Turhan Bey
Biography
Turhan Bey was an Austrian-born actor who worked in Hollywood from 1941 to 1953 and later returned to the screen after a long absence. Born in Vienna, he trained at Ben Bard's School of Dramatic Art and appeared at the Pasadena Playhouse. After a Warner Brothers talent scout saw him in a stage revue, the studio signed him. His early film roles were small and sinister. At Universal he played an Egyptian follower in The Mummy's Tomb (1942) and had a supporting part in the hit Arabian Nights (1942). He took over a lead in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) and was the male romantic lead in The Climax (1944). He also appeared in Background to Danger (1943), Sudan (1945), and The Amazing Mr. X (1948). Army service interrupted his career for 18 months. In the 1990s he returned for television guest roles and films, and he appeared in documentaries about his life.
90years old at death
- Born Vienna
- Died Vienna
- Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19
Movie Career
- Films
- 11
- Career span
- 57 years1941 to 1998
Genres
First and latest
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About the name
Bey said that Bard helped come up with his stage name, telling him that "Bey" was a term of respect in Turkey and suggesting they make it Turhan Bey.
First role
Bey was studying English when a teacher asked him to take a role in a play, which led to his acting career.
A role that slipped away
MGM borrowed Bey for Dragon Seed (1944), in which he played a Chinese man alongside Katharine Hepburn and Walter Huston. As a result, Peter Coe took over his part in Gypsy Wildcat.
A role that slipped away
MGM wanted Bey for Weekend at the Waldorf, but Universal and Walter Wanger kept him for Night in Paradise, and George Zucco took the role.
A first
In 1944, exhibitors took a poll of "Stars of Tomorrow," and the results put Bey in the ninth spot on that list.
Turhan Bey movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves1944 Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Romanceas Jamiel
IMDb rating 6.31.5K votes
Most often with
Irving Reis directed two of these films, John Rawlins two. Three actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Harry Cording's page
Jon Hall's page
Maria Montez's page
George Sanders's page
George Zucco's page
Allen Jenkins's page
Irving ReisDirector, 2 films, 1941 to 1942
All films by Irving Reis
John RawlinsDirector, 2 films, 1942 to 1945
All films by John Rawlins
Also two films together8 more actors
- Andy DevineSudan (1945) and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944)
- Hans ConriedThe Falcon Takes Over (1942) and The Gay Falcon (1941)
- Jimmy ConlinAli Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) and The Gay Falcon (1941)
- Thomas GomezThe Climax (1944) and Arabian Nights (1942)
- Lynn BariThe Amazing Mr. X (1948) and The Falcon Takes Over (1942)
- William EdmundsThe Climax (1944) and Background to Danger (1943)
- Scotty BeckettAli Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) and The Climax (1944)
- Kurt KatchAli Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) and Background to Danger (1943)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.