Actress Raquel Welch Dead at 82

Welch skyrocketed in popularity following her role in 1966's 'One Million Years B.C.'

Raquel Welch, to many a certified sex symbol, has passed away. She was 82.

Family members confirmed to TMZ that the actress died earlier today, Feb. 15, following a brief illness that is, as of now, unconfirmed or, at least, unannounced.

The actress quickly rose to fame following her roles in Fantastic Voyage and One Million Years B.C. in 1966. The latter found her with few lines and even fewer clothes, with her skimpy deerskin bikini triggering her brand-new status.

She went on to star in other hits, such as The Three Musketeers (1974), which earned her a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy. She also earned a nomination for the TV movie Right to Die (1987). She even sang with Cher on an episode of The Cher Show in 1975.

Another iconic role includes Mrs. Windham Vandermark in Legally Blonde. Her final project was the TV series Date My Dad in 2017, in which she played Rosa.

Welch was married four times throughout her life, first to James Welch from 1959-1964. She married Patrick Curtis three years later, separating in 1972. The actress was married to Andre Weinfeld for a decade, starting in 1980, and married Richard Palmer in 1999, divorcing in 2004. She is survived by her two children, Tahnee and Damon Welch.

Celebrity photographer Jeff Kravitz took to Twitter to mourn the actress, who he calls his first crush. "Goodbye to my first crush Raquel Welch. She lit up the screen and my frontal lobes with her sultry look and unstoppable curves," he wrote in part. "I only shot her a handful of times. RIP Screen Siren"

Scott Couch, a news anchor from Nashville, shared the news of her passing on Twitter, adding, "I always thought she was beautiful and appreciated her work with the USO."

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