TOP 100 POLISH ACTORS AND ACTRESSES
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- Roman Wilhelmi was born on 6 June 1936 in Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland. He was an actor, known for The Moth (1980), Hotel Pacific (1975) and The Story of Sin (1975). He died on 3 November 1991 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland.
- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Daniel Olbrychski is a renowned Polish movie and theatre actor, considered one of the greatest of his generation. He has appeared in about 180 movies and TV productions. His career took off with his role in Janusz Nasfeter's movie Ranny w lesie (1964). He has worked with popular Polish directors like Andrzej Wajda, Janusz Morgenstern, and Krzysztof Zanussi. He also starred in international productions, including movies by Volker Schlöndorff and Claude Lelouch.- Actor
- Director
Janusz Gajos is a renowned Polish movie, television, and theatre actor, as well as a pedagogue and photographer. He is a Professor of Theatre Arts and an Honorary Doctor of the National Film, Television and Theatre School in Lodz. Gajos has starred in numerous movies and theatrical plays, including Krzysztof Kieslowski's Three Colors: White (1994) and Wojciech Smarzowski's Clergy (2018).- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Andrzej Seweryn was born on 25 April 1946 in Heilbronn, Germany. He is an actor and director, known for Schindler's List (1993), The Last Family (2016) and Prymas. Trzy lata z tysiaca (2000). He has been married to Katarzyna Kubacka since 30 August 2015. He was previously married to Mireille Maalouf, Laurence Bourdil, Krystyna Janda and Boguslawa Blajfer.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Tadeusz Lomnicki began his education in the theatre arts in 1945 when he enrolled in the Theatre Studio at the Stary Teatr in Krakow. In 1946 he spent a season at the Teatr Slaski in Katowice. He returned to Krakow in 1947, appearing on stage at both the Teatr im. Juliusza Slowackiego and the Stary Teatr. In 1949 he left for Warsaw, where he signed on with the Teatr Wspolczesny. Lomnicki would remain there until 1974, though during this period he performed occasionally at the National Theatre in Warsaw. He became a member of the Communist Party in 1951; during his initial years in Warsaw he also studied stage direction at the State Higher School of Theatre in Warsaw. He was awarded a directing degree in 1956. In 1970, he became the rector of the theatre school in Warsaw, retaining this position until 1981. In 1975, Lomnicki was elected a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party. He was trusted by those in power at that time and received an opportunity to create his own theatre. His initiative lead to the creation in 1976 of the Teatr na Woli, which he headed until his resignation in 1981. At around the time he left the theatre, two days after Martial Law was declared in Poland, he handed in his Communist Party membership card. That same year he joined Warsaw's Teatr Polski, and in 1983/84 was an actor at the Teatr Studio in Warsaw. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he was not linked to any institutional theatre, instead making numerous guest appearances at a number of Warsaw theatres.
He had dreamed of playing the part of King Lear for a long time before he finally succeeded in mounting a production and going into rehearsal. He first asked noted translator and poet Stanislaw Baranczak to produce a new translation of the play. The translation in hand, he approached a number of directors about working with him on the production. Among those who turned him down at the time was Andrzej Wajda. Ultimately, Eugeniusz Korin agreed to direct the production at Poznan's Teatr Nowy. One week before the premiere, on February 22, 1992, Tadeusz Lomnicki passed away while rehearsing.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Jerzy Stuhr is a Polish actor, director, and writer. He completed his education in Polish Philology at the Jagiellonian University and then graduated from the National Academy of Theatre Arts in Krakow. Stuhr's acting career began in the theaters in Krakow, where he performed in plays such as "Noc listopadowa" and "Biesy". His movie career includes notable roles in Camera Buff (1979), Sexmission (1984), and Persona non grata (2005). He also directed movies like Spis cudzoloznic (1994) and Love Stories (1997). In addition to his acting and directing career, Stuhr has also made significant contributions to academia. He served as the rector of the National Academy of Theatre Arts in Krakow from 1990-1996 and 2002-2008. He was awarded the title of Professor of Theatrical Arts in 1994 and received an honorary doctorate from the University of Silesia in Katowice in 2007.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Wojciech Pszoniak was born on 2 May 1942 in Lwów, Lwowskie, Poland [now Lviv, Ukraine]. He was an actor and director, known for Danton (1983), The Promised Land (1975) and Korczak (1990). He was married to Barbara. He died on 19 October 2020 in Warsaw, Poland.- Won international fame with the leading role of Maciek Chelmicki in Andrzej Wajda's Ashes and Diamonds (1958). He created a character which was imitated not only in Poland; often compared with James Dean.
