As a young boy newly arrived in the US, Bey was introduced to Albert Einstein, as Bey's uncle was a mathematician who worked with Einstein. Bey and Einstein kept up a close friendship over the years.
Attended the Ben Bard's School of Dramatic Art in California in order to improve his English. He later enrolled at the Pasadena Playhouse where he was discovered by Warner Bros, was given the new name of Turhan Bey, and placed into films starting in 1941.
His early interest with photography earned him a place with an archaeological expedition to Tibet.
His Moslem father was a member of the Turkish Embassy in Vienna who lost his right arm in World War I. The family fled to America after Hitler's Austrian Anschluss and settled in Los Angeles.
Once seriously involved with Lana Turner, he was provoked into a fight with her ex-hubby at the time, brief 1940s actor Stephen Crane. Shortly afterward, he severed the relationship.
Son of a Turkish father and Czechoslovakian mother.
Though his "Babylon 5" (1994) character had no name other than "Centauri Emperor" when he appeared, it was later named Turhan, which is his first name.