Bela Lugosi Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (; October 20, 1882 – August 16, 1956), known professionally as Bela Lugosi (; ), was a Hungarian and American actor best remembered for portraying Count Dracula in the 1931 horror classic ''Dracula'', Ygor in ''S ...

(1882–1956), best known for the original screen portrayal of

Bram Stoker Abraham Stoker (8 November 1847 – 20 April 1912) was an Irish author who is celebrated for his 1897 Gothic horror novel '' Dracula''. During his lifetime, he was better known as the personal assistant of actor Sir Henry Irving and busine ...

Dracula ''Dracula'' is a novel by Bram Stoker, published in 1897. As an epistolary novel, the narrative is related through letters, diary entries, and newspaper articles. It has no single protagonist, but opens with solicitor Jonathan Harker taking ...

in 1931, was in many movies during the course of his 39-year film career. He appeared in films made in his native Hungary, Germany and New York before re-locating to Hollywood in 1928. Films are listed in order of release. (see

for his biography.) Bela Lugosi as Dracula-2

1910s

This is a list of confirmed film roles Lugosi has performed in. Some films from other filmography sources have not been included here such as Star Film's ''

Casanova Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (, ; 2 April 1725 – 4 June 1798) was an Italian adventurer and author from the Republic of Venice. His autobiography, (''Story of My Life''), is regarded as one of the most authentic sources of information about the c ...

'' (1918), ''

Lulu Lulu may refer to: Companies * LuLu, an early automobile manufacturer * Lulu.com, an online e-books and print self-publishing platform, distributor, and retailer * Lulu Hypermarket, a retail chain in Asia * Lululemon Athletica or simply Lulu, a C ...

'' (1918) and ''

Lili ''Lili'' is a 1953 American film released by MGM. It stars Leslie Caron as a touchingly naïve French girl whose emotional relationship with a carnival puppeteer is conducted through the medium of four puppets. The film won the Academy Award for ...

'' (1917), all of which had announced that Lugosi would appear in them, but Lugosi was apparently dropped from the cast before production began.

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

Television/ Radio

*''Intimate Interviews'' (1932) interviewed on radio by Dorothy West *'' Hollywood on Parade No. A-8'' (1933) a 10-minute comedy skit/ short subject with Bonnie Poe as

Betty Boop Betty Boop is an animated cartoon character created by Max Fleischer, with help from animators including Grim Natwick.Pointer (2017) She originally appeared in the ''Talkartoon'' and ''Betty Boop'' film series, which were produced by Fleischer ...

*''Universal's Black Cat Contest'' (March 1934) this newsreel showed Karloff and Lugosi trying to pick the winner of Universal's "Black Cat Contest" *''Screen Snapshots'' Episode 34 (1934) this newsreel shows Lugosi playing chess with Boris Karloff *''Hollywood Movie Parade'' (1934) a short featurette co-starring Jackie Cooper *''Baker's Broadcast'' (1937) Lugosi and Karloff sang "We're Horrible, Horrible Men" on this radio show with

Ozzie and Harriet ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet'' is an American television sitcom that aired on ABC from October 3, 1952, to April 23, 1966, and starred the real-life Nelson family. After a long run on radio, the show was brought to television, where it ...

*''Texaco Star Theater'' (Nov. 15, 1939) Lugosi appeared with

Burgess Meredith Oliver Burgess Meredith (November 16, 1907 – September 9, 1997) was an American actor and filmmaker whose career encompassed theater, film, and television. Active for more than six decades, Meredith has been called "a virtuosic actor" and "on ...

on this "Dracula on Sunnybrook Farm" radio episode *''Black Friday Newsreel'' (Jan. 18, 1940) - Lugosi shown being hypnotized by his friend Manly Hall for his death scene in ''Black Friday'' (1940); film is lost *''Kay Kayser'' Radio Show (Sept. 25, 1940) with Karloff and Peter Lorre *''

The Milton Berle Show ''Texaco Star Theater'' was an American comedy-variety show, broadcast on radio from 1938 to 1949 and telecast from 1948 to 1956. It was one of the first successful examples of American television broadcasting, remembered as the show that gave Mi ...

