Lugosi was approached in the summer of 1927 to star in a Broadway Production of Dracula adapted by Hamilton Deane and John Balderston from the original Bram Stoker's novel. The production was extremely successful, running 261 performances before touring the World. The rising star soon became noticed by notorious Hollywood Directors and began appearing in films, not forgetting numerous television programs.
Despite his amazing work on stage, Lugosi was surprisingly not Universal Pictures first choice for the role of Dracula when the Company decided to create the film. The nasty rumour stated that the Director, Tod Browning, closely collaborated with Lon Chaney who was the first choice for the role, but later after his sudden death the production crew made the decision that the part was now Bela Lugosi's.
Lugosi had a thriving career path after he made his mark on Dracula. He later went on to appear in movies such as Son of Frankenstein and the comedy Ninotchka.
Bela Lugosi died of a heart attack on 16th August 1956 at the age of 73. He was buried wearing one of the Dracula cape costumes, at the request of his son and fourth wife, in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Despite his amazing work on stage, Lugosi was surprisingly not Universal Pictures first choice for the role of Dracula when the Company decided to create the film. The nasty rumour stated that the Director, Tod Browning, closely collaborated with Lon Chaney who was the first choice for the role, but later after his sudden death the production crew made the decision that the part was now Bela Lugosi's.
Lugosi had a thriving career path after he made his mark on Dracula. He later went on to appear in movies such as Son of Frankenstein and the comedy Ninotchka.
Bela Lugosi died of a heart attack on 16th August 1956 at the age of 73. He was buried wearing one of the Dracula cape costumes, at the request of his son and fourth wife, in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.