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Latino actor-singer Maurice Jara, also known as Mauricio, was born in Los Angeles, California. During World War II, he served in the United States Marines and was stationed in Okinawa, where he sustained serious injuries. After returning home, he joined the Padua Hills Theatre Players in Claremont, California. While performing in Serenata Tapatia, he met Hilda Ramirez, whom he married in 1947. Jara appeared in several Padua Hills Players productions, including Vote Por la Reina and Festivales. It was during Festivales that a talent scout discovered him and offered him screen and vocal recording tests.
In late 1949, director Joseph Losey viewed Jara's screen test and was impressed by his natural talent, striking looks, and articulate voice. Jara was then called to audition for a supporting role in Losey's Paramount Studios film The Lawless (1950), which depicted the lives of Latino immigrants working as fruit pickers along the Mexican border. Under Losey's mentorship, arrangements were made for Jara to launch his film career. The Lawless was a success, addressing controversial themes typical of Losey’s work and spotlighting Jara’s performance.
Following this, Jara starred in two more films and took an uncredited role in the major Cary Grant film Crisis, which featured many prominent Latino actors of the era. These three films were all released in 1950. In early 1951, he appeared uncredited as an indigenous character in the Western Apache Drums. As a Mexican American, he was frequently cast in similar roles and genres, a trend that persisted throughout his career. Minority actors faced limited opportunities in Hollywood at the time, yet Jara managed to build a successful career despite these challenges.
In August 1951, Jara appeared in Flying Leathernecks as Shorty Vega, sharing a scene with star John Wayne. The following years brought mixed results, with a combination of uncredited film roles, featured television parts, and occasional unexpected acting opportunities. In 1952, Jara made a pivotal career decision by auditioning for the role of Alessandro in the live stage production of Ramona, based on Helen Hunt Jackson’s novel. This play had been performed in Hemet, California since 1923. Jara portrayed Alessandro for fifteen years, a role that became a hallmark of his career.
Despite the significance of Ramona, most of Jara's subsequent film and TV roles continued to center on Latino or indigenous characters, with a few exceptions such as Take the High Ground, Fighter Attack, two episodes of Fireside Theatre, and appearances in the crime series Boston Blackie. Superman fans may remember him as Red Hawk in the 1955 Adventures of Superman. In 1956, Jara delivered his most memorable film role as the calm and composed Dr. Guerra in Giant. Reflecting on those times, he recalled, "I used to go out rabbit hunting with James Dean; he was a nice kid."
That year also marked Jara’s role as the host of his own Latino variety show, Fandango, broadcast on Los Angeles television. His acting work continued robustly with films such as Walk the Proud Land (1956), The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1958), They Came to Cordura (1959), and TV appearances on Rawhide and three episodes of Death Valley Days. In 1959, while still playing Alessandro, his co-star Ramona was a young Raquel Tejada, who later became famous as Raquel Welch.
During this period, Jara remained active in Western television series, appearing on Lawman, Overland Trail, Bronco, Bonanza, and portraying Dr. Kahil Sahilar on Ben Casey. He briefly ventured into the restaurant business, owning a Mexican restaurant in Pomona, California. In 1966, he took on the role of director for the Ramona Pageant, with his wife Hilda serving as assistant director. Ten years after Welch, Jara directed Anne Archer in the role of Ramona.
The 1970s continued to be productive, with appearances on Marcus Welby, M.D., Bearcats, and Hec Ramsey in 1972. Maurice and Hilda Jara co-directed the Ramona Pageant until his retirement in 1994. Known for neglecting his own well-being, Maurice Jara was honored as part of Ramona’s history in the local museum on July 23, 1995.
