2023 @Ray_Harryhausen
How can she be gone? RIP Raquel Welch. So sad. https://t.co/7aTaKvQKOb
— Miss Julie Brown (@missjuliebrown) February 15, 2023 @missjuliebrown
So sad to hear of the passing of Raquel Welch. Such a talented and stunningly beautiful woman! R.I.P. Raquel Welch. https://t.co/rckNgJFcVr
— Robert Patrick 🇺🇸 (@robertpatrickT2) February 15, 2023 @robertpatrickT2
A unique beauty who left her one of a kind groovy vibe wherever she went #raquelwelch https://t.co/kwfPboN1GJ
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) February 15, 2023 @SandraBernhard
Raquel Welch, actor and international icon who fought to be taken seriously, passes at 82 - Los Angeles Times#ripRaquelWelch
— Frances Fisher (@Frances_Fisher) February 15, 2023 @Frances_Fisher
Sweet, funny & kind 💖 https://t.co/AajUoOeo70
When you grow up in the 60s with two brothers who are 13 and 14 years older than you , you really learn how hot a commodity Raquel Welch was. What a beauty #RIP
— Jackie Hoffman (@JackieHoffman16) February 15, 2023 @JackieHoffman16
Raquel Welch passed away. May her memory be a blessing to friends and family, movies like Hannie Caulder, or Mother, Jugs and Speed, Myra Breckenridge, Fuzz, Fantastic Voyage, the Musketeer movies, all were faves… the world is worse off without her in it
— Andrew Zimmern (@andrewzimmern) February 15, 2023 @andrewzimmern
RIP beautiful lady. https://t.co/GKOdigS6M5
— Jane Badler (@janebadler) February 15, 2023 @janebadler
She said her career was her "ticket to ride", and what a career it was. Actress/mom/businesswoman/sex symbol /trailblazer #RaquelWelch gone at age 82. #icon pic.twitter.com/zMyzTVgU08
— Leeza Gibbons (@LeezaGibbons) February 15, 2023 @LeezaGibbons
