Turhan Bey
ActingAbout Turhan Bey
Turhan Bey (born Turhan Gilbert Selahattin Sahultavy; 30 March 1922 – 30 September 2012) was an Austrian-born actor of Turkish and Czech Jewish origin. Turhan was active in Hollywood from 1941 to 1953. He was dubbed "The Turkish Delight" by his fans. After his return to Austria, he pursued careers as a photographer and stage director. Returning to Hollywood after a 40-year hiatus, he made several guest appearances in 1990s television series including SeaQuest DSV, Murder, She Wrote and Babylon 5 as well as a number of films. After retiring he appeared in a number of documentaries, including a German-language documentary on his life.
Turhan Bey Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Turhan Bey reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 45 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Turhan Bey's work falls within the Adventure genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 31% of Turhan Bey's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Drums of the Congo, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Turhan Bey Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Turhan Bey's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Turhan Bey has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | The Stendhal Syndrome or My Dinner with Turhan Bey | Himself | Flop | Similar → |
| 2015 | Johnny Walker | Alexis (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | Hollywood Chinese | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 2000 | The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1998 | Universal Horror | Self - Interviewee | Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Virtual Combat | Dr. Cameron | Flop | Similar → |
| 1995 | The Skateboard Kid II | Zeno | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | Healer | Igor Vostovich | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | Possessed by the Night | Calvin | Flop | Similar → |
| 1953 | Prisoners of the Casbah | Ahmed | Average | Similar → |
| 1949 | Song of India | Gopal | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | Parole, Inc. | Barney Rodescu | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | The Amazing Mr. X | Alexis | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Adventures of Casanova | Lorenzo | Average | Similar → |
| 1947 | Out of the Blue | David Gelleo | Average | Similar → |
| 1946 | Night in Paradise | Aesop | Hit | Similar → |
| 1945 | Sudan | Herua | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | Frisco Sal | Dude Forante | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Bowery to Broadway | Ted Barrie | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | The Climax | Franz Munzer | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Dragon Seed | Lao Er Tan - Middle Son | Hit | Similar → |
| 1944 | Follow the Boys | Turhan Bey (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves | Jamiel | Average | Similar → |
| 1944 | Twenty Years After | (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Mad Ghoul | Eric Iverson | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Crazy House | Cameo Appearance | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Background to Danger | Hassan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | Captive Wild Woman | End Narrator (voice)(uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1943 | White Savage | Tamara | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Adventures of Smilin' Jack | Kageyama [Chs. 1-5, 12-13] | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Arabian Nights | Captain of the Guard | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Mummy's Tomb | Mehemet Bey | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Destination Unknown | Captain Muto | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Dead End Kids Go To War | Araka | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Drums of the Congo | Juma, Henchman | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Junior G-Men of the Air | Henchman Araka | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | Danger in the Pacific | Tagani | Hit | Similar → |
| 1942 | The Falcon Takes Over | Jules Amthor (Uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Unseen Enemy | Ito | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Bombay Clipper | Captain Chundra | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Gay Falcon | Manuel Retana | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Burma Convoy | Mr. Yuchau | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Raiders of the Desert | Hassen Mohammed | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Footsteps in the Dark | Ahmed | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Shadows on the Stairs | Ram Singh | Flop | Similar → |
Turhan Bey - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Turhan Bey?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Turhan Bey is "Drums of the Congo" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Turhan Bey acted in?
Turhan Bey has been featured in at least 45 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Turhan Bey?
Other notable films include "Bowery to Broadway", "Raiders of the Desert", and "Twenty Years After".