The story of the Hungarian actress who became a tailor and was later celebrated in Hollywood

From a famous opera singer, she became a star in Hollywood, and later, the leading lady of cheap B-category movies in the States. She was such a shining star that she even received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Meanwhile, she never forgot who she was and where she came from and even raised her voice to support the revolution and uprising of 1956.

Ilona Massey (born as Ilona Hajmássy) was born on June 16, 1910, in Budapest. The family lived in poverty and barely had something to eat each day. After finishing school, she started to learn to become a sewer, and in 1927, she became a professional female tailor. She also worked at a hair salon but started to get closer to the theatre. Later, she applied to the Royal Theatre in Budapest.

“What can you do?” asked the director. “Nothing,” answered Massey. “Can you sing?” “No, I can’t.” “Can you dance?” “No, I can’t.” “Then what do you want?” “I want to become a showgirl.”

Despite her not being talented in anything at all, the theatre hired her and gave her the first roles on stage. She eventually became successful and was a pleasure to watch on stage. During one of her performances, a Hungarian photographer accidentally took a photo of her. The picture was so great that he sold it to a Hungarian newspaper and even sent it to Berlin. She became an international phenomenon later. By this time, she also debuted in the cinema in 1935 with two Austrian movies.

During this time, Louis B. Mayer, the director of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio from the United States, visited Budapest and looked for young and talented actors and actresses. He immediately set an eye on Massey, and just like in the case of Hungarian silent movie star Vilma Bánky, she was also brought to the States to start a new career.