After a while he arrived in Paris and decided to settle permanently in the United States, in New York City, where he began performing various trades. He was a gardener, waiter, dancer and even a gigolo.
Later, he ventures into the art world, playing some Latin-looking villain roles. His first leading role would later be obtained in a film that was based on one of the works of Vicente Blasco Ibáñez titled The four horsemen of the apocalypse shot in 1921. In this film he also demonstrated having talent as a tango dancer.
This film production brought much success to the actor, who in addition to offering his talent and his attractive physical figure, made him a star. He was adored and followed by many women, known and anonymous, and there were many actresses of the time who were dying to share credits with the actor.
Valentino was married to the actress Jean acker, they had no children and had another leading role in the film Camille, his co-star was Alla nazimova, who introduced him to the artistic and costume director named Natacha Rambova, a woman who immediately fell in love with him and who had a great influence on Rodolfo’s life and work.
Valentino was still married but began an affair with Natacha by escaping to Mexico, where they got married. This fact accused him of being a bigamist and he was taken to court to fix his situation.
His new wife, was an extremely ambitious, manipulative and also bisexual woman, Valentino continued to maintain secret romances with many women, highlighting Marion davis Y Paola Negri.
His work was also in its prime and appears in other films such as The Kaid from 1921, Blood and Sand that shot a year later, Monsieur Bocaire from 1924, The black eagle from 1925, and his last performance was in the film The son of the Kaid of 1926, which also gave him a huge commercial triumph.
Apart from his enormous physical attractiveness, his sensuality and his talent, Valentino was very fond of the occult arts and spiritualism. He was very fond of luxury and was accused by several critics of having homosexual behavior, which he always denied.
It is said that he came to challenge a chronicler who called him effeminate, in a duel to a public boxing match to prove his manhood, which the critic rejected.
Victim of peritonitis, the young man who was only 31 years old passed away on August 23, 1926 in New York City.
His death brought with it a worldwide duel, becoming the cause of many suicides in various parts of the globe.
To this day, he is still called “The Great Lover” and his cult figure that he acquired in life still remains.