A large crowd gathered on Monday at the Belvárosi Cemetery in Szeged to bid a final farewell to Levente Király, the Kossuth- and Jászai-prize-winning actor. Actor of the Nation, hereditary member of the National Theater of Szeged, honorary citizen of Szeged, died on the morning of July 30 at the age of 87.
Family members, friends, actors, artists, lovers of culture and politicians accompanied Levente Király on his final journey. Photo: Csaba Karnok
65 years of loyalty to Szeged
Király Levente, born Károly König Levente, was born on March 6, 1937 in Budafok as the fifth child of a large family. In her obituary, it was said that his mother, Terézia Hangyál, created a safe family nest and childhood for her son with love and warmth. His knowledgeable father, Antal König, tried to guide his youngest child towards an archeology career, but Levente was captivated by the theater. Although he applied to the College of Drama with a friend just for fun, it turned out to be fateful when he was accepted, but not his good friend. One of his teachers was Lajos Básti, at whose suggestion he changed his name from König to Király.
He graduated from college in 1959, after which he had to spend two years at a rural theater according to the regulations in force at the time. It was then that István Komor, the director at the time, invited him to Szeged. What was a compulsion at first, later became a free choice for him. He would have had many opportunities to sign a contract in the capital, but Levente Király stayed in Szeged, where he fell in love with the Tisza, the theater, and where he found love and started a family. He and his wife, Judit Novák, were happily married for 57 years, they had two children, and as a grandparent, Levente Király’s six granddaughters brightened up Levente Király’s everyday life.
He lived and worked with love
He was elected honorary citizen of his beloved city in 2007, and mayor László Botka bid farewell to the worthy artist at his funeral.
“He couldn’t work and exist without love.” He always emphasized that he is first and foremost a person and only secondarily an actor. He always gave his best, not only on stage, but also in everyday life, said the mayor.
– His name will forever be linked to Szeged and the rich history of theater in Szeged. He left a deep mark in our hearts not only with his excellent artistic performance, but also with his humanity and commitment. His life is exemplary for all of us, proving that it is worth living with loyalty and love – continued László Botka.
