Paul Lukas was an American actor who is best known for his roles in Watch on the Rhine, Little Women, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Personal and Family Life
Paul Lukas was born as Pál Lukács on May 26, 1895, in Budapest, Austria-Hungary. He became a U.S. citizen in 1933 and enjoyed a successful acting career. Lukas was married twice, with his second marriage being to Annette M. Driesens until his death in 1971. His earlier marriage was to Gizella “Daisy” Benes, which lasted from 1927 until her passing in 1962.
Career Highlights
Lukas started his acting career in Hungary and moved to Hollywood in 1927. He became well-known for his stage performances and later focused mainly on films, appearing in many popular movies throughout his career. He was recognized with an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Watch on the Rhine in 1943 and later returned to stage performances in the 1950s.
Death and Legacy
Paul Lukas passed away on August 16, 1971, in Tangier, Morocco, due to heart failure. He was searching for a suitable retirement location at the time. Lukas left behind a legacy as a respected actor, with notable performances been celebrated by film enthusiasts, including a special feature on Turner Classic Movies in 2019.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea | 1954-12-23 | Prof. Pierre Arronax |
| The Lady Vanishes | 1938-10-07 | Dr. Hartz |
| Experiment Perilous | 1944-12-18 | Nicholas ‘Nick’ Bederaux |
| Lord Jim | 1965-02-15 | Stein |
| Loves of an Actress | 1928-08-18 | Dr. Durande |
| Little Women | 1933-11-24 | Prof. Bhaer |
| Watch on the Rhine | 1943-08-27 | Kurt Müller |
| Confessions of a Nazi Spy | 1939-05-06 | Dr. Kassell |
| Kim | 1950-12-07 | Lama |
| The F.B.I. | 1965-09-19 | Ambassador Korvin |