Here are 8 famous actors from Czech Republic were born in 1931:
Ladislav Smoljak (December 9, 1931 Prague-June 6, 2010 Kladno) a.k.a. L. Smoljak was a Czech actor, film director, screenwriter and theatre director. He had one child, David Smoljak.
Smoljak was a prominent figure in the Czech film and theatre industry, known for his contributions to the renowned comedy duo "Havel and Smoljak." He co-founded the theater group "Jára Cimrman Theatre" and directed several of its plays. Smoljak also worked as a screenwriter and director for Czech films, including the cult classic "Lemonade Joe" and the Oscar-nominated film "My Sweet Little Village." In addition to his work in film and theatre, Smoljak was also a teacher at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Despite his passing in 2010, Smoljak's legacy lives on through his many contributions to the arts in the Czech Republic.
In his early years, Smoljak studied at the Faculty of Medicine of the Charles University in Prague. However, he dropped out of medical school to pursue his passion for acting and theatre. He began his career as an actor in the 1950s, performing in various theatres in Prague. In the 1960s, he formed a partnership with the renowned playwright and political dissident Vaclav Havel, with whom he wrote and acted in several plays, such as "The Memorandum" and "The Increased Difficulty of Concentration."
Aside from his work in theatre and film, Smoljak was also a prominent public figure and activist during the Velvet Revolution. He participated in the anti-communist protests and advocated for democratic reform in the country. In recognition of his contributions to Czech culture and society, Smoljak received numerous awards, including the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the highest civilian honor in the Czech Republic.
Throughout his career, Ladislav Smoljak was known for his comedic skills and his ability to bring laughter to audiences through his performances. He directed and acted in several comedy films, including "Marecek, Pass Me the Pen!" and "How to Drown Dr. Mracek, the Lawyer." He was also the co-creator and director of the popular television series "Hospital at the End of the City."
As a teacher at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Smoljak was known for his dedication to his students and his passion for teaching. He mentored several generations of young actors and filmmakers who went on to become successful in their own right.
Smoljak was also a prolific writer, penning several books and articles on theatre, film, and society. He was a frequent contributor to various newspapers and magazines, and his writings often reflected his social and political beliefs.
Overall, Ladislav Smoljak was a multifaceted and beloved figure in the Czech entertainment industry and beyond. His contributions to theatre, film, and society have made a lasting impact in the Czech Republic and continue to inspire future generations.
Jiří Suchý (October 1, 1931 Pilsen-) also known as Suchý, Jiří is a Czech actor, screenwriter, film score composer and composer.
He is perhaps best known for his extensive work as a songwriter and playwright, co-founding the Semafor Theatre in Prague in 1959, which became a hub for Czechoslovakian pop music and culture during the 1960s. Some of his most famous works include the musicals "Jealousy and Medicine" and "The Small Talk of the Big Littles". In addition to his work in theater, he has also acted in a number of films and television shows, including "The Firemen's Ball" and "Three Wishes for Cinderella". Throughout his career, Suchý has been recognized for his contributions to Czech culture, receiving numerous awards, including the Czech Lion for his lifetime achievements in the arts in 2001.
Suchý began his career as a songwriter and performer in the 1950s, and quickly gained popularity in Czechoslovakia. He formed a successful partnership with songwriter Jiří Šlitr, resulting in many hit songs and musicals. The duo's work helped establish the Semafor Theatre as a leading cultural institution in Prague, and their productions were known for their irreverent humor and social commentary. Suchý continued to work at the Semafor Theatre for many years, even after Šlitr's death in 1969.
In addition to his theater work, Suchý was also a prolific film score composer, writing music for more than 20 movies. His most famous film score is likely his work on "Three Wishes for Cinderella", a beloved Czechoslovakian fairy tale film. Alongside his artistic accomplishments, Suchý has also been active in politics, serving as a member of the Czech Parliament from 1992 to 1996.
Despite his success, Suchý has remained committed to promoting Czech culture and supporting emerging artists. In addition to continuing to perform and create new work, he has established a foundation to provide financial support and mentorship to young Czech artists.
Suchý's influence on Czech culture has been significant, with many of his songs and productions becoming classics of the country's pop culture. His legacy has also extended beyond the borders of his home country, with his work being recognized and celebrated internationally. Aside from awards given in Czech Republic, he has received several honors abroad, including the French Legion of Honour.
