Iván Petrovich(1896-1962)

Serbian actor and singer, initially trained for an engineering career in Prague, Budapest and Belgrade. Changed his mind after serving in the Serb army during World War I. Became an opera singer, chiefly performing in France and Germany during the 1920's. Already established as a star of European silent films from 1918 (he was fluent in German, English and French), he had a spell in Hollywood, acting in three films of the director Rex Ingram. His singing voice enabled him to make the transition to sound pictures and he continued to be in demand in operatic productions in Germany and Hungary during the 30's and 40's.