October 31, 2005

Bela Lugosi Lived Here

Bela Lugosi, the stage name of actor Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó, is an epithet that immediately conjures up images of vampires, werewolves, and other monsters. The actor was well known as one of Hollywood's darkest leading men, so it seems appropriate to pay tribute to him this Halloween. Think of Lugosi as you watch everyone who is dressed-up in dracula costumes parading around the neighborhood, or Sunset Boulevard, as the case may be...in fact, you probably already do.

Lugosi is likely best remembered for his portrayal of Dracula in the American Broadway stage production, and subsequent 1931 film, of Bram Stoker's classic vampire story. His interpretation of Stoker's villain forever defined the role, and evokes the imagery that we think of today.

Lugosi wasn't really a vampire, of course. He lived in the Hollywood Hills like many actors have done before and since. Awhile back, I was asked by a PreserveLA reader whether I knew anything about where Lugosi lived in Los Angeles, and if his residence remained intact. Here is what I found:

A quick Google search revealed that Bela Lugosi had a residence in at the late 1930s at 2227 Outpost Drive in the Outpost Estates neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills. According to the neighorhood association's website, developer Charles Toberman built the residence as a model home in 1935. Toberman wanted to use the house to demonstrate a radically new type of construction. The house was built entirely of steel, and heralded as being "termite proof and fireproof, earthquake resistant and impervious to wear and shrinkage." Lugosi is said to have immediately purchased the residence upon its completion.

Later in his career Lugosi moved into a little flat at 5620 Harold Way in Los Angeles. This is where he lived through his infamous "Ed Wood" period. The once great actor died in this simple home on August 16, 1956,

Sources:
http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/l/Bela%20Lugosi/bela_lugosi.htm
http://www.outpostestates.com/OurHistory.html
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000509/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bela_Lugosi



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