Despite being in his nineties, Suchý remains active and engaged in the arts scene in Czech Republic, and is widely regarded as one of the country's greatest living artists. His impact on Czech theater, music, and film has been long-lasting and profound, and he continues to inspire new generations of artists to this day.
Stanislav Fiser (December 14, 1931 Hořice-) is a Czech actor.
He graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague in 1954 and started his career in the National Theatre in Prague. Fiser is particularly well-known for his work in Czech and European cinema. Among his most notable performances are his roles in the films "Marketa Lazarova" and "The Cremator." He has won several awards for his acting, including the Czech Lion for Best Actor in a leading role for the film "Loners" in 2001. In addition to his acting career, Fiser has also worked as a director in the theatre.
He has collaborated with notable directors such as Jiří Menzel, who directed Fiser in the film "Closely Watched Trains." Fiser has also appeared in international productions, including the Italian film "The Garden of the Finzi-Continis," which won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1971. In addition to his film work, Fiser has also appeared in numerous television productions, including the popular Czech crime drama "Musíme si pomáhat." He is considered one of the most respected actors in Czech cinema and has been honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Czech Lion Awards. Fiser continues to act and direct, and his contributions to Czech theatre and film have earned him a place as a beloved figure in Czech culture.
Fiser was born in Hořice, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic) in 1931. He grew up in a family of artists - his father was a painter, and his mother was a pianist. Fiser's interest in acting developed early on, and he became involved with local theatre groups as a teenager. After completing his studies at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Fiser began his professional acting career at the National Theatre in Prague. In addition to his work on stage, Fiser also appeared in films and television shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
Despite the success he achieved in his career, Fiser faced numerous challenges during his life, including the period of political repression in Czechoslovakia after the Soviet invasion in 1968. Fiser was one of many artists and intellectuals targeted by the regime for his dissenting views, and his career suffered as a result. However, he continued to work in theatre and film throughout this difficult period, and his talent and dedication ensured that he remained a highly-regarded figure in Czech culture.
Fiser's work in cinema and theatre has had a profound impact on Czech culture and has earned him numerous honors and accolades throughout his career. In addition to his Czech Lion award and lifetime achievement award, he has also been recognized by the Czech Ministry of Culture for his contributions to Czech theatre. Today, Fiser remains an active performer and director, and his legacy as a trailblazer in Czech cinema is secure.
Vlastimil Canek (March 7, 1931 Brno-) a.k.a. V. Canek is a Czech actor.
He started his acting career in the Czech National Theater and later became a prominent figure in the Czech film industry. Some of his notable films include "The Fabulous Baron Munchausen," "The Firemen's Ball," and "The Cremator." Besides acting, Vlastimil Canek was also involved in dubbing foreign films in Czech. He dubbed the voices of famous actors such as Charles Bronson and Bud Spencer. In addition to his acting career, Canek is also known for his work as a visual artist, and his works have been exhibited in various galleries and museums in Europe. Later in his life, Canek worked on preserving the cultural heritage of traditional Czech folk songs, and he was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Czech Republic in recognition of his efforts.
Vlastimil Canek was born in 1931 in Brno, Czechoslovakia. He graduated from the Brno Conservatory of Music and Drama before beginning his acting career at the Czech National Theater. Canek soon became a prominent figure in the Czech film industry, appearing in over 60 films throughout his career.
In addition to his acting and dubbing work, Canek was also an accomplished visual artist. He was heavily influenced by Czech avant-garde and Surrealist art, and his works often featured elements of both. Canek's paintings, drawings and collages were exhibited in galleries and museums throughout Europe.
Later in life, Canek took an interest in traditional Czech folk songs, and he worked to preserve the cultural heritage of these songs. He researched and recorded traditional folk songs, and his efforts were recognized with the Medal of Merit by the Czech Republic.
Vlastimil Canek passed away on June 16, 2017, at the age of 86.
Throughout his career, Vlastimil Canek was known for his versatility and ability to play a wide range of characters. He was particularly skilled at playing comedic roles, and his performances in films such as "The Firemen's Ball" and "Lemonade Joe" have become iconic in Czech cinema. In addition to his work in film and theater, Canek was also a familiar face on Czech television, appearing in numerous programs and series over the years.
