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Bela Lugosi
1882-1956
Bela Lugosi is known and loved for his portrayal of Dracula. His stage names include Olt Arisztid and Arisztid Olt, though he was born in October of 1882, in what was then Hungry, as Be'la Ferenc Dezso Blasko. He started performing in movies in 1917. He immigrated to The United States in the early 1920s, where his real fame began. He became a U.S. citizen during the depths of the depression in 1931.
His life, though, was far from perfect. It included four marriages, three of which failed, bouts of poverty (or at least financial difficulties), and a drug addiction severe enough to require hospitalization. His film work toward the end of his life was of dubious quality, including Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959), which was directed by Ed Wood and is often hailed as the worst motion picture ever made.
His death in August of 1956 was attributed to a heart attack, but morphine addiction most likely played an important part in his demise. He was buried in vampire costume at his request.
He is remembered today not for his later works, but for his portrayal of Dracula. He has been immortalized in many ways, including the Bauhaus song "Bela Lugosi's Dead" (note that this is often misspelled as Lagosi instead of Lugosi).
Please visit our Links:
Bela Lugosi in Europe
A brief review of Bela's life as a youth and young man before he came to America.
Bela Lugosi in The United States
A short summary of Lugosi's life in the States, both sordid and spectacular.
Bela Lugosi Filmography
A LONG list of films in which Bela Lugosi has appeared.
Bela Lugosi Links
Links to some other sites that have good Bela content
And please make sure to visit our sponsor: The Vampire's Daughter
Bela Lugosi
1882-1956
Bela Lugosi is known and loved for his portrayal of Dracula. His stage names include Olt Arisztid and Arisztid Olt, though he was born in October of 1882, in what was then Hungry, as Be'la Ferenc Dezso Blasko. He started performing in movies in 1917. He immigrated to The United States in the early 1920s, where his real fame began. He became a U.S. citizen during the depths of the depression in 1931.
His life, though, was far from perfect. It included four marriages, three of which failed, bouts of poverty (or at least financial difficulties), and a drug addiction severe enough to require hospitalization. His film work toward the end of his life was of dubious quality, including Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959), which was directed by Ed Wood and is often hailed as the worst motion picture ever made.
His death in August of 1956 was attributed to a heart attack, but morphine addiction most likely played an important part in his demise. He was buried in vampire costume at his request.
He is remembered today not for his later works, but for his portrayal of Dracula. He has been immortalized in many ways, including the Bauhaus song "Bela Lugosi's Dead" (note that this is often misspelled as Lagosi instead of Lugosi).
Please visit our Links:
Bela Lugosi in Europe
A brief review of Bela's life as a youth and young man before he came to America.
Bela Lugosi in The United States
A short summary of Lugosi's life in the States, both sordid and spectacular.
Bela Lugosi Filmography
A LONG list of films in which Bela Lugosi has appeared.
Bela Lugosi Links
Links to some other sites that have good Bela content
And please make sure to visit our sponsor: The Vampire's Daughter