'' TV show (mid-1940s) Texaco Star Theatre *''Play Broadcast'' Quiz Program (May 2, 1941) Chicago radio show *''Screen Snapshots'' (1943) Lugosi is shown in this newsreel donating blood during World War II *''Suspense'' Radio Show (Feb. 2, 1943) episode called "The Doctor Prescribed Death" *''Texaco Star Theater: The Fred Allen Show'' (Apr. 25, 1943) Lugosi did a radio comedy sketch with Fred Allen *''Mail Call'' (March 11, 1944) Lugosi appeared with Orson Welles and Edward Everett Horton on this radio show *''Mystery House'' Radio (1944) Lugosi was to host a syndicated radio series; a pilot was apparently made with Lugosi and John Carradine called "The Thirsty Death", but it is unknown if it ever aired; the program is considered lost. *''Which Is Which?'' Radio Show (Feb. 14, 1945) with host Ken Murray * ''Country Fair'' Radio Show (July 31, 1945) with host Jack Bailey *''Command Performance'' produced by the Armed Forces Radio Service (July 16, 1946) Lugosi did a "Superman" skit with Bob Hope, Paulette Goddard and Sterling Holloway (Lugosi played the villain named Dr. Bekini) *''The Rudy Vallee Show'' Radio Show (Oct. 22, 1946) Lugosi did a short comedy skit in which he played a vampire called "The Bat" *''Exploring the Unknown'' Radio Show (Mar. 9, 1947) *''The Adventures of Ellery Queen'' Radio Show (Mar. 19, 1947) crime drama *''Quick As a Flash'' Radio Show (May 18, 1947) *''The Bill and Fan Show'' Albany N.Y. Radio show (Aug. 4, 1947) Lugosi interviewed while at Saratoga Racetrack *''Backstage at the Spa Theater'' Schenectady TV station (August 6, 1947) Lugosi interview *''Hollywood Soundstage'' Albany Radio show (Aug. 7, 1947) Lugosi interviewed by Cathy Rice *''Candid Microphone'' Radio Show (Oct. 24, 1947) starring Alan Funt *''The Guy Lebow Show'' Radio (Summer, 1948) Lugosi interview *''The Abbott and Costello Show'' Radio Program (May 5, 1948) Lugosi did a haunted house skit with

Lou Costello Louis Francis Cristillo (March 6, 1906 – March 3, 1959), professionally known as Lou Costello, was an American comedian, actor and producer. He was best known for his double act with straight man Bud Abbott and their routine "Who's on First?" ...

and Sidney Fields *''The Martha Deane Radio Show'' N.Y. City radio show (Aug.9, 1948) Lugosi interview *''Variety Show'' Los Angeles TV show (Aug. 18, 1948) Lugosi appeared in a pre-filmed TV special *''Night of Stars Event'' Madison Square Garden, NY (Nov. 15, 1948) appeared live with Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre in support of Israel *''Herb Shrimer Time'' WCBS Radio, NYC (Nov. 22, 1948) *''Surprise Theater'' Los Angeles TV show (Aug. 31, 1949) broadcast an episode starring Lugosi *''Tales of Fatima'' N.Y. Radio show (Sept. 10, 1949) appeared with Basil Rathbone in "Man in the Shadows" (radio play) *''Art Linkletter's House Party'' N.Y. Radio show (Oct. 6, 1949) Lugosi interview *''

Suspense Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, being undecided, or being doubtful. In a dramatic work, suspense is the anticipation of the outcome of a plot or of the solution to an uncertainty, puzzle, or mystery, particularly as it aff ...

'' N.Y. TV show (episode "

The Cask of Amontillado "The Cask of Amontillado" (sometimes spelled "The Casque of Amontillado" ) is a short story by American writer Edgar Allan Poe, first published in the November 1846 issue of ''Godey's Lady's Book''. The story, set in an unnamed Italy, Italian cit ...

" October 11, 1949) as General Fortunato *''

Texaco Star Theatre ''Texaco Star Theater'' was an American comedy-variety show, broadcast on radio from 1938 to 1949 and telecast from 1948 to 1956. It was one of the first successful examples of American television broadcasting, remembered as the show that gave Mi ...

'' TV show (Oct. 27, 1949) Lugosi wears his cape and attempts to hypnotize Milton Berle in a skit; co-starred Olsen and Johnson; this 60-minute program exists today on DVD *''Crime Does Not Pay'' N.Y. Radio show (Dec. 12, 1949) Lugosi plays a demented arsonist named Nick Segadin in "Gasoline Cocktail" episode (prerecorded) *''

Celebrity Time ''Celebrity Time'' (also known as ''The Eyes Have It'') is an American game and audience participation television series that was broadcast on ABC in 1949 - 1950 and on CBS in 1950 - 1952. The original host was Douglas Edwards. Rules The show ...