Graduated from the Higher State School of Acting in Cracow; also studied journalism. From 1953 to 1960 worked with Wybrzeze Theatre, Bim-Bom Student Theatre and Teatr Rozmow (all in Gdansk). From 1961 to 1967 acted and directed in Theatre Ateneum in Warsaw, Poland.
Major leading roles: Kostek in Wajda's A Generation (1955) ("Generation"), Maciek Chelmicki in Wajda's Ashes and Diamonds (1958), Jacek in Janusz Morgenstern's A demain (1961) ("See You Tomorrow", co-scr.), Edmund in Wajda's Innocent Sorcerers (1960) ("Innocent Sorcerers"), Wiktor Rawicz in Wojciech Has's Jak byc kochana (1963) ("How to Be Loved"), Alfons Van Worden in Has's The Saragossa Manuscript (1965), trainer Janczak in Aleksander Scibor-Rylski's Jutro Meksyk (1966) ("Mexico Tomorrow"), Rodecki in Scibor-Rylski's Morderca zostawia slad (1967) ("The Killer Leaves a Trace"). - Actor
- Director
Marek Kondrat was born on 18 October 1950 in Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland. He is an actor and director, known for Day of the Wacko (2002), Prawo ojca (1999) and Wszyscy jestesmy Chrystusami (2006). He has been married to Antonina Turnau since 19 September 2015. He was previously married to Ilona Ludgarda Gagajek.- Gustaw Holoubek was born on April 21, 1923. He was a Polish actor, director, member of the Polish Sejm, and a senator. Holoubek participated in the September Campaign and was a prisoner of war during the Nazi German Occupation of Poland. His father was a Czech immigrant who settled in Poland after the First World War, and his mother was Polish. Holoubek had his first role as an actor in 1947, thus beginning his lifelong career in theatre and film in Poland and abroad. His political career began in 1976, when he was elected to the Sejm, the lower house of the Polish Parliament. He was re-elected in 1980, but resigned in 1981 when martial law was declared. In 1989, he was elected to the Senate, the upper house. That same year, he took a position as a professor at the Academy of Theatre in Warsaw. Holoubek was a recipient of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Knight's Cross, Commander's Cross with Star, Grand Cross). He was married to Magdalena Zawadzka, Danuta Kwiatkowska and Maria Wachowiak. He died on March 6, 2008 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Boguslaw Linda is a Polish actor, director, and writer. He graduated from the National Academy of Theatre Arts in Krakow and co-founded the Warsaw Film School. Linda's acting career took off with his first major role as Gryziak in the movie Fever (1981). He gained popularity for his roles in movies such as Psy (1992) and Tato (1995).- Actor
- Soundtrack
Jan Frycz was born on 15 May 1954 in Kraków, Malopolskie, Poland. He is an actor, known for Pornografia (2003), The Welts (2004) and 25 Years of Innocence (2020).- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Borys Szyc, a multi-talented figure in the Polish entertainment scene, is best known for his work as a movie and theatre actor. After performing in a high school theatrical play based on Slawomir Mrozek's "Serenade", he decided to dedicate himself to acting. He graduated the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw. His performances in movies such as Vinci (2004), Testosteron (2007), and The Mole (2011), have earned him widespread recognition. In addition to acting, Szyc has showcased his musical talent by releasing a single with Justyna Steczkowska and his debut album "Feelin' Good" in 2008. He also demonstrates his entrepreneurial spirit by owning a restaurant in Warsaw. His diverse talents truly set him apart in the industry.- Tadeusz Fijewski was born on 14 July 1911 in Warsaw, Poland, Russian Empire [now Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland]. He was an actor, known for Lalka (1968), District Attorney (1933) and Mocny czlowiek (1929). He was married to Helena Makowska. He died on 12 November 1978 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland.
