Movies
TV Shows
People

Vilma Banky

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
20

Gender
Female

Birthday
January 9, 1901 (125 years old)

Place of Birth
Nagydorog, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary]

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

Acting

1962The Beverly Hillbilliesas Actress in Silent Film (archive footage)
1961The Legend of Rudolph Valentinoas Self (archive footage)
1950The Golden Twentiesas Self (archive footage)
1948The Ed Sullivan Showas Self
1930Every Woman's Longingas Mizzi
1930A Lady to Loveas Lena Shultz
1929This Is Heavenas Eva Petrie
1928The Awakeningas Marie Ducrot
1928Two Loversas Donna Leonora de Vargas
1928The Circus: Premiereas Self
1927The Magic Flameas Bianca, the Aerial Artist
1927The Night of Loveas Princess Marie
1926The Winning of Barbara Worthas Barbara Worth
1926The Son of the Sheikas Yasmin, André's Daughter
1925The Eagleas Mascha Troekouroff
1925The Dark Angelas Kitty Vane
1924Das schöne Abenteueras Bessy Ferguson
1924King of the Circusas
1923The Portraitas
1922Galatheaas

Production