Margarita Carmen Cansino , usually called Rita Hayworth ( October 17 , 1918 â `` May 14 , 1987 ) , was an American actress of Spanish and Irish origin who became famous as the greatest sex symbol of the 1940s . Rita Hayworth ( October 17 , 1918 â `` May 14 , 1987 ) was an American film actress and dancer who attained fame during the 1940s as one of the era 's top stars .