'' N.Y. TV show with Arlene Francis (January 22, 1950) this show was rerun on Dec. 22, 1950 *'' Bonnie Maid Versatile Varieties'' N.Y. TV show (January 27, 1950) *'' Starlit Time'' (May 21, 1950) Lugosi appeared on this musical-variety TV show *''Little Old New York'' WPIX-TV show (June 1, 1950) starring Ed Sullivan *''The Bill Slater Show'' WOR-TV show (June 7, 1950) *''Candid Microphone'' CBS Radio Show (June 27, 1950) starring Allen Funt *''Murder and Bela Lugosi'' WPIX-TV show (Sept. 18, 1950) Lugosi did this one-hour program in which he provided the commentary about a number of his old horror films while clips were shown; historian Gary Rhodes thinks some of this "Lugosi host" footage found its way into the 1959 British Lugosi film ''Lock Up Your Daughters'' (a lost film today)(click section "1940-1959" on source page) *''The Paul Winchell Show'' N.Y. TV (Oct. 2, 1950) as Count Dracula *''The Robert Q. Lewis Show'' (shown Dec. 24, 1950) CBS-TV, Bela meets Santa Claus skit *''

Okay, Mother ''Okay, Mother'' is an American daytime television, daytime Variety show, variety/game show which originally aired on WNYW, WABD in New York City in 1948. Broadcast history The series, hosted by Dennis James, began on WABD, then aired on the DuMo ...

'' ABC Radio Show (December 28, 1950) Lillian Lugosi was interviewed by Dennis James *''The Betty Crocker Magazine Show of the Air'' Radio Show (Jan. 29, 1951) *''The Johnny Olson Luncheon Club'' Radio Show (Feb. 7, 1951) *''Bela Lugosi's Horror and Magic Stage Show'' (Dec. 16, 1950 - March 17, 1951) (traveled throughout NY and NJ) *''Crime Does Not Pay'' Radio Show (Feb. 18, 1951) Episode called ''Gasoline Cocktail'' (a rerun) *''The Charlie Chester Show'' recorded in England (April 14, 1951) BBC-TV *''Ship’s Reporter'' (December 11, 1951) Lugosi shipboard interview by Jack Mangan upon his return from England; this newsreel was aired around Christmastime *''The House of Wax Premiere'' (April 16, 1953) appeared live in front of the Paramount Theater when the film premiered in L.A.; some footage of the event appeared in a Pathe newsreel released theatrically on April 27, 1953. *''

You Asked For It ''You Asked for It'' is a human interest television show created and hosted by Art Baker. Initially titled ''The Art Baker Show'', the program originally aired on American television between 1950 and 1959. Later versions of the series were see ...

'' California TV show (July 27, 1953) performed his "Vampire Illusion"; rebroadcast on East Coast Aug. 9, 1953 *''The Spade Cooley Show'' (KTLA Radio, Halloween, 1953) Lugosi guest-starred with comedian Ukie Sherin (Lugosi's dialogue director on the film ''

Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla ''Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla'' (also known as ''The Boys from Brooklyn'' and in England as ''Monster Meets The Gorilla'') is a 1952 American comedy horror science fiction film directed by William Beaudine and starring horror veteran B ...

''). *''

The Red Skelton Show ''The Red Skelton Show'' is an American television comedy/variety show that aired from 1951 to 1971. In the decade prior to hosting the show, Richard "Red" Skelton had a successful career as a radio and motion pictures star. Although his televis ...

'' (June, 1954) co-starring

Lon Chaney Jr. Creighton Tull Chaney (February10, 1906 – July12, 1973), known by his stage name Lon Chaney Jr., was an American actor known for playing Larry Talbot in the film '' The Wolf Man'' (1941) and its various crossovers, Count Alucard (Dracu ...

and Maila (Vampira) Nurmi;

Ed Wood Edward Davis Wood Jr. (October 10, 1924 – December 10, 1978) was an American filmmaker, actor, and pulp novel author. In the 1950s, Wood directed several low-budget science fiction, crime and horror films that later became cult cla ...

was there and acted as Lugosi's dialogue coach backstage *''Metropolitan State Hospital Interview'' (August 1, 1955) interview filmed upon his medical release *'' The Tom Duggan Show'' (Summer, 1956) Lugosi was interviewed about his drug addiction and cure *''

The Black Sleep ''The Black Sleep'' is a 1956 American independent horror film directed by Reginald LeBorg, and written by John C. Higgins from a story by Gerald Drayson Adams. It stars Basil Rathbone, Lon Chaney Jr., John Carradine, Bela Lugosi, and Akim Tamiro ...