Canek's legacy as an artist and cultural figure in the Czech Republic continues to be celebrated today. His paintings and drawings are still exhibited in galleries and museums, and his contributions to preserving traditional Czech folk songs are widely recognized. Canek's impact on Czech culture, both as an actor and artist, has earned him a lasting place in the country's cultural history.
Jirí Tomek (February 17, 1931 Třebíč-) otherwise known as J. Tomek is a Czech actor.
He graduated from the Conservatory of Brno in 1954 and later joined the Mahen Theatre. Over the years, Tomek has appeared in numerous Czech films, TV series, and theater productions. Some of his notable performances include his role in the film "The Cremator" (1969), and his portrayal of Pavel Zeman in the TV series "The Hospital on the Outskirts" (1977-81). In addition to his acting career, Tomek has also worked as a director, specifically in theater productions. He has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to Czech culture, including the Thalia Award and the Order of Merit of the Czech Republic.
Tomek has also been a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous Czech-dubbed versions of foreign films and TV shows. Some of the most famous dubbing roles of his career include King Louie in "The Jungle Book" (1967) and the Narrator in "The NeverEnding Story" (1984). Besides his work in the entertainment industry, Tomek has been involved in political and social activism. He has been a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia since the 1950s, and he openly supported the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968. Despite this, he has also been an advocate for human rights and was involved in the Velvet Revolution of 1989, which led to the end of communist rule in Czechoslovakia.
Throughout his career, Jirí Tomek has been a respected and influential figure in Czech culture, particularly in the world of theater and film. In 1993, he was awarded the prestigious Thalia Award for his lifetime achievement in theater, and in 2004 he received the Order of Merit of the Czech Republic, one of the highest honors awarded by the Czech government. Despite controversy surrounding his political affiliations, Tomek remains a revered figure in Czech cinema and theater, and his contributions to the industry have been widely recognized and praised. As of 2021, J. Tomek is 90 year old and has slowed down his acting work, but he remains an active member of the Czech artistic community.
Josef Koníček (October 2, 1931 Prague-April 3, 2010 Prague) also known as Josef Konícek was a Czech actor.
He studied acting at the State Conservatory and went on to become a renowned dramatic and comedic actor in Czechoslovakia. Koníček was a lifelong member of the National Theatre in Prague, where he was known for his versatile performances in a wide range of roles. He also appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout his career. In addition to his acting work, Koníček was an accomplished painter and his artworks were featured in several exhibitions. He was awarded the Thalia Prize for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre in 2000.
During his long and illustrious career, Josef Koníček became a beloved figure in Czechoslovakia and was widely regarded as one of the country's finest actors. He worked with some of the most respected directors and writers of his time and was known for his impeccable comic timing and his ability to bring nuance and depth to even the smallest of roles. Some of his notable performances include his portrayal of Shakespeare's Falstaff, as well as his work in the plays of Anton Chekhov and Friedrich Schiller.
Apart from his work in the theatre, Koníček also made a significant contribution to film and television in the Czech Republic. He appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, and was particularly noted for his roles in the films "Three Nuts for Cinderella" and "Black Peter". He also lent his voice to several animated movies and TV series.
Outside of acting, Josef Koníček was an accomplished painter and his artwork was included in several exhibitions in the Czech Republic. According to his friends and colleagues, he was a kind and generous person who was loved by all who knew him. His passing in 2010 was met with an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow artists alike, who saw him as an icon of Czech culture and a true legend of the stage and screen.
Koníček's legacy as an actor and artist has continued long after his passing. He remains a beloved figure in Czech culture, and many of his performances are still revered today. In honor of his contributions to the arts, the Josef Koníček Award was established in 2018 to recognize excellence in Czech acting. Additionally, the Josef Koníček Scholarship for the Arts was also created to support talented young artists in their studies. Through these initiatives, Koníček's passion for the arts and his commitment to nurturing young talent continue to inspire new generations of artists in the Czech Republic and beyond.
Adolf Filip (January 8, 1931 Pardubice-June 25, 2007 Prague) also known as A. Filip was a Czech actor.
He was born in Pardubice, Czechoslovakia and studied acting at the Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Brno. Filip began his acting career in 1954 at the Divadlo Satiry in Brno, where he performed in various plays and musicals. He later moved to Prague and appeared in productions at the National Theatre, Theater in Vinohrady, and the Divadlo na Fidlovačce.
