Nationality Hungarian Role Television Show Host Ethnicity Hungarian Spouse Judit Vago (m. 1979) | Occupation Television Host Children Peter Janos Vago Name Istvan Vago | |
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Born February 14, 1949 (age 75) ( 1949-02-14 ) Budapest, Hungary People also search for Balazs Sebestyen, Janos Galvolgyi, Judit Vago | ||
István Vágó (born as István Vágó on 14 February 1949 in Budapest, Hungary) is a Hungarian television host for the Budapest-based TV2, best known as the host of "Legyen ön is Milliomos" the Hungarian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
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Life
Vágó was born and raised in Budapest. His original profession was a chemist, but he found a job working for Medimpex import-export company. Vágó speaks at least five languages. When Vágó started his career he wanted to create a political show, but it was impossible to create one like he wanted (dealing with internal politics, analyzing decisions of the system) at the time so he ended up hosting quiz shows. Vágó has been hosting various game shows, mostly quiz shows, since the '70s. He has become one of the more popular TV personalities in Hungary. He is usually known as "The Quiz Professor" by Hungarians. Vágó hosted Millionaire for several years; after a hiatus the show got back on the air in 2007, with Vágó hosting the redesigned show once again. The second run proved less successful with an eventual cancellation in 2008.
He was the host of MTV for 22 years, then he changed for TV2, then RTL Klub. In 2009, he is the host of TV2.
Politics and views
Vágó is an anarchist atheist and skeptic, and is the former president of the Hungarian Skeptic Society.
He vocally supports the Hungarian left-wing, most notably former prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and the liberal SZDSZ party. He was present at antifascist demonstrations. Vágó spawned controversy when he campaigned vocally for Ferenc Gyurcsány and health minister Ágnes Horváth, both being very unpopular in general public. In 2014 he participates in the elections as a representative of the left wing.
Hobbies
Vágó plays the guitar since his early teens, and is the bassist of Hungarian band Favágók. He is a huge fan of The Beatles and Paul McCartney.