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Bela Lugosi in The United States
After moving to avoid prosecution based on his political preferences and his first divorce, Bela Lugosi moved to The United States in the early 1920s. He quickly married and divorced his second wife, a young actress and landed his first American film, The Silent Command. He appeared in several more films before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1931.
His big break, however, came in 1929 when he played Count Dracula in a play that appeared on Broadway. He also appeared in the play as it toured the West Coast. This play was picked up by Universal Studios and was to be made into a movie.
According to some, Bela Lugosi was not in contention for the role of Dracula, that had been awarded to Lon Chaney, Sr. Unfortunately, Chaney passed away and a replacement was needed. Others suggest that Bela was always intended to have this role, especially after his successful portrayal of Dracula in the play. Regardless of the background, Bela got the part and went down in history as one of the greatest vampires of all times.
After his portrayal of Dracula, Bela’s film choices were hit or miss. Mainly B-movies, but there were some major hits, too. Some of the more notable films during this time were White Zombie, The Black Cat, Mark of the Vampire, and The Raven. He also achieved success with such films as Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein.
It was around this time that Bela’s fourth marriage took place. This was his most successful attempt at matrimony, lasting some 20 years and resulting in a son, Bela Lugosi Jr.
Ultimately, work was hard to get in the 30s and 40s for Bela and what work he got paid very little. These financial difficulties were one issue that let to his separation and eventual divorce from his fourth wife in 1951.
The 50s were not a good time for Bela. He began to work with Ed Wood, perhaps one of the oddest, if not worst, writer-directors of all times. Bela appeared in films such as Bride of the Monster, Glen or Glenda?, and the reviled Plan 9 from Outer Space. Much of the footage of the last film was culled from other Ed Wood movies as Bela died prior to the films completion.
About a year and half before his death, Bela Lugosi admitted himself to the Los Angeles County General Hospital. He was addicted to morphine, which he claimed to have used to deal with pain in his legs. He was released from the hospital, married his fifth wife (a fan), and almost exactly one-year later died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 73 on August 16, 1956.
Please make sure to visit our sponsor: The Vampire's Daughter
Bela Lugosi in The United States
After moving to avoid prosecution based on his political preferences and his first divorce, Bela Lugosi moved to The United States in the early 1920s. He quickly married and divorced his second wife, a young actress and landed his first American film, The Silent Command. He appeared in several more films before becoming a U.S. citizen in 1931.
His big break, however, came in 1929 when he played Count Dracula in a play that appeared on Broadway. He also appeared in the play as it toured the West Coast. This play was picked up by Universal Studios and was to be made into a movie.
According to some, Bela Lugosi was not in contention for the role of Dracula, that had been awarded to Lon Chaney, Sr. Unfortunately, Chaney passed away and a replacement was needed. Others suggest that Bela was always intended to have this role, especially after his successful portrayal of Dracula in the play. Regardless of the background, Bela got the part and went down in history as one of the greatest vampires of all times.
After his portrayal of Dracula, Bela’s film choices were hit or miss. Mainly B-movies, but there were some major hits, too. Some of the more notable films during this time were White Zombie, The Black Cat, Mark of the Vampire, and The Raven. He also achieved success with such films as Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein.
It was around this time that Bela’s fourth marriage took place. This was his most successful attempt at matrimony, lasting some 20 years and resulting in a son, Bela Lugosi Jr.
Ultimately, work was hard to get in the 30s and 40s for Bela and what work he got paid very little. These financial difficulties were one issue that let to his separation and eventual divorce from his fourth wife in 1951.
The 50s were not a good time for Bela. He began to work with Ed Wood, perhaps one of the oddest, if not worst, writer-directors of all times. Bela appeared in films such as Bride of the Monster, Glen or Glenda?, and the reviled Plan 9 from Outer Space. Much of the footage of the last film was culled from other Ed Wood movies as Bela died prior to the films completion.
About a year and half before his death, Bela Lugosi admitted himself to the Los Angeles County General Hospital. He was addicted to morphine, which he claimed to have used to deal with pain in his legs. He was released from the hospital, married his fifth wife (a fan), and almost exactly one-year later died of an apparent heart attack at the age of 73 on August 16, 1956.
Please make sure to visit our sponsor: The Vampire's Daughter
