Home > U.S. Immigration and Migration > Bela Lugosi Biography

Born October 20, 1882

Lugos, Hungary

Died August 16, 1956

Los Angeles, California

Movie actor famous for his roles in horror films

"I am Count Dracula!"

Bela (pronounced BAY-la) Lugosi is arguably one of the most famous immigrants in film history. Although his career began on the stage in his native Hungary, he broke into films in the early 1930s in America when he accepted the choice role of Count Dracula for Universal Studios. Lugosi often shared the screen with the highly respected actor Boris Karloff (1887–1969) in his many horror films throughout the 1930s and into the 1940s, but he eventually took roles in lesser-quality movies, a career move that would prove his downfall. Per his will, Lugosi was buried in his Dracula cape.

Lugosi's career takes off

Bela Lugosi was born Béla Ferenc Dezsõ Blaskó on October 20, 1882, the...