She would like to visit Hungary one day and is glad that Madame Tussauds Budapest commemorates his grandfather with a wax figure – said Lynne Lugosi, Béla Lugosi’s granddaughter, who has a major role in the soon-to-be-published first official biographical book about one of the most famous Hungarian in world history. Béla Lugosi has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, his birthplace is visited by thousands, and Madame Tussauds Budapest pays tribute to the creator of Dracula, who was born 142 years ago on October 20, with a lifelike wax figure. On the occasion of the anniversary, the actor’s granddaughter also spoke through Madame Tussauds Budapest. Béla Lugosi started a new life overseas in 1920 and never returned home. He married Lillian Arch in 1933, with whom he had one child, Béla Lugosi Jr. Currently, his daughter Lynne Lugosi runs the company that manages her grandfather’s estate. “My grandfather and grandmother Lillian created beautifully organized photo albums and scrapbooks that documented both my grandfather’s career and his personal life with Lillian and my father, Bela Lugosi, Jr. These are treasures to our family and pieces of history for the film world” – said Lynne Lugosi. “Our most prized piece from my grandfather’s personal items was his screen worn cape from the 1931 Universal film, Dracula. After the film, Béla wore the cape on stage and in appearances for the rest of his life. My grandmother preserved the cape and gave it to my father, who in turn kept it with the family until he decided that this very special artifact, one that defined Béla and the character he created, should be preserved and shared with future generations. The Béla Lugosi Dracula Cape is now in the collection of the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, California” – said Lynne Lugosi who is living in the United States. She also revealed that the most famous Hungarian stayed connected to Hungary and Transylvania throughout his life. “Throughout his life Béla spent his social time almost exclusively with his wife Lillian’s family, who were also Hungarian, and with his close friends in the Hungarian community in Los Angeles. He primarily spoke Hungarian at home and was an avid reader of Hungarian newspapers, but most of all he loved Hungarian food, Egri Bikavér wine and parádi ásványvíz sulfur water! As a young child my dad understood Hungarian and spoke a little, but as he got older, he lost his knowledge of the language” – said the granddaughter who has not yet been to Hungary nor to Lugos, now part of Romania, the birthplace of the star, but she plans to travel to Budapest. “I am truly looking forward to someday visiting Hungary and Madame Tussauds Budapest. The Lugosi Family is honored that the Béla Lugosi figure has such a prominent place in the museum” – Lynne Lugosi said. Fans can see Lugosi’s wax figure in two places in the world: in Hollywood, a few steps from the Walk of Fame, and in downtown Budapest. Lynn will do everything to ensure that the creator of Dracula is not forgotten. “I have taken over the mantle from my dad of running Lugosi Enterprises and of representing the family and our patriarch, Béla Lugosi. The mission of our company is to protect and extend Béla Lugosi’s legacy. One of the projects is the Béla Lugosi Collection at the Academy Film Archive in Los Angeles. I am very excited to announce that the definitive and only family authorized biography of Béla Lugosi will be released in December of this year. The project has been years in the making and has been a true passion project for me and for our friend and author, Robert Cremer. Béla Lugosi: The Man Behind the Cape tells the story of the man who was destined to become Dracula, from his birth in Lugos, Hungary to his death in 1956 and details through photographs his career and personal life” – said Lynne Lugosi. Fans can see the wax figure of Béla Lugosi not only on his birthday but also every day. Lugodi is also featured in the production’s experiential education program for students. Photos: Courtesy of the Lugosi Collection Notes to Editors About Madame Tussauds: Madame Tussauds has been inviting people to walk the red carpet and get closer to the revered – and feared – for over 250 years. With over 22 attractions in the world’s top destination cities, we are dedicated to giving millions of visitors the opportunity to mingle with the mighty from A-listers to music legends, heroes of sport, to infamous world leaders. Today, we continue to partner with the global icons of a generation to create astonishing lifelike figures from sittings and offer exciting and interactive experiences to ensure guests have never felt closer to fame. About Merlin Entertainments: Merlin Entertainments is a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin operates over 140 attractions, 23 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 25 countries and across 4 continents. Merlin’s purpose is to deliver memorable experiences to its millions of guests around the world, through its iconic brands and multiple attraction formats, and the commitment and passion of its employees. 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