Vilma Banky

Birthday: 1901-01-09
Deathday: 1991-03-18
Birthplace: Nagydorog, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary]
Gender: Female
Owned By: Unowned

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.

Credits

Year Title Character
1930-05-17 Every woman's longing Mizzi
1930-02-28 A Lady to Love Lena Shultz
1929-06-22 This Is Heaven Eva Petrie
1928-11-17 The Awakening Marie Ducrot
1928-03-23 Two Lovers Donna Leonora de Vargas
1927-09-17 The Magic Flame Bianca, the Aerial Artist
1927-01-22 The Night of Love Princess Marie
1926-10-14 The Winning of Barbara Worth Barbara Worth
1926-09-05 The Son of the Sheik Yasmin, André's Daughter
1925-11-08 The Eagle Mascha Troekouroff
1925-09-27 The Dark Angel Kitty Vane
1924-05-23 King of the Circus
1923-10-02 The Portrait
1922-10-22 Galathea