Ramon Novarro as a rival to Rudolph Valentino, and Ingram suggested he change his name to "Novarro." From 1923, he began to play more prominent roles. His role in "Scaramouche" (1923) brought him his first major success. In 1925, Novarro achieved his greatest success in "Ben-Hur." His revealing costumes caused a sensation. He was elevated into the Hollywood elite. As did many stars, Novarro engaged Sylvia of Hollywood as a therapist (although in her tell-all book, Sylvia erroneously claimed that Novarro slept in a coffin). With Valentino's death in 1926, Novarro became the screen's leading Latin actor, though ranked behind his MGM
Ramon Novarro contemporary, John Gilbert, as a leading man. He was popular as a swashbuckler in action roles and considered one of the great romantic lead actors of his day. Novarro appeared with Norma Shearer in "The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg" (1927) and with Joan Crawford in "Across to Singapore" (1928). He made his first talking film, starring as a singing French soldier, in "Devil-May-Care" (1929). He starred with Dorothy Janis in "The Pagan" (1929), with Greta Garbo in "Mata Hari" (1931), with Myrna Loy in "The Barbarian" (1933) and opposite Lupe Vélez in "Laughing Boy" (1934). When his contract with