- Actor
- Director
Wojciech Pokora was born on 2 October 1934 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland. He was an actor and director, known for Rozrywka po staropolsku (1985), Lalka (1978) and Palace Hotel (1977). He was married to Hanna Pokora. He died on 4 February 2018 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland.- Actor
- Writer
Bogumil Kobiela was born on 31 May 1931 in Katowice, Slaskie, Poland. He was an actor and writer, known for Lalka (1968), Goodbye, See You Tomorrow (1960) and Przeprowadzka (1982). He was married to Malgorzata Nowakowska. He died on 10 July 1969 in Gdansk, Pomorskie, Poland.- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Cezary Pazura is a renowned Polish actor, director, and YouTuber. He graduated from the National Film, Television and Theatre School in Lodz. He gained popularity for his role as Wiaderny in Kroll (1991). His notable roles include performances in movies like Psy (1992), Nothing Funny (1995), Kiler (1997), Boys Don't Cry (2000), Kariera Nikosia Dyzmy (2002), and E=mc2 (2002). He's also known for his voice acting in movies dubbed in Polish.Marvelous body language in Psy- Actor
- Soundtrack
Robert Wieckiewicz was born on 30 June 1967 in Nowa Ruda, Dolnoslaskie, Poland. He is an actor, known for Walesa: Man of Hope (2013), The Coldest Game (2019) and In Darkness (2011). He is married to Natalia Adaszynska.- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Andrzej Chyra is a Polish actor and director. He graduated from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz Theatre Academy in Warsaw in 1987 and later majored in Directing at the same university in 1994. He made his movie debut in 1993 with the role of Benvoll in Sequence of Feelings (1993). His performance as Gerard Nowak in The Debt (1999) brought him recognition and he was awarded the Best Actor award at the Polish Film Festival. Other notable roles include Wszyscy jestesmy Chrystusami (2006), Katyn (2007), and Wszystko, co kocham (2009). He has also been a member of the artistic team of the New Theatre in Warsaw since 2008.- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Krystyna Janda was born on 18 December 1952 in Starachowice, Swietokrzyskie, Poland. She is an actress and director, known for Interrogation (1989), Pestka (1995) and A Few People, a Little Time (2005). She was previously married to Andrzej Seweryn and Edward Klosinski.- Maja Komorowska was born on 23 December 1937 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland. She is an actress, known for A Woman's Decision (1975), Cwal (1996) and Lawa. Opowiesc o 'Dziadach' Adama Mickiewicza (1989). She was previously married to Jerzy Hubert Tyszkiewicz.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Kalina Jedrusik was born in Czestochowa, Poland in 1931. Her parents brought her up together with two other children. In 1953 she debuted on stage and year later married famous Polish writer Stanislaw Dygat (Jezioro Bodenskie, Disneyland). Her long list of theatre work includes plays by Jaroslaw Iwaszkiewicz and Bertolt Brecht among others.
Jedrusik first appeared on screen in 1957 with the movie Eva Wants to Sleep (1958). She is mostly known for playing Joanna in comedy Lekarstwo na milosc (1966) and Lucy Zuckerowa in The Promised Land (1975). Her filmography also includes adaptations of her husband's work - Jezioro Bodenskie, Jowita and many others. Apart from her movie career she was also a talented singer. The Double Life of Véronique (1991) was her last screen appearance. She died on August 7, 1991 in Warsaw. She was 60.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Irena Kwiatkowska was born on 17 September 1912 in Warsaw, Poland, Russian Empire [now Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland]. She was an actress, known for Hello, Fred the Beard (1978), Zmiennicy (1986) and Zolnierz królowej Madagaskaru (1958). She was married to Boleslaw Kielski. She died on 3 March 2011 in Skolimów, Konstancin-Jeziorna, Mazowieckie, Poland.- Actress
- Writer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Jadwiga Baranska was born on 21 October 1935 in Lódz, Lódzkie, Poland. She is an actress and writer, known for Hrabina Cosel (1968), Nights and Days (1975) and Chopin: Desire for Love (2002). She is married to Jerzy Antczak. They have one child.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Magdalena Cielecka was born on 20 February 1972 in Myszków, Slaskie, Poland. She is an actress, known for Pokuszenie (1995), Zakochani (2000) and Venice (2010).- Actress
- Soundtrack
Stanislawa Celinska, a Polish actress and vocalist, made her theatrical debut in 1968. She graduated from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz Theatre Academy in Warsaw. Her movie debut was in Landscape After Battle (1970). She has also starred in notable movies such as Pieniadze to nie wszystko (2001) and Joanna (2010). Celinska's unique voice and interpretive skills have also led her to a successful music career.- Grazyna Szapolowska is a renowned Polish film and theatre actress. She graduated from the National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw. From 1977 until 1984, she was part of the National Theatre in Warsaw. She is best known for her role in A Short Film About Love (1988). She also portrayed Telimena in Andrzej Wajda's Pan Tadeusz (1999), an adaptation of Adam Mickiewicz's epic poem.
