Just from what I've read, Lugosi abandoned religion right up until the drug rehab. And, to tell you the truth, it would take something like that, a truly humbling experience, to get someone serious about faith again.
For Lugosi, he was very independent. He also didn't mind the ladies. He spend money and lived extravagantly. So a life of humility (one that is reflected in the story of Christ) just doesn't appear in Lugosi's own life until things got hard.
I love Lugosi. But in this case, being so worldly, it took a harsh and humbling experience to get him back into the faith.
That said, it is also factual that Lugosi was one of the most generous, giving people you would ever meet. This is not only true with his money, but also with his time (e.g., political events, coaching fellow actors, fans).
He was a complicated man who reflected the wide spectrum of human experience. It was felt in his performances. And that, I believe, is why Lugosi has staying power.
By the way, didn't I read somewhere, Lugosi, in his earlier days (sorry Gary if this is in your book...typing this post while my students are working on an assignment), was supposed to be a priest? Either that, or he raise/mentored by some priests. Or maybe I'm imagining this.
For Lugosi, he was very independent. He also didn't mind the ladies. He spend money and lived extravagantly. So a life of humility (one that is reflected in the story of Christ) just doesn't appear in Lugosi's own life until things got hard.
I love Lugosi. But in this case, being so worldly, it took a harsh and humbling experience to get him back into the faith.
That said, it is also factual that Lugosi was one of the most generous, giving people you would ever meet. This is not only true with his money, but also with his time (e.g., political events, coaching fellow actors, fans).
He was a complicated man who reflected the wide spectrum of human experience. It was felt in his performances. And that, I believe, is why Lugosi has staying power.
By the way, didn't I read somewhere, Lugosi, in his earlier days (sorry Gary if this is in your book...typing this post while my students are working on an assignment), was supposed to be a priest? Either that, or he raise/mentored by some priests. Or maybe I'm imagining this.
