Steel Notes Magazine February 2017 | Page 44

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RV : At the age of eighteen I boarded a ship headed to America landing at Ellis Island on December 23rd , 1913 . After several odd jobs , I landed a spot as a taxi dancer at Maxim ' s , in New York City , teaching the tango to rich society ladies . I met actor Norman Kerry who suggested that I go to Hollywood and try acting .
February 2017
Of The Sheik " that I became suddenly ill . On August 14th , 1926 I collapsed and was rushed to the hospital . I was operated on for acute appendicitis and perforated gastric ulcers . Unfortunately , antibiotics had not been discovered yet and infection set in . Around 8:00 AM , on the morning of August 23rd , I lapsed into a coma . I died at 12:10 PM on Monday August 23rd , 1926 .
MBW : Rudy ???
Eleanor : ( sobbing and holding her heart ) He ' s gone ... but oh ... what a night
MBW : Very interesting ... That ' s exactly what I did when I got out of school ... What was Hollywood like when you first got there ???
RV : I found work as an extra in movies and during a bit part in 1919 ' s " Eyes Of Youth " was discovered by screenwriter June Mathis who chose me for the lead ( Julio ) in her screenplay " The Four Horsemen Of The Apocalypse " ( during this time my mother died ). This led to my starring in " The Sheik ", 1921 . And soon I was called " The Worlds Greatest Lover !"
MBW ; How did becoming " The World ' s Greatest Lover " affect your life ???
RV : My career picked up from there and I starred in several movies .
MBW : Would you mind telling us about the romantic status of " The World ' s Greatest Lover " ???
RV : I married and divorced twice . First to actress Jean Acker ( remaining friends til my death ) and then to Natacha Rambova ( the love of my life ). My divorce from Natacha left me with much sadness causing emotional as well as physical stress .
MBW : ... a broken heart ???
RV : It was during
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