San Juan died late Saturday at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in
San Juan was born March 16, 1927, and raised in
She started dancing at age 5 or 6, Adelman said, and performed as a girl with mambo percussionist
"Those were the days where the studios were very active in building images. She was very tiny, but very spunky and lively. So the name 'Puerto Rican Pepperpot' fit," Adelman said.
San Juan appeared opposite Astaire and danced with him in the 1946 musical "Blue Skies" and also sang with Crosby in the film, according to a news release.
She also appeared in such '40s films as "Duffy's Tavern," "Variety Girl" and "One Touch of Venus."
In 1951, she starred in the Broadway production of Lerner and Loewe's "Paint Your Wagon."
San Juan was married for many years to actor
San Juan retired in the 1950s to raise her children. The couple divorced in 1976. O'Brien died in 1985.
San Juan is survived by her children, Bridget O'Brien Adelman, a television producer, and actors Maria O'Brien and Brendan O'Brien, as well as her sister Aura Grady and three grandchildren.
A funeral is scheduled for 9 a.m. today at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery in Mission Hills.
news.obits@latimes.com
