Bella Darvi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bella Darvi
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Darvi in 1954
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| Born |
Bajla Węgier
23 October 1928 Sosnowiec, Poland
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| Died | 11 September 1971 (aged 42) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1954–1971 |
| Spouse(s) |
Alban Cavalcade
(m. 1950; div. 1952)Claude Rouas
(m. 1960; div. 1961) |
Bella Darvi (born Bajla Węgier; October 23, 1928 – September 11, 1971) was an actress from Poland. She performed in movies and on stage in both France and the United States.
Contents
About Bella Darvi
Early Life and World War II
Bella Darvi was born Bajla Węgier in Poland. Her parents were Chajm Węgier, a baker, and Chaja Zygelbaum. She had three brothers and one sister.
During World War II, when Germany invaded France, Bella's mother and some of her siblings moved to southern France. Bella decided to stay in Paris with her brother Robert to continue her education.
Because they were Polish, Bella and Robert were held by the Vichy government. Bella was fifteen years old at the time. Her brother Robert sadly died in a concentration camp. Bella later said that she had many difficult experiences during this time.
In 1943, after three years, Bella's mother was able to get her released. Bella then went to live with her mother near Toulouse. She said they always felt at risk because they were Polish.
On October 7, 1950, Bella married a businessman named Alban Cavalcade. They traveled together to Monaco.
Meeting Darryl and Virginia Zanuck
While in the French Riviera, Bella met Virginia and Darryl Zanuck. Darryl Zanuck was a very important person in the movie industry. At this time, Bella was separated from her husband.
The Zanucks invited Bella to come to Los Angeles. In 1952, she moved there and lived with them. She even shared a room with the Zanucks' second daughter, Susan.
Bella changed her name to Bella Darvi. The name "Darvi" was made by combining parts of Darryl and Virginia's first names. She also started taking acting lessons to prepare for a career in movies.
In February 1953, it was announced that Bella had signed a long-term contract with 20th Century Fox, a major movie studio. People in Hollywood, like writer Hedda Hopper, thought she was a very exciting new talent.
Hollywood Movies
Bella Darvi's first movie role was in Hell and High Water (1954). She played the main character's love interest. Filming began in April 1953. She even got a small injury during filming when she was knocked over.
Some people in Hollywood thought Bella would be a big star in 1954. She was named one of the "stars of tomorrow" by the International Press of Hollywood.
When Hell and High Water came out, some critics thought she needed more acting experience.
After that, she made The Egyptian from February to June 1954. Then, Fox announced she would be in The Racers. The Racers started filming in September 1954. In November 1954, Bella left Hollywood and went back to Paris.
Darryl Zanuck later said that he had tried very hard to make Bella a star.
European Movies and Later Career
After her movies in Hollywood, Bella Darvi made several films in France and Italy. These included Je suis un sentimental (1955) and I'll Get Back to Kandara (1956).
Bella briefly returned to Hollywood to appear on TV. She was in an episode of the show Conflict called "Blind Drop: Warsaw."
In 1958, she appeared in films like Sinners of Paris (Rafles sur la ville), The Mask of the Gorilla, and Pia of Ptolomey.
She also made The Enigma of the Folies-Bergere (1959) and Lipstick (1960).
Bella enjoyed gambling, and she continued to do so throughout her life.
In February 1959, she was in a car crash in Paris. A taxi she was riding in was hit by another car. She was in Jules' Breadwinner (1960) and The Woman of Ice (1960).
Later Life and Passing
On November 13, 1960, Bella Darvi married Claude Rouas in Las Vegas. He was a restaurant waiter. Their marriage was ended less than a year later.
She made The Roar of the Bolidi (1961) in Italy. In early 1962, she was a guest star on an episode of The Dick Powell Theatre.
Her last movie roles were in Le bourgeois gentil mec (1969) and Good Little Girls (Les Petites Filles Modèles) (1971).
Bella Darvi passed away on September 11, 1971, in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Her body was found more than a week later.
Bella Darvi's Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Hell and High Water | Denise Montel | |
| 1954 | The Egyptian | Nefer | |
| 1955 | The Racers | Nicole | |
| 1955 | Je suis un sentimental | Marianne Colas | |
| 1956 | I'll Get Back to Kandara | Pascale Barret | |
| 1958 | Rafles sur la ville | Cri Cri | |
| 1958 | Le Gorille vous salue bien | Isoline | |
| 1958 | Pia de' Tolomei | Bice | |
| 1959 | The Enigma of the Folies-Bergere | Solange | |
| 1960 | Il rossetto | Nora, madre di Silvana | |
| 1960 | Le Pain des Jules | Gina Beau Sourire | |
| 1960 | La donna di Ghiaccio | Adriana Savelli | |
| 1961 | L'Urlo dei bolidi | ||
| 1969 | Le bourgeois gentil mec | La tante | |
| 1971 | Les Petites Filles modèles | Mme de Rosbourg | English title: Good Little Girls, (final film role) |
Images for kids
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Darvi in 1954
See also
In Spanish: Bella Darvi para niños
