Victor Varconi

Who was Victor Varconi?

Victor Varconi was a highly successful silent film star in Hungary. Born Mihály Várkonyi in Kisvárda, Austria-Hungary, he was the first Hungarian actor to make a film in the United States.

He worked under contract to Cecil B. DeMille, and played Pontius Pilate in DeMille's 1927 production of The King of Kings.

Varconi's popularity waned with the advent of sound films- because of his accent he was cast in smaller parts, often playing Hispanic characters. He worked on the New York City stage and wrote for radio.

He died from a heart attack in Santa Barbara, California on June 6, 1976, at the age of 85 and was interred at the Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles, California, USA.