- Danuta Szaflarska was born on 6 February 1915 in Kosarzyska, Galicia, Austria-Hungary [now Kosarzyska, Piwniczna-Zdrój, Malopolskie, Poland]. She was an actress, known for Time to Die (2007), Diably, diably (1991) and Pozegnanie z Maria (1993). She was married to Janusz Kilanski and Jan Ekier. She died on 19 February 2017 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland.
- Jadwiga Jankowska-Cieslak was born on 15 February 1951 in Gdansk, Pomorskie, Poland. She is an actress, known for Rysa (2008), Another Way (1982) and Sam na sam (1977). She was previously married to Piotr Cieslak.
- Lucyna Winnicka was born on 14 July 1928 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland. She was an actress, known for Night Train (1959), Mother Joan of the Angels (1961) and Knights of the Teutonic Order (1960). She was married to Jerzy Kawalerowicz. She died on 22 January 2013 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Ewa Dalkowska is a Polish actress known for her work in theater, radio, and film. She completed her education in Polish studies at the University of Warsaw and later graduated from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art. She began her career at the Silesian Theater in Katowice and later joined the Powszechny Theater in Warsaw. In 2008, she became an actress at the New Theater in Warsaw. Some of her first notable roles were in the movies Nights and Days (1975) and Without Anesthesia (1978). She has also appeared in popular TV shows like Ojciec Mateusz (2008), Artysci (2016), and Television Theater (1953).- Elzbieta Czyzewska was born on 14 April 1938 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland. She was an actress, known for Damages (2007), Zona dla Australijczyka (1964) and Malzenstwo z rozsadku (1967). She was married to David Halberstam and Jerzy Skolimowski. She died on 17 June 2010 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.
- Dorota Stalinska was born on 1 June 1953 in Gdansk, Pomorskie, Poland. She is an actress, known for Krzyk (1983), Bez milosci (1980) and Moje stare (2023).
- Aleksandra Slaska was born on 4 November 1925 in Katowice, Slaskie, Poland. She was an actress, known for Spotkanie w 'Bajce' (1962), Dom na pustkowiu (1949) and Five from Barska Street (1954). She was married to Janusz Warminski. She died on 18 September 1989 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland.
- Barbara Brylska is a Polish actress who starred in films made in Poland, Russia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.
She was born on June 5, 1941, in Skotniki, near Lodz, Poland. Her early childhood was marked by the trauma of survival under the Nazi occupation of Poland during the Second World War. She made her film debut at age 15, in a small role in Kalosze szczescia (1958). She studied acting at Lodz Theatre School, then studied at Warsaw School of Theatre, Cinema and Television, graduating in 1964 as an actress.
Barbara Brylska shot to fame with her supporting role as Kama in Pharaoh (1966), an Oscar nominated period drama by director Jerzy Kawalerowicz. Then she played a supporting role as Krzysia Drohojowska in Colonel Wolodyjowski (1969), a period film by director Jerzy Hoffman. Brylska established herself as a fine actress, she was busy in East European cinema during the 60s and 70s.
In 1975 Brylska received a phone call from Moscow director Eldar Ryazanov, that forever changed her life and acting career, and brought her fame and jealousy. She brilliantly played the role of Nadia, a female lead opposite Andrey Myagkov in the cult Soviet TV movie _Ironiya sudby, ili S lyogkim parom! (1975) (TV)_. Her performance was enhanced by collaboration with popular singer Alla Pugacheva who delivered enchanting rendition of love songs for Brylska's character. In 1976 Brylska was elected the most popular actress in Russia according to several polls, she also won the State Prize of the USSR (1977).
At the same time Brylska experienced ostracism in her own country, Poland, where she was criticized for her acceptance of the state Prize of the USSR. However, Brylska was critical about the rigid political and cultural atmosphere in the Soviet Union. She put her popularity at risk for saying some tough truth about the Soviet regime, albeit the wide Russian audiences were sympathizing with her criticism and understanding of how people were suffering under domination of the Soviet Communist Party. Brylska stated later that she was caught in political tensions between Poland and the Soviet Union, and her success in Russia caused jealousy and was largely ignored by the film community in Poland; also the Russian cult movie did not become as popular there, because some Russian traditions did not resonate with European audiences. However, in 2000, after a long hiatus, Brylska played a supporting role in a grotesque film _Down House (2000)_, then made her stage debut in Moscow, in popular play 'Quartet' opposite Svetlana Kryuchkova among other Russian actors.
