Vilma Banky

Vilma Banky (January 9, 1898 - March 18, 1991) was an American/Hungarian silent film actress.

She was born Konsics Bánky Vilma in Nagyrodog , Hungary and began appearing in films there in 1920. On a trip to Budapest in 1925, Hollywood film producer Samuel Goldwyn discovered the violet- eyed, blonde beauty and signed her to a contract.

She was hailed as The Hungarian Rhapsody and was an immediate hit with American audiences. She appeared opposite such silent greats as Rudolph Valentino and Ronald Colman in films such as The Eagle (1925), The Son of the Sheik (1926), The Winning of Barbara Worth (1926) and A Lady to Love (1930). Her thick Hungarian accent cut her career short with the advent of sound and she retired from the screen in 1931.

She married actor Rod La Rocque in 1927 and was with him until his death in 1967.

Her post Hollywood years were spent selling real estate with her husband and playing golf, her favorite sport. She and her husband created an educational fund for children called The Banky - La Rocque Foundation.

Banky died on March 18, 1991 of cardiorespiratory arrest . Her ashes were scattered at sea.

References

Unterburger, Amy L. International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers. Vol. 3. 3rd ed. Detroit: St. James Press, c1997. ISBN 1-55862-302-7.