Acting

19

Woman

9 Jan 1901

Nagydorog, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary]

Vilma Banky

From Wikipedia Vilma Bánky (January 9, 1901 – March 18, 1991) was a Hungarian-born American silent film actress, although the early part of her acting career began in Budapest, spreading to France, Austria, and Germany. Banky was best known for her roles in The Eagle and The Son of the Sheik with Rudolph Valentino and several romantic teamings with Ronald Colman. She was hailed as "The Hungarian Rhapsody" and was an immediate hit with American audiences. The New York Times remarked in its review of her first American film, The Dark Angel, that she "is a young person of rare beauty ... so exquisite that one is not in the least surprised that she is never forgotten by Hillary Trent" (the movie's leading male character). It is commonly believed that Banky's thick Hungarian accent cut her career short with the advent of sound. However, she began losing interest in films and wanted to settle down with her husband actor Rod La Rocque. By 1928 she had begun announcing her intention to retire in a few years. She married Rod La Rocque in 1927. The couple had no children and remained together until his death in 1969. Vilma Bánky died on March 18, 1991, aged 90.

The Beverly Hillbillies

26 September 1962

The Eagle

8 November 1925

The Son of the Sheik

5 September 1926

The Winning of Barbara Worth

14 October 1926

The Ed Sullivan Show

20 June 1948

A Lady to Love

28 February 1930

The Circus: Premiere

13 January 1928

King of the Circus

23 May 1924

The Magic Flame

17 September 1927

The Night of Love

22 January 1927