CineScope
Vilma Banky picture

Vilma Banky

Acting
Known For

90 Years Old

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.

Born

Nagydorog, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary] on 9th January 1901

Died

18th March 1991

All Credits

The Ed Sullivan Show Image
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
The Beverly Hillbillies Image
The Beverly Hillbillies
Actress in Silent Film (archive footage)
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino Image
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage)
The Eagle Image
The Eagle
Mascha Troekouroff
The Winning of Barbara Worth Image
The Winning of Barbara Worth
Barbara Worth
The Son of the Sheik Image
The Son of the Sheik
Yasmin, André's Daughter
Two Lovers Image
Two Lovers
Donna Leonora de Vargas
A Lady to Love Image
A Lady to Love
Lena Shultz
The Golden Twenties Image
The Golden Twenties
Self (archive footage)
The Dark Angel Image
The Dark Angel
Kitty Vane
King of the Circus Image
King of the Circus
The Awakening Image
The Awakening
Marie Ducrot
The Magic Flame Image
The Magic Flame
Bianca, the Aerial Artist
The Circus: Premiere Image
The Circus: Premiere
Self
The Night of Love Image
The Night of Love
Princess Marie
Every Woman's Longing Image
Every Woman's Longing
Mizzi
This Is Heaven Image
This Is Heaven
Eva Petrie
No Image
The Portrait
No Image
Galathea