Vilma Banky
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.
Known for
ActingBirthday
January 9, 1901Deathday
March 18, 1991Gender
FemaleKnown Movie Credits
17Place of birth
Nagydorog, Austria-Hungary [now Hungary]Also known as
Vilma Bánky, The Hungarian Rhapsody![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/runsDppoL2p3wcVRE56flRP8MmV.jpg)
Cast credits
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/yZib8tHbOHrSTSszif728VwU2L6.jpg)
The Son of the Sheik
Yasmin, André's Daughter![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/uk7irSEIkQzh604PCTvbsToKJui.jpg)
The Winning of Barbara Worth
Barbara Worth![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/dwF5S5Vbk2gZC3MPNxn9O5eBJSa.jpg)
The Eagle
Mascha Troekouroff![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/bBRdNeQUDSEPSKn7W2k4MyoFg9a.jpg)
A Lady to Love
Lena Shultz![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/xqC2MnFpqOLzRryzWs4mACyzq21.jpg)
Two Lovers
Donna Leonora de Vargas![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/zhuR5QpF3tUN0SdEF7jHY71MSMX.jpg)
The Awakening
Marie Ducrot![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/arrE0FBEYBdJVRYyH6TrLl5O06U.jpg)
The Magic Flame
Bianca, the Aerial Artist![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/r3HyIikVkQnEA4zWARuYlqozqaL.jpg)
The Circus: Premiere
Self![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/yQwEtPn2LkHwigQGxgRXxAVcbP2.jpg)
This Is Heaven
Eva Petrie![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/uTAFFfMhRGgoqXJnbpKXG1Qx31n.jpg)
The Night of Love
Princess Marie![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/jxmI873cEcPppPnYIJ0MjwAnH06.jpg)
The Golden Twenties
Self (archive footage)![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/sfirxwiKMD9KbHCJx0LVp1xZ49e.jpg)
King of the Circus
![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/2mGpzW23Ed0LVgVuXfi3JRApONO.jpg)
Every woman's longing
Mizzi![](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/h632/ckcYIuJOt0Kb0Lt39VcFPGj5yqU.jpg)
The Legend of Rudolph Valentino
Self (archive footage)