Bela Lugosi, original name Blasko Béla Ferenc Dezső, (born October 20, 1882, Lugos, Hungary [now Lugoj, Romania]—died August 16, 1956, Los Angeles, California, U.S.), Hungarian-born motion-picture actor who was most famous for his sinister portrayal of the elegantly mannered vampire Count Dracula. At age 12 Lugosi ran away from home and began working odd jobs, including stage acting. He studied at the Budapest Academy of Theatrical Arts and made his stage debut in 1901. From 1913 to 1919 he was a member of the National Theatre. While in Budapest he also acted in several Hungarian films, o...