Darvas, Julia (c. 1919–)

views updated

Darvas, Julia (c. 1919–)

Hungarian ballroom dancer and vocalist. Name variations: Julia Susslar. Born c. 1919, in Budapest, Hungary.

Used stage name Julia Darvas throughout career; immigrated to Istanbul, Turkey, as a child; appeared in numerous Turkish films, becoming known as the Turkish Shirley Temple; partnered with Nicholas Darvas in acrobatic exhibition ballroom act after WWII (c. 1946); with Nicholas, toured Europe and US, presenting their acrobatic act as half-siblings; separated from Darvas (1960); ceased working in dance, but continued to perform as vocalist in France and New York City for numerous seasons; remained in headlines for many months due to "palimony" suit against Darvas.

More From encyclopedia.com