Victor Varconi

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Victor Varconi (born Mihály Várkonyi, 31 March 1891 – 6 June 1976) was a highly successful silent film actor in Hungary. Born in Kisvárda, Austria-Hungary, Varconi was the first Hungarian actor to make a film in the United States. His normal speaking accent sounded almost exactly like that of Transylvanian Bela Lugosi. He worked under contract to Cecil B. DeMille, and played Pontius Pilate in DeMille's 1927 production of The King of Kings. Because of his accent, Varconi's popularity waned with the advent of sound films and he was cast in smaller parts, often playing Hispanic characters. He worked on the New York City stage and wrote for radio. He died from a heart attack in Santa Barbara, California on 6 June 1976 at the age of 85. He was interred at the Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles, California, US.

Known For

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

as Count d'Auberge

Samson and Delilah

as Lord of Ashdod

For Whom the Bell Tolls

as Primitivo

The Sea Hawk

as Gen. Aguirre

Unconquered

as Captain Simeon Ecuyer

The King of Kings

as Pontius Pilate - Governor of Judea

Reap the Wild Wind

as Lubbock

Strange Cargo

as Fisherman

The Atomic Submarine

as Clifford Kent

Roberta

as Ladislaw