Bela Lugosi

Béla Lugosi was the stage name of actor Béla Ferenc Dezs? Blaskó (October 20, 1882–August 16, 1956). He was born in Lugos, Transylvania, Austria-Hungary (now Lugoj, Romania), the youngest of four children of a banker. He is best known for his portrayal of Dracula in the American stage production, and subsequent film, of Bram Stoker's classic vampire story.

Typecasting

Through his association with Dracula (in which he appeared with minimal makeup, using his natural, heavily-accented voice), Lugosi found himself typecast as a horror villain in such movies as Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Raven and Son of Frankenstein for Universal, and the independent White Zombie.

Related Topics:
Horror - Murders in the Rue Morgue - The Raven - Son of Frankenstein - White Zombie

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Lugosi declined an offer to appear as The Monster in Frankenstein because the role did not involve dialogue. The role was taken by the man who became Lugosi's principal rival in horror films, Boris Karloff. Several films at Universal, such as The Black Cat, The Raven and Son of Frankenstein paired Lugosi with Karloff. Regardless of the relative size of their roles, Lugosi inevitably got second billing, below Karloff. Lugosi's attitude towards Karloff is the subject of contradictory reports, some claiming that he was openly resentful of Karloff's long-term success and ability to get good roles beyond the horror arena, while others suggested the two actors were - for a time at least - good friends.

Related Topics:
Frankenstein - Boris Karloff

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Attempts were made to give Lugosi more heroic roles, as in The Black Cat, The Invisible Ray and a small role in the comedy classic Ninotchka opposite Greta Garbo, but did not help him break out of the "type" into which he had been placed.

Related Topics:
The Black Cat - The Invisible Ray - Ninotchka - Greta Garbo

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