History Creator / BelaLugosi

** Lugosi himself was turned into a sex symbol overnight because of Dracula.

* ''Film/TheThirteenthChair'' (1930)

* PlayingAgainstType: He portrayed the protagonists in ''The Thirteenth Chair'' (as a dogged police inspector), ''The Return of Chandu'' (as the titular crime-fighting sorcerer) and ''Film/TheBlackCat'' (as a shell shocked psychiatrist). He had comedy roles in ''Broadminded'' and ''International House'', and played [[RedHerring red herring characters]] in murder mysteries like ''TheBlackCamel'', ''The Death Kiss'', and ''Murder by Television''. (The latter notably sees him playing both a murder victim and his identical twin brother, an undercover cop who at the end, unveils the killer in true Creator/AgathaChristie style.)

* ProductionPosse: Tod Browning, Edward Van Sloan, Creator/BorisKarloff, Creator/BasilRathbone, Creator/LionelAtwill and Creator/LonChaneyJr.

* SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct: Anyone in doubt of Lugosi's genuine talent should watch ''Film/TheBlackCat''.

* HeReallyCanAct: Anyone in doubt of Lugosi's genuine talent should watch ''Film/TheBlackCat''.

After some minor film roles through the '20s (already typecast as villains) and a successful stage career (where he often played romantic and heroic characters), Lugosi achieved his StarMakingRole as Count Dracula in Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston's stage adaptation of ''Dracula''. Lugosi first took on the role in 1927, playing the Count in 261 performances on Broadway before touring the country. After the tour concluded he relocated to Los Angeles and began focusing on movie roles. Ironically, he had to lobby to play ''Dracula'' on film, as Creator/{{Universal}} initially wanted an established star for the role.[[note]][[Creator/LonChaney Lon Chaney Sr.]] was Universal's first choice, but he died before production began.[[/note]]

Although Lugosi appeared in several successful films for Universal after ''Dracula'', he failed to break through his typecasting and remained overwhelmingly cast in horror and science fiction movies, often of negligible quality. During this time, he worked on several occasions with--and was overshadowed by--Creator/BorisKarloff. He managed to make a sort of comeback in death, however, when Creator/MartinLandau won an Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of Lugosi in Creator/TimBurton's 1994 film ''Film/EdWood''.

Some of the other famous--or infamous--films in which Lugosi appeared include ''Film/WhiteZombie'', ''Film/MurdersInTheRueMorgue'', ''[[Film/TheWolfMan1941 The Wolf Man]]'', ''Film/SonOfFrankenstein'' (as Ygor, generally regarded as one of his best performances), ''Film/AbbottAndCostelloMeetFrankenstein'' (in which he reprised the Dracula role), ''Film/GlenOrGlenda'', and ''Film/Plan9FromOuterSpace''. He also had a supporting role in the classic Creator/GretaGarbo comedy ''Film/{{Ninotchka}}'', although he's still scary (he's a commissar). Many ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' fans will also remember him from the serial ''The Phantom Creeps'' ([[MemeticMutation "Zees vill zimplify everytink!"]]), as well as the movie ''Film/BrideOfTheMonster'' ([[MemeticMutation "He tampered in God's domain"]]).

Some of the other famous--or infamous--films in which Lugosi appeared include ''Film/WhiteZombie'', ''Film/MurdersInTheRueMorgue'', ''[[Film/TheWolfMan1941 The Wolf Man]]'', ''Film/SonOfFrankenstein'' (as Ygor, generally regarded as one of his best performances), ''Film/GlenOrGlenda'' and ''Film/Plan9FromOuterSpace''. He also had a supporting role in the classic Creator/GretaGarbo comedy ''Film/{{Ninotchka}}'', although he's still scary (he's a commissar). Many ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' fans will also remember him from the serial ''The Phantom Creeps'' ([[MemeticMutation "Zees vill zimplify everytink!"]]), as well as the movie ''Film/BrideOfTheMonster'' ([[MemeticMutation "He tampered in God's domain"]]).