Filip was one of the most popular actors in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in many successful films and TV series. He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to many popular Czech dubbing projects.
Apart from his acting career, Filip was also an accomplished painter and illustrator. He held several exhibitions of his artwork in Prague and other cities in the Czech Republic.
Adolf Filip passed away in 2007 at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented and versatile actors in Czechoslovakian history.
One of Adolf Filip's most notable roles was in the 1969 film "The Joke," directed by Jaromil Jires. The film was banned by the Czechoslovak government shortly after its release due to its criticism of the Communist regime, but it gained international recognition in later years. Filip's performance as Ludvik, a man who becomes the target of political persecution, was highly acclaimed and is considered one of his best roles.
Filip was also recognized for his work in theater, receiving several awards during his career, including the Thalia Award in 1965 and the Alfréd Radok Award in 1975. In addition to his painting and illustrations, he also authored several books, including a memoir titled "The Life of an Actor in a Country Without a Stage".
Throughout his career, Adolf Filip remained committed to his craft and was known for his dedication and professionalism on and off the stage. His contributions to Czechoslovakian culture continue to inspire actors and artists today.
Adolf Filip was also known for his work as a children's book author and illustrator. He wrote and illustrated several popular books, including "The Secret of the Black Chest" and "The Little Fairy Tale of the Starry Sky". His illustrations were praised for their whimsical and colorful style, and his stories often contained moral lessons for young readers.
In addition to his artistic work, Filip was also a noted activist and supporter of the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which led to the overthrow of the Communist government in Czechoslovakia. He participated in several protests and rallies during this time, using his platform as an actor and public figure to advocate for political change.
Filip's legacy as a cultural icon in Czechoslovakia has been celebrated in several ways since his passing. In 2011, a documentary film titled "Adolf Filip: The Actor Without a Stage" was released, chronicling his life and career. The city of Pardubice, where he was born, also created a walking tour of sites related to Filip's life, including his childhood home and the theater where he first began acting.
Oto Ševčík (October 23, 1931 Karviná-February 25, 2003 Prague) also known as Otto Sevcík, Oto Sevcik, Ota Sevcik, O. Sevcík, Ota Sevcík, Oto Sevcík or Richard Ott was a Czech actor.
He started his career as a stage actor in the 1950s, performing in theaters across Czechoslovakia. In the 1960s, he started appearing in Czech films and quickly became a well-known face in the industry. Ševčík appeared in over 70 films throughout his career and his performances were highly acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. He was best known for his roles in the films "The End of August at the Hotel Ozone" (1967), "The Ear" (1970), and "The Garden" (1968). In addition to his acting career, Ševčík was also a successful voice artist and dubber. He lent his voice to many foreign films and television programs that were dubbed in Czech. He received several awards for his contributions to Czech cinema, including the Czech Lion Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1996 for his role in the film "The Ride." Oto Ševčík passed away in 2003 at the age of 71.
In addition to his work in film and theater, Oto Ševčík was also involved in television. He appeared in several popular Czech television series, including "The Hospital on the Outskirts," "The Sinners of Prague," and "The Galileo Affair." He was also a regular guest on various talk shows and entertainment programs.
Outside of his acting career, Ševčík was a devoted family man. He was married with three children, and was known for being a doting grandfather. He also had a passion for sports, particularly ice hockey, and was a keen supporter of his local team.
Following his death in 2003, Ševčík was remembered by his peers as a talented and dedicated actor, with a career that spanned over five decades. His contributions to Czech cinema and television continue to be celebrated and remembered by fans and fellow industry professionals alike.
Despite Oto Ševčík's success in the entertainment industry, he faced significant challenges in his personal life due to political persecution. During the 1970s, he was banned from performing in films and theaters due to his alleged dissident activities. This ban led him to work in a factory for several years, but he continued to secretly perform in underground theaters. Ševčík's commitment to his craft and his beliefs earned him the respect of his peers and audiences, and he was eventually able to return to mainstream film and theater in the 1980s. Throughout his career, he remained dedicated to using his platform to highlight social and political issues in Czechoslovakia. He was a courageous and influential figure in the country's cultural and artistic scene, and his legacy lives on to this day.