Éva Szörényi (Born Elvira Schwáb; May 26, 1917 – December 1, 2009) was a Kossuth Prize-winning actress of the Hungarian National Theatre. Her acting career started in the early 1930s playing leading roles in over 20 motion pictures, a result of which she quickly became famous and beloved by the Hungarian people. Her voice also was heard frequently on the radio. When the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 broke out, Szörényi actively participated in the events. After the November 4, 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary she left her country with her family to escape communist persecution and settled with her husband, István Örményi, and three sons, István, Tamás and Gábor, in Los Angeles. In exile, Szörényi played an active role in the World Federation of Hungarian Freedom Fighters (WFHFF). She vowed not to visit Hungary until the last occupying Soviet soldier had left Hungary. When that happened, she returned to Hungary for the first time in 1991. Szörényi organized fund-raising events for WFHFF in the form of literary evenings, such as regular Széchenyi tea parties and others. An active member of the Hungarian Freedom Fighters, she became the president of the Remember Hungary 1956 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the revolution. Éva Szörényi won awards from the presidents of Hungary Árpád Göncz, Ferenc Mádl and László Sólyom. Awards Kossuth Prize - 1952 Meritorious Artist - 1954 Magyarország Kiváló Művésze díj - 1955 Filmography Erkel - 1952 Könnyű múzsa - 1947 Sarga Rozsa - 1941 Nagymama - 1935 Halalos tavasz - 1939 Madach - 1944 A Tanítónö - 1945 Aranyora - 1946 Uri muri - 1950 Maria nover - 1937 Egy lany elindul - 1937 Puszta princess - 1939 Tavaszi szonata - 1942 Baratsagos arcot kerek - 1936 Szeptember vegen - 1942 Szivet szivert - ? A Noszty fiu esete Toth Marival - 1938 Benedekhaz - 1944 Fuszer es csemege - 1940 Elkesett level - 1941 Leanyvari boszorkany - 1938 Jelmezbal - 1942 Archive footage A Jávor - 1987 References External links 1917 births 2009 deaths Hungarian emigrants to the United States Hungarian activists Hungarian stage actresses Hungarian film actresses People from Greater Los Angeles Artists of Merit of the Hungarian People's Republic