Theatrical Premiere'' (appeared live at the theatre on June 27, 1956) *''Lugosi, The Forgotten King'' (a 1985 documentary) Dracula one sheet movie posters

Stage Play credits (in U.S. only)

(Note* - Lugosi appeared in at least 172 plays in his native Hungary between 1902 and 1918) *''Little Miss Bluebeard'' (June, 1921) - Lugosi and his 2nd wife Ilona von Montagh met while co-starring in this NY City play, performed in Hungarian language *''Torveny'' (''The Law'') - Lugosi and Ilona von Montagh co-starred in this Hungarian language play in Bridgeport, Connecticut in September 1921 (Lugosi directed the play as well) *''Liliom'' - Lugosi and von Montagh co-starred in this Hungarian language play in NY City in September 1921; the two were married that month *''Sarga Liliom'' - (late 1921) performed in New York in Hungarian language *''Getto'' (February 1922) performed in New York in Hungarian language; also directed by Lugosi *''A demarkacio szinmu'' (circa March 1922) - performed in New York in Hungarian language *''The Tragedy of Man'' - opened April 8, 1922 (N.Y. City) Lugosi played Adam and also directed this play in Hungarian language; co-starred Ilona von Montagh *''The Red Poppy'' - opened Dec 20, 1922 (Greenwich Village) in his first English language play, Lugosi starred as Fernando; co-starred Estelle Winwood and Arthur Lubin. *''Die Sorina'' (November 1923) performed at Columbia University in N.Y. City in Hungarian language; Lugosi also directed this play *''The Right to Dream'' (1924) Lugosi was contracted to direct this N.Y. play by producer Irving Davis, but Davis quickly fired him after deeming him not talented enough; Lugosi sued Davis in court on May 21, 1924, for breach of contract, but lost the case. *''The Werewolf'' - opened June 1, 1924 (Chicago) Lugosi left this play after only one week (played Vincente, a butler) *''Forradalmi nasz'' (February 1925) performed in N.Y. City in the Hungarian language *''Arabesque'' - Oct 20, 1925 - Nov 07, 1925 (N.Y. City); played an Arab sheik *''Open House'' - Dec 14, 1925 - Feb 10, 1926 (N.Y. City); played Sergius Chernoff, a Russian *''The Devil in the Cheese'' - Dec 29, 1926 - May 1927 (N.Y. City) played both Father Petros and Cardos the bandit; co-starred Fredric March and Dwight Frye; 165 performances *''Dracula'' - Oct 05, 1927 - May 19, 1928 (N.Y. City) as Dracula; co-starred Edward Van Sloan and Bernard Jukes as Renfield *''Dracula'' - June 24, 1928 - Sept. 15, 1928 (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland) with Bernard Jukes as Renfield; Lugosi relocated to California in 1928. *''Dracula'' - May 19, 1929 - Aug. 17, 1929 (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland) with Harry Walker as Renfield; all told 265 performances *''Murdered Alive'' - April 2, 1932 - May 5, 1932 (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Los Angeles) played Dr. Orloff, a mad sculptor *''Dracula'' - May 29, 1932 - June 5, 1932 (Portland, Oregon) with Perry Ivins as Renfield (who also directed the play) *''Murder at the Vanities'' - Sep 8, 1933 - Mar 10, 1934 (N.Y. City) played Siebenkase; co-starred Olga Baclanova and Robert Cummings; 298 performances *''Tovarich'' - opened Mar. 22, 1937 - May 15, 1937 (San Francisco, Los Angeles) played Commissar Gorotchenko *''Stardust Cavalcade Revue'' - March 30, 1940 to May 2, 1940 (Ohio, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York City and Washington DC) toured with Ed Sullivan and Arthur Treacher (Lugosi appeared again in several summer tours reprising scenes from ''Dracula'' between 1940 and 1946.) *''One Night of Horror'' - May 2–8, 1941 (Chicago) a spook show Lugosi put on for the premiere of his film, ''The Invisible Ghost'' *''Dracula'' - opened April 30, 1943 - June 26, 1943 (East Coast tour/ Plymouth/ Boston) *''Arsenic and Old Lace'' - Aug. 5, 1943 - Sept. 22, 1943 (San Francisco, Los Angeles) played Jonathan Brewster *''Arsenic and Old Lace'' - Jan. 29, 1944 - June 3, 1944 (East Coast tour) played Jonathan Brewster *''No Traveler Returns'' - Feb. 26, 1945 - March 19, 1945 (San Francisco, Seattle) played Bharat Singh, a Hindu servant; co-starred Ian Keith *''That We May Live'' - Dec. 17–18, 1946 - a two-day show at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium *''A Nightmare of Horror'' - Feb. 7–8, 1947 (San Diego) a two-night spook show held at San Diego's Orpheum Theater *''Three Indelicate Ladies'' - April 10, 1947 - April 19, 1947 (New Haven, Boston) played Francis O'Rourke, co-starred Ray Walston *''Arsenic and Old Lace'' - June 30, 1947 - July 5, 1947 (Pennsylvania) played Jonathan Brewster *''Dracula'' - July 14, 1947 - Aug. 2, 1947 (Connecticut, Long Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut) co-starred Simon Oakland as Van Helsing and Ray Walston as Renfield in some towns *''Arsenic and Old Lace'' - Aug. 5, 1947 - Aug. 10, 1947 (Sarasota Springs, N.Y.) with Richard Boone as a policeman *''Bill Neff's Madhouse of Mystery'' - mid-1947 (California) - a spook show play in which Lugosi appeared at various movie theaters *''The Tell-Tale Heart'' - Nov. 19, 1947 - Dec. 23, 1947 (Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan) a 40-minute one-man spook show scripted by Lugosi's agent Don Marlowe (consisting of Lugosi doing a monologue with a beating heart heard throughout); apparently Marlowe made a 16-inch transcription disc recording of the show, which is today considered lost. *''Promotional Appearances for

Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein ''Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein'' is a 1948 American horror comedy film directed by Charles Barton. The film features Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi) who has become partners with Dr. Sandra Mornay (Lenore Aubert), as Dracula requires a "simp ...

'' (June 1948) appeared in a live stage act with Glenn Strange dressed as the Monster (L.A., San Francisco and San Diego) *''Dracula'' July 8, 1948 - Aug. 7, 1948 (Colorado, Pennsylvania, Connecticut) *''Arsenic and Old Lace'' - August 9, 1948 - August 14, 1948 (Sea Cliff, NJ) Lugosi first met producers Richard and Alex Gordon at this show *''The Bela Lugosi Company Vaudeville Show'' - Aug. 20, 1948 -Oct. 29, 1948 (Detroit, Miami and Atlantic City) a traveling vaudeville act put on at various movie theaters *''Nightmare of Horror'' Stage Show (early 1949) appeared with Glenn Strange, as Dracula and the Frankenstein Monster (San Diego, Los Angeles) *''Arsenic and Old Lace'' - July 11, 1949 - Aug. 21, 1949 (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania) *''The Bela Lugosi Company Vaudeville Show'' - Nov. 16 - Nov. 23, 1949 (St. Louis, Wichita) - a traveling vaudeville act in which Lillian Lugosi played a small role onstage (the hypnotized maid in a "Dracula" skit) *''Dracula'' - Mar. 20, 1950 - March 25, 1950 (St. Petersburg, Florida); July 4, 1950 - July 7, 1950 (Vermont) *''The Devil Also Dreams'' - July 24, 1950 - August 26, 1950 (Massachusetts, New York, Canada) played the butler Alexander Petofy *''Bela Lugosi's Horror and Magic Stage Show'' - Dec. 6, 1950 - March, 1951 (New York, New Jersey) - a traveling vaudeville act that ended when Lugosi had to leave for England in April *''Dracula'' - Apr. 30, 1951 - mid-September, 1951 (England) Lugosi and Lillian toured England in this low-budget production in 1951 *''Arsenic and Old Lace'' - Jan. 19, 1954 - Jan. 25, 1954 (St. Louis) *''The Bela Lugosi Revue'' (Feb. 19, 1954 - Mar. 27, 1954) a one-hour stage act (performed at least 3 times per day) at the Silver Slipper Saloon, Las Vegas; directed and co-written by

*''The Devil's Paradise'' - June 8, 1956 - June 9, 1956 (Los Angeles) Lugosi plays an unnamed narcotics smugglerNo Traveler Returns: The Lost Years of Bela Lugosi by Bill Kaffenberger and Gary D. Rhodes (2012) BearManor Media, ISBN 1593932855