Emily Cranz

Emily Cranz
Cranz in 1962
Cranz in 1962
Background information
Born
Emma Cranz Amillano
(1940-09-21)September 21, 1940
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
DiedJuly 22, 2025(2025-07-22) (aged 84)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
OccupationsActress, singer, dancer
Years active1962–1970

Emily Cranz (September 21, 1940 – July 22, 2025) was an American-born Mexican actress, singer and dancer.[1]

Early life

Emma Cranz Cantillano was born in Tucson, Arizona,[2] on September 21, 1940,[3] as one of six children (three boys and three girls). Her father, Frank, was German-American, and her mother, Evangelina (née Amillano) (1909-1964), was Mexican.[4][5][6][7]

In 1953, as a ten year-old girl, Cranz participated as a dancer and singer in community events in Tucson, Arizona. In February of that year, at the Mission View PTA meeting, which took place in the school auditorium, Cranz and a schoolmate were featured in a group of Mexican dances.[8] Then, she participated in the September 16 Mexican Independence Day Celebration as a dancer and singer, who serenaded the Lady of Guadalupe. Her mother, Evangelina, was an organizer, and her sister, whose name was also Evangelina, was a dancer, as well. The program was broadcast over station KVOA.[9][10] As a teenager, she sang at benefits and on a local radio station. At the age of 13, she appeared on television, which did not make a big impression, so her parents moved to Los Angeles, California to try to have her break in as a professional singer. Later, she joined the Chuck Rio Quintet in Las Vegas and performed with them for several seasons. She left the group to record with Orfeón in Mexico.[11]

Career

In 1961, Cranz began her career as a Mexican recording artist on the Peerless label, backed up by Los Boppers, singing "Ahora o Nunca" and on the flip-side "Papa Loves Mambo" on a 45 rpm single. Later, she recorded on the Maya, Orfeón, Dimsa, and RCA Victor labels[12] various singles and albums in Spanish, and, most notably, an English album (backed by the Mariachi Guadalajara) called "Speak to Me."

In 1962, she appeared on the Paco Malgesto program every Saturday night on KWEX-TV Ch.41 in San Antonio, Texas.[11]

From 1963 to 1970, Cranz appeared in Mexican movies, television variety shows, and telenovelas (soap operas), where, in addition to acting, she would frequently sing or dance. She considered herself to be a "vedette" (a showgirl), rather than a serious actress.[2]

One of her more popular appearances was in 1966, when she co-starred with Gaspar Henaine as Capulina in La cigüeña distraída (1966), a comedy film directed by Emilio Gómez Muriel.

She also accompanied show troupes and performed in different cities. In 1962, she was a member of a Mexico City troupe—complete with recording artists, dancers, and mariachis—that headlined the annual Fiesta de Mayo celebration in her home town of Tucson.[13]

In 1970, she appeared on U.S. television in the Bob Hope Comedy Special, which was set in Acapulco during the Mexico International Film Festival.

Retirement and death

Cranz died on July 22, 2025, in Houston, Texas at the age of 84.[3][14]

Charitable causes

The Emily Cranz foundation in Houston, Texas honored legendary Mexican comedian Mario Moreno "Cantinflas" with its 1992 Gracias Award for his work on behalf of children. The charity benefit raised money to aid children living in crisis environments.[15]

Selected filmography

Citations

  1. ^"Mexican Film Performers -"C"". Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  2. ^ ab"Emily Cranz: "Quiero ser vedette, no actriz"". La Nación. December 28, 1966. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  3. ^ ab"Emily Cranz". Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  4. ^"Funeral Announcements". Tucson Daily Citizen. June 25, 1964. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
  5. ^"Emily Cranz (Discos Orfeon)". May 18, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
  6. ^"1930 United States Federal Census". MyHeritage.com. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
  7. ^"Evangelina Cranz Arizona Births, 1887 - 1935". MyHeritage.com. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
  8. ^"Mission View PTA To Meet Tomorrow". Tucson Daily Citizen. February 11, 1953. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
  9. ^"Three Day Celebration Will Note Mexican Independence". Tucson Daily Citizen. September 3, 1953. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
  10. ^"Historical Pageant Set". Tucson Daily Citizen. September 11, 1953. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
  11. ^ ab"Emily Crantz Ch. 41 Star". San Antonio Express and News. October 21, 1962. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
  12. ^"Emily Cranz (Disco Orfeón)". Tal cómo lo vivimos. May 18, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2015.
  13. ^"Recording Stars to be at Fiesta". Tucson Daily Citizen. May 2, 1962. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
  14. ^Administrador (July 23, 2025). "Otra vez luto en el Rock mexicano, falleció Emily Cranz". ElCirculoBeatle.com (in Spanish). Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  15. ^"Comedian Honored". The Cedar Rapids Gazette. November 29, 1992. Retrieved April 9, 2015.(registration required)
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