Bela Lugosi (Actor) - On This Day
Full Name: Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó
Profession: Actor
Biography: Bela Lugosi was an iconic Hungarian-American actor who gained fame for his portrayal of Count Dracula in the 1931 film Dracula. His distinctive accent and charismatic presence left a permanent mark on the horror genre, solidifying his place in cinematic history.
Lugosi began his acting career in his native Hungary before emigrating to the United States in the 1920s. He first portrayed Count Dracula on Broadway in 1927, a role which eventually led to his casting in the classic Universal Pictures film. His performance in Dracula became so popular that he was typecast as a horror villain, leading to roles in films like The Black Cat (1934) and The Raven (1935), both alongside Boris Karloff.
Despite the popularity of his roles, Lugosi often struggled to find work outside of the horror genre, a fact that, coupled with financial mismanagement, led to a decline in his career. However, he found a late-career resurgence working with director Ed Wood on low-budget films such as Glen or Glenda (1953) and Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959).
In his personal life, Lugosi battled drug addiction, particularly to morphine and methadone, which was exacerbated by his professional struggles.
Born: October 20, 1882
Birthplace: Lugos, Austro-Hungarian Empire
Star Sign: Libra
Died: August 16, 1956 (aged 73)
Cause of Death: Heart attack
Articles and Photos
Acting Career
- 1931-02-14 The original "Dracula" film starring Bela Lugosi as the titular vampire, is released
- 1932-07-28 "White Zombie" - 1st feature length zombie film directed by Victor Halperin and starring Bela Lugosi is released in the US
Personal Life
- 1955-08-25 Hungarian–American "Dracula" actor Bela Lugosi (72) weds fifth and final wife Hope Lininger (36), until his death in 1956
Famous Actors
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