Personal Info
Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
January 9, 1901
Place of Birth:
Nagydorog, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary]
Social Media
Vilma Banky
Biography
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.
Known For
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | The Legend of Rudolph Valentino | Self (archive footage) |
| 1950 | The Golden Twenties | Self (archive footage) |
| 1930 | A Lady to Love | Lena Shultz |
| 1930 | Every Woman's Longing | Mizzi |
| 1929 | This Is Heaven | Eva Petrie |
| 1928 | Two Lovers | Donna Leonora de Vargas |
| 1928 | The Awakening | Marie Ducrot |
| 1928 | The Circus: Premiere | Self |
| 1927 | The Magic Flame | Bianca, the Aerial Artist |
| 1927 | The Night of Love | Princess Marie |
| 1926 | The Son of the Sheik | Yasmin, André's Daughter |
| 1926 | The Winning of Barbara Worth | Barbara Worth |
| 1925 | The Eagle | Mascha Troekouroff |
| 1925 | The Dark Angel | Kitty Vane |
| 1924 | King of the Circus | |
| 1923 | The Portrait | |
| 1922 | Galathea |
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | The Beverly Hillbillies | Actress in Silent Film (archive footage) |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Show | Self |