Emerson Irving Romero, also known by his screen name Tommy Albert, was a pioneering Cuban-American silent film actor.
Romero is widely recognized for his contributions to silent cinema and for developing the first captioning technique for sound films, enhancing accessibility for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
Highlights
- Romero met his wife, Emma Connie Corneliussen, in the Theatre Guild of the Deaf.
- Emerson and Connie prioritized family despite their busy careers. They cherished time with their two children, Rod and Dorene.
- Rod earned a master’s degree from MIT and pursued a successful career in real estate, while Dorene studied at the Sorbonne and later worked as a secretary in Rod’s office.
As proof of his cultural significance, this year’s Google Doodle, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, pays tribute to Emerson Irving Romero.
Moreover, though his professional achievements are remarkable, his life off-screen, especially his family with his wife Emma Garcia and kids, holds an equally inspiring story.
Emerson and His Wife Connie Romero’s Inspiring Journey Together!
Emerson met his wife, Emma Connie Corneliussen, in an amateur theater group called the Theatre Guild of the Deaf in New York City.
Their love story began in 1936 when they fell in love and decided to get married secretly.
Edgar Bloom, who later became the president of the New Jersey Association of the Deaf, was their best man at the wedding.
🎬Discover the incredible story of Emerson Romero, the trailblazing silent film pioneer who broke barriers for deaf actors in Hollywood! 🙌👂 Check out his legacy & how he changed the game for inclusivity in film 🎥 Watch here: https://t.co/xc4gqStJ5b #GoogleDoodle #EmersonRomero
— FresBerg Cartoon (@FresBergCartoon) September 19, 2024
The couple initially settled in Queens, living in the Woodside and Woodhaven neighborhoods.
Later, after Emerson secured a job at Republic Aviation in Farmingdale, New York, they purchased a bungalow at 29 Cedar Avenue, where they lived for about 31 years.
Emerson and Connie Romero’s Treasured Life with Their Kids, Rod and Dorene!
Despite the challenges of balancing careers and activism, Emerson and Connie always prioritized their family.
They cherished the moments they spent with their two children, Rod and Dorene, who were hearing.
Like their parents, Rod and Dorene excelled academically and achieved great things in their respective fields.
Rod earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
He later married, moved into real estate, and established a successful career in Boulder, Colorado.
The Emerson Romero Doodle appears to be back after it got canceled last Sunday. pic.twitter.com/FI5aJKPeBe
— Doodles Wiki (@DoodlesWiki) September 19, 2024
Their daughter Dorene pursued her studies at the Sorbonne in Paris, embracing the arts and culture.
After teaching in New York City, she worked as a secretary in Rod’s office.
As their children grew older and established their own lives, Emerson and Connie found more time to enjoy each other’s company.
In 1972, as Emerson approached retirement, the Romeros decided to relocate significantly.
They planned to move to a new ranch home in Boulder, Colorado, where they could enjoy picturesque mountain views and spend their days playing bridge and caring for their dog, Brown Nose.
This move would also bring them closer to their children, allowing for more family time in their new surroundings.
Additional information
- Emerson Romero went on to work as a teacher of handicrafts and gymnastics at the New York School for the Deaf.
- Emerson’s wife, Connie, was not only a supportive partner but also a writer.
- She served as the editor of the Digest of the Deaf for two years and contributed gossip columns to the Republic in-plant newspaper and the Farmingdale Post.