Other notable or infamous movies in which he appeared: ''Film/WhiteZombie'', ''Film/MurdersInTheRueMorgue'', ''[[Film/TheWolfMan1941 The Wolf Man]]'', ''Film/SonOfFrankenstein'' (as Ygor, generally regarded as one of his best performances), ''Film/GlenOrGlenda'' and ''Film/Plan9FromOuterSpace''. He also had a supporting role in the classic Creator/GretaGarbo comedy ''Film/{{Ninotchka}}'', although he's still scary (he's a commissar). Many ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'' fans will also remember him from the serial ''The Phantom Creeps'' ([[MemeticMutation "Zees vill zimplify everytink!"]]), as well as the movie ''Film/BrideOfTheMonster'' ([[MemeticMutation "He tampered in God's domain"]]).

After some minor film roles through the '20s (already typecast as villains) and a successful stage career (where he often played romantic and heroic characters), Lugosi achieved his StarMakingRole as Count Dracula in Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston's stage adaptation of ''Dracula''. Lugosi first took on the role in 1927, playing the Count in 261 performances on Broadway before touring the country. After the tour concluded he relocated to Los Angeles and began focusing on movie roles. Ironically, he had to lobby to play ''Dracula'' on film as Creator/{{Universal}} initially wanted an established star for the role.[[note]][[Creator/LonChaney Lon Chaney, Sr.]] was Universal's first choice, but he died before production began[[/note]]

Although Lugosi appeared in several successful films for Universal after ''Dracula'', he failed to break through his typecasting and remained overwhelmingly cast in horror and science fiction movies, often of negligible quality. During this time, he worked on several occasions with and was overshadowed by Creator/BorisKarloff. He managed to make a sort of comeback in death, however, when Creator/MartinLandau won an Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of Lugosi in Creator/TimBurton's 1994 film ''Film/EdWood''.

Also rather well known for being [[Music/{{Bauhaus}} dead]]. It wasn't his idea, but he was buried in Dracula costume. A persistent urban myth holds that Creator/PeterLorre joked at Lugosi's funeral that they should "drive a stake through his heart, just in case". (In fact, Lorre wasn't even at Lugosi's funeral).

Also rather well known for being [[Music/{{Bauhaus}} dead]]. It wasn't his idea, but he was buried in Dracula costume. A persistent urban myth holds that Creator/PeterLorre joked at Lugosi's funeral that they should drive a stake through his heart just in case. In fact, Peter Lorre wasn't even at Lugosi's funeral.

* AllInTheEyes: Multiple movies would make good use out of an illuminated close-up of Lugosi's. Dracula aside, both ''White Zombie'' and its sequel (which Béla wasn't actually in, funny enough) used this effect.

Bela Lugosi (born Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956) was a Hungarian-born stage and screen actor mostly known for his work in horror movies, in particular his performance of the title role in the [[Film/{{Dracula 1931}} 1931 version]] of ''Literature/{{Dracula}}''. Following this film's success, he suffered severely from type-casting and the limitations of his heavy native accent, and spent the vast bulk of his career eking out a living in various low-budget productions, culminating (if that is the word) in his work with director Creator/EdWood.

* TheFunInFuneral: He was buried in his Dracula cape, and his old friend Creator/PeterLorre joked that they should stake him just to be sure.

Although Lugosi appeared in several successful films for Universal after ''Dracula'', he failed to break through his typecasting and remained overwhelmingly cast in horror and science fiction movies, often of negligible quality. During this time, he worked on several occasions with/was overshadowed by Creator/BorisKarloff. He managed to make a sort of comeback in death, however, when Creator/MartinLandau won an Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of Lugosi in Creator/TimBurton's 1994 film ''Film/EdWood''.

* ClassicalMovieVampire: His role is the TropeMaker. Most Dracula parodies follow this trope because of how renowned Legosi's performance was.

