Mexico native Ramon Novarro (born Jose Ramon Gil Samaniego, February 6, 1899 – October 30, 1968) was a Hollywood film and television actor. He was a major star and matinee idol of 1920s Silent through early 1930s "talkies" cinema. Mexico native Ramon Novarro (born Jose Ramon Gil Samaniego, February 6, 1899 – October 30, 1968) was a Hollywood film and television actor. He was a major star and matinee idol of 1920s Silent through early 1930s "talkies" cinema.