35 Quotes by Bela Lugosi
Bela Lugosi, the iconic actor best known for his portrayal of Count Dracula, left an indelible mark on the horror genre and forever cemented his status as a Hollywood legend. Born in Hungary, Lugosi's captivating presence and distinctive accent brought an air of sophistication and mystery to his roles, captivating audiences with his chilling performances. His portrayal of the seductive and enigmatic vampire in the 1931 film "Dracula" set the standard for the character, becoming synonymous with horror itself.
Lugosi's commanding stage presence and theatrical delivery made him an unforgettable figure, and his contributions to the genre continue to influence generations of actors and filmmakers. Beyond his portrayal of the iconic vampire, Lugosi's talent extended to a diverse range of roles, showcasing his versatility and depth as an actor. Despite facing personal struggles and typecasting challenges throughout his career, Lugosi's enduring legacy as the quintessential Count Dracula has immortalized him as an iconic figure in cinema history.
Bela Lugosi Quotes
People, chained by monotony, afraid to think, clinging to certainties... they live like ants.
In Hungary, acting is a profession. In America, it is a decision.
In Hungary, acting is a career for which one fits himself as earnestly as one studies for a degree in medicine, law, or philosophy.
In making theories, always keep a window open so that you can throw one out if necessary. (Meaning)
It is women who bear the race in bloody agony. Suffering is a kind of horror. Blood is a kind of horror. Women are born with horror in their very bloodstream. It is a biological thing.
Every actor's greatest ambition is to create his own, definite and original role, a character with which he will always be identified. In my case, that role was Dracula.
To die, to be really dead, that must be glorious.
It is women who love horror. Gloat over it. Feed on it. Are nourished by it. Shudder and cling and cry out-and come back for more.
Women have a predestination to suffering.
Every actor is somewhat mad, or else he'd be a plumber or a bookkeeper or a salesman.
I'll be truthful. The weekly paycheck is the most important thing to me.
It was hell to go through what I went through. I didn't know I had so many friends. Many people gave a damn about my situation. They helped cure me.
It took several years of hard work in small roles before I attained stardom.
Circumstances made me the theatrical personality I am, which many people believe is also a part of my personal life.
There was no male vampire type in existence. Someone suggested an actor of the Continental School who could play any type, and mentioned me.
That is different, to have someone think that I am evil when I really am not.
The love-bite, it is the beginning. You will be irresistible.
To portray a maniac offers a compelling challenge.
If you are not serious, people will sense it.
If my accent betrayed my foreign birth, it also stamped me as an enemy, in the imagination of the producers.
Martyrdom was the price of enthusiasm for acting.
It took me years to live down Dracula and convince the film producers that I would play almost any other type of role.
The actor depends wholly on himself. He gives his performance in what, to him, seems the most effective manner.
The vampire was a complete change from the usual romantic characters I was playing, but it was a success.
Actors were exploited no less by the capitalist managers than they were by the state.
I have played Dracula a thousand times on stage and I find I have become thoroughly settled in the technique of the stage and not of the screen.
In the studio the director controls the actor's every move, every inflection, every expression.
I look in the mirror and say to myself, Can it be you once played Romeo?
Of all the roles I've done on the stage, I'm partial to Cyrano de Bergerac.
Death, the final, triumphant lover.
The stage is near and dear to me.
The former ruling class kept the community of actors in ignorance by means of various lies.
A screen actor is compensated in the knowledge that millions will see his performance at one time, where only hundreds will see it on the stage.
You can't make people believe in you if you play a horror part with your tongue in your cheek.
The screen magnifies everything, even the way you are thinking.
― Bela Lugosi Quotes
Bela Lugosi (Actor) Life Highlights
- Bela Lugosi was born on October 20, 1882, in Lugos, Austria-Hungary (now Lugoj, Romania).
- His birth name was Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó.
- He was a Hungarian-American actor.
- Bela Lugosi is best known for his iconic portrayal of Count Dracula in the 1931 film "Dracula."
- His performance as the vampire Count earned him widespread recognition and established him as a horror film icon.
- Lugosi was known for his commanding presence, distinctive accent, and dramatic delivery.
- He appeared in several other horror films, including "White Zombie" (1932) and "The Black Cat" (1934).
- Despite his fame as Dracula, Lugosi struggled to escape typecasting in horror roles, which affected his career.
- He appeared in various stage productions and films throughout his career, but none reached the same level of success as "Dracula."
- Bela Lugosi's career declined in the 1940s, and he faced personal and financial difficulties.
- He became addicted to painkillers and suffered from health problems.
- Lugosi's last major role was in the film "Plan 9 from Outer Space" (1959), which is considered one of the worst movies ever made.
- He was posthumously recognized as a cultural icon and a symbol of classic horror cinema.
- Bela Lugosi passed away on August 16, 1956, in Los Angeles, California, USA.
- His portrayal of Count Dracula continues to be celebrated and imitated in popular culture.
* The editor of this curated page made every effort to maintain information accuracy, including any sayings, quotes, facts, dates, or key life events.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
