Lia Putti Famous former Hungarian silent film actress. Date of Birth: 10.01.1897 Country: Hungary

1. Early Life and Family
2. Acting Career
3. International Stardom
4. Career Decline and Death

Early Life and Family

Lia de Putti (born January 10, 1897) was a renowned Hungarian silent film actress. She was the fourth child of Baron Pal Putti, an Italian-born hussar officer, and Countess Lily Hollos. Lia spent her early years in Kolozsvar, Romania, where she attended a convent school.

In 1913, at the age of fifteen, Lia married Zoltan Sepessy, a local deputy governor. She became a mother to two daughters, Lucy (1914) and Judith (1916). In 1918, she left her husband and moved to Budapest.

Acting Career

In Budapest, Lia worked as an orderly while attending acting school. She made her stage debut at the Royal Orpheum revue theater and later performed at the Budapesti Szinhaz and Magyar Szinhaz. However, she struggled to achieve success until 1918, when she signed her first film contract through the patronage of Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar.

Her screen debut came in the 1918 film "The Tsar's Soldiers." After a series of minor roles, Lia left Budapest for Bucharest, where she starred in "Waves of Happiness" (1920). In the same year, she went to Berlin and appeared in "Gypsy Blood" (1920).

International Stardom

In 1924, Lia's career reached its peak. She surpassed actresses Lil Dagover and Asta Nielsen in popularity, becoming a beloved figure on the international stage. Inspired by her success, she ventured to Hollywood and appeared in Ewald Andre Dupont's "Variety" (1925).

In 1926, Lia signed with Paramount Pictures, but her debut American film, "The Sorrow of Satan" (1926), flopped at the box office. She returned to Berlin, where she suffered an accident while filming, leading to speculation of a suicide attempt. Disheartened, Lia left Germany for Hollywood.

Career Decline and Death

Lia's final film role came in "The Informer" (1929). Her career went into decline after this point. In 1931, Lia ingested a chicken bone that required surgical removal. The resulting blood infection and pneumonia proved fatal. On November 27, 1931, Lia de Putti passed away in New York at the age of thirty-four.