Barbara Brylska has been highly regarded for her classic noblesse, beauty, intelligence, and effortless style. She enjoyed a steady popularity with the Russian-speaking audiences mainly due to her stellar performance in _Ironiya sudby, ili S lyogkim parom! (1975) (TV)_. For two seasons from 2000-2002 she returned to the Polish audiences as Barbara Burska, a recurring character in popular Polish TV series 'Na dobre i na zle'. In 2003 she starred in a Russian comedy Casus belli (2003) by director Igor Ugolnikov. In 2006 Brylska starred as Olga Samoilova, a wealthy lady who was forced into a retirement home by her money hungry relatives, in Ukrainian comedy 'Strannoe Rozhdestvo' (aka.. Strange Christmas) by director Maksim Papernik, reuniting with her fellow actress Liya Akhedzhakova. Brylska is cast as Nadia in the upcoming sequel to her most popular film, titled 'Ironiya sudby 2', by director Timur Bekmambetov, filmed at locations in Moscow and in St. Petersburg, and scheduled for release in 2008.
Barbara Brylska has been married several times, and had a daughter, Barbara (born in 1973), and a son, Ludwig (born in 1983). Her son, Ludwig, has been studying management and economy at Warsaw School of Economics. Her daughter, Barbara, was a model in Paris. After the tragic death of her 20-year-old model daughter in a car accident, and a burglary of her apartment in Warsaw, Brylska suffered from a nervous breakdown, however she continued her acting career. Barbara Brylska is currently sharing time between her apartment in Warsaw, Poland, and her summer cottage in the village of Gulchevo, near Warsaw; she also makes regular visits to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, where she has been enjoying a steady success.Magic perfomance in Ironya Sudby - Elzbieta Starostecka was born on 6 October 1943 in Rogów, Lódzkie, Poland. She is an actress, known for Lalka (1968), Television Theater (1953) and Prom (1970). She is married to Wlodzimierz Korcz. They have two children.Beatiful in Tredowata
- Andrzej Szalawski was born on 4 December 1911 in Warsaw, Poland, Russian Empire [now Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland]. He was an actor, known for Girls of Nowolipki (1937), The Promised Land (1975) and Knights of the Teutonic Order (1960). He died on 11 October 1986 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland.Good acting in Krzyzacy
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Jacek Borkowski was born on 16 April 1959 in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland. He is an actor, known for Na dobre i na zle (1999), Blind Chance (1987) and Misja specjalna (1987).Almost perfect in Przypadek- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Arkadiusz Jakubik is a Polish actor, director, writer, and singer. He completed his studies at the National Academy of Theatre Arts in Wroclaw. Jakubik made his acting debut at the Warsaw Operetta in 1993. He is also the vocalist of the rock and roll band "Dr Misio". He is most known for his roles in the You Are God (2012), I'm a Killer (2016), and Breaking the Limits (2017).- Actor
- Soundtrack
Marian Dziedziel was born on 5 August 1947 in Golkowice, Slaskie, Poland. He is an actor, known for Wesele (2004), These Daughters of Mine (2015) and The Mole (2011).- Mariusz Dmochowski was born on 29 October 1930 in Piotrków Trybunalski, Lódzkie, Poland. He was an actor, known for Lalka (1968), Przygody pana Michala (1969) and Colonel Wolodyjowski (1969). He died on 7 August 1992 in Popowo, Wielkopolskie, Poland.Perfect acting in Lalka
- Wladyslaw Kowalski was a Polish actor and pedagogue. He graduated from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz Theatre Academy in Warsaw in 1959. His debut role was Chuch in the play "Hat Full of Rain" by Michael V. Gazzo, directed by Andrzej Wajda, at the Wybrzeze Theatre in Gdansk. He then performed on the stages of Warsaw theaters: Ateneum (1960-1974) and Powszechny (1974-2005). From 2005, he was an actor of the Gustaw Holoubek Dramatyczny Theatre in Warsaw. In the 80s, he was an academic teacher at the Aleksander Zelwerowicz Theatre Academy in Warsaw. He is known for his roles in the movies Kartka z podrózy (1984), The Double Life of Véronique (1991), and Avalon (2001).