* DramaticPause: Somewhat justified in the fact that English is ''quite'' different from Hungarian (so different that the heavy accent it leaves when transitioning to English probably made his English sound worse than it actually did to most people. He was actually a very good speaker!) In fact, in 1934's ''Film/TheBlackCat'', he has a small bit of dialogue in Hungarian, and naturally, the delivery of it flows like melted butter.

* FakeShemp: In ''Film/Plan9FromOuterSpace''.

* LargeHam: He could play the part subtle at moments, but he loved to just flourish with the role.

* TheRival: With Creator/BorisKarloff, to an extent. Lugosi resented that Karloff always received top billing when they costarred together, and they often competed for roles when they weren't collaborating. Lugosi often half-jokingly took credit for Karloff's stardom since he had turned down the role in ''Film/Frankenstein1931'' before Karloff was cast. Most film historians tend to discount stories that they had a full-on feud, however; Karloff said that after some initial tension, they became friends and enjoyed working together. Lugosi's children seem to confirm this, indicating that while the two weren't particularly close, Lugosi generally held Karloff in high esteem despite his occasional jealousy about his greater success.

* VampireVords: This is a trope he actually averted. He had no problems pronouncing his W's.

[[quoteright:237:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/belalugosi02_978.png]]

Bela Lugosi (October 20, 1882 -- August 16, 1956; born ''Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó'') was a Hungarian-born stage and screen actor mostly known for his work in horror movies, in particular the title role in the [[Film/{{Dracula 1931}} 1931 version]] of ''Literature/{{Dracula}}''. Following this film's success, he suffered severely from type-casting and the limitations of his heavy native accent, and spent the vast bulk of his career eking out a living in various low-budget productions, culminating (if that is the word) in his work with director Creator/EdWood.

Lugosi was born Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó in Lugos, Hungary (hence his stage name). He began acting in theater at a young age and served in the Austro-Hungarian Army in UsefulNotes/WorldWarOne, being wounded in action against Russia. Lugosi began his film career while the war was still ongoing, and he became involved in Hungarian politics and trade unions. After Bela Kun's failed communist revolution, Lugosi was marked for arrest due to his political views and fled to Germany. There Lugosi continued his career, including, oddly enough, several successful Westerns. He emigrated to the United States in 1920 and became a citizen in 1931.

After some minor film roles through the '20s (already typecast as villains) and a successful stage career (where he often played romantic and heroic characters), Lugosi achieved his StarMakingRole as Count Dracula in Hamilton Deane and John L. Balderston's stage adaptation of ''Dracula''. Lugosi began the role in 1927, playing the Count in 261 performances on Broadway before touring the country. After the tour concluded he relocated to Los Angeles and began focusing on movies. Ironically, he had to lobby to play ''Dracula'' on film as Universal initially wanted an established star for the role. [[note]][[Creator/LonChaney Lon Chaney, Sr.]] was Universal's first choice, but he died before production began[[/note]]

Lugosi was born Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó in Lugos, Hungary (hence his stage name). He began acting in theater at a young age and served in the Austro-Hungarian Army in UsefulNotes/WorldWarOne, being wounded in action against Russia. Lugosi began his film career while the war was still ongoing, but after Bela Kun's failed Communist revolution, Lugosi (active in trade unions and a supporter of Kun's government) was blacklisted in his home country and fled to Germany, where he continued his career, including, oddly enough, several successful Westerns. He emigrated to the United States in 1920 and became a citizen in 1931.

* TheRival: With Creator/BorisKarloff, to an extent. Lugosi resented that Karloff always received top billing when they costarred together, and they often competed for roles when they weren't collaborating. Most film historians tend to discount stories that they had a full-on feud, however; according to Karloff, he had Lugosi had a friendly working relationship, while Lugosi's children insist that he harbored no personal animosity towards Karloff, even if he was occasionally jealous of Karloff's greater success.