After a comprehensive education in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, music and philosophy he began his professional career as an engineer. Beside it he began to write first works as an author.
He joined the film business in 1912, first as a cinematographer and one year later as a director and screenwriter.
From 1913 he realised his first movies as a director. Many of these movies were adventure and action movies which were very popular at that time.
During the 10s Eugen Illés was also active in his home country Hungary as a movie director.
His last cinematical works came in the 20s into being.