Pathetic Facts

Czech musicians died before they were 40

Here are 21 famous musicians from Czech Republic died before 40:

Karel Rachůnek

Karel Rachůnek (August 27, 1979 Zlín-September 7, 2011 Yaroslavl) was a Czech ice hockey player.

He played as a defenseman and was a member of the Czech national team. Rachůnek began his career playing for HC Zlín in the Czech Extraliga, before moving to the NHL where he played for the Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues. In 2010, he returned to the KHL, playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, where he tragically died in a plane crash along with the entire team. Rachůnek was known for his strong defensive skills and his ability to contribute on the power play. Off the ice, he was remembered as a kind and generous person who was beloved by his teammates and fans.

Read more about Karel Rachůnek on Wikipedia »

Josef Vašíček

Josef Vašíček (September 12, 1980 Havlíčkův Brod-September 7, 2011 Yaroslavl) was a Czech ice hockey player.

He began his playing career in his native Czech Republic before being drafted in the third round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes. Vašíček played with the Hurricanes for seven seasons and was a member of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2006. He also played for the Nashville Predators and the New York Islanders before returning to Europe to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Sadly, Vašíček's life was cut short when he died in a plane crash in Russia in 2011, while playing for the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team. He was just 30 years old. Vašíček was remembered not only for his on-ice contributions but also for his kindness, positive attitude, and love for his family.

Read more about Josef Vašíček on Wikipedia »

Václav Drobný

Václav Drobný (September 9, 1980 Mělník-December 28, 2012 Hradec Králové) also known as Vaclav Drobny was a Czech soccer player.

He began his youth career at Slavia Prague and later moved to Germany to play for several different clubs, including MSV Duisburg and Hansa Rostock. In 2010, he returned to the Czech Republic to play for FK Baumit Jablonec, where he helped lead the team to a third place finish in the league. However, tragically, he passed away just two years later at the age of 32 due to a heart condition. Despite his short life and career, Drobný is remembered as a talented and dedicated player, and his legacy continues to live on in Czech soccer.

Read more about Václav Drobný on Wikipedia »

Jaroslav Huleš

Jaroslav Huleš (July 2, 1974 Czech Republic-July 7, 2004) was a Czech personality.

Jaroslav Huleš was a successful Czech journalist, photographer, and writer who made a significant contribution to the Czech media industry. He started his career in journalism as a crime reporter, but he rose to fame with his coverage of the 1999 Kosovo conflict from the Albanian side. He later covered the war in Afghanistan in 2001 and the Iraq War in 2003.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Huleš wrote several acclaimed novels, including "Zatmění" (Eclipse) and "Krásná němá" (Beautiful Mute). His writing style was known for its emotional intensity and vivid imagery.

Despite his professional success, Huleš struggled with mental health issues, and his battle with depression eventually led him to take his own life in 2004. His death was widely mourned in the Czech Republic, and his contributions to journalism and literature have left a lasting impact on the country's cultural landscape.

He died in suicide.

Read more about Jaroslav Huleš on Wikipedia »

Martin Čech

Martin Čech (June 2, 1976 Havlíčkův Brod-September 6, 2007 Havlíčkův Brod) was a Czech personality.

He was a professional ice hockey player and played as a goaltender for various clubs in Czech Republic, including HC Verva Litvínov and HC Dukla Jihlava. Čech also represented Czech Republic internationally and was a part of the national team in several Ice Hockey World Championships.

In addition to his career in ice hockey, Čech was a talented musician and played drums in a local band called Medvěd 009. He was also known for his charitable contributions and often participated in events to support children with disabilities.

Tragically, Čech passed away at the age of 31 due to a heart attack while playing in a charity ice hockey game. He was mourned by many in the Czech Republic and his legacy as a talented athlete and generous individual continues to be remembered to this day.

Read more about Martin Čech on Wikipedia »

Zdeněk Kudrna

Zdeněk Kudrna (September 2, 1946 Čisovice-June 1, 1982) was a Czech personality.

He was a musician, composer, and guitarist, known for his contributions to the Czech rock and jazz scene in the 1960s and 70s. Kudrna started his career as a guitarist for several rock bands in the Czech Republic before forming his own band, the Zdeněk Kudrna Band, in 1971. His music was heavily influenced by American blues and jazz artists, and he often incorporated these genres into his original compositions.

Kudrna released several albums throughout his career, including "Zdeněk Kudrna Band," "Southern Conflict," and "Blues Shadow." He also collaborated with other Czech musicians, appearing on recordings with the group Jazz Q and musician Václav Zahradník.

In addition to his music career, Kudrna was also known for his activism during the 1968 Prague Spring movement, which aimed to reform the communist government in Czechoslovakia. He participated in protests and was briefly imprisoned for his involvement.

Kudrna's life was tragically cut short when he died in a car accident in 1982 at the age of 35. Despite his short career, he left a lasting impact on Czech music and is remembered as one of the country's foremost guitarists and composers.

Read more about Zdeněk Kudrna on Wikipedia »

Jan Marek

Jan Marek (December 31, 1979 Jindřichův Hradec-September 7, 2011 Yaroslavl) was a Czech ice hockey player.

He played as a forward and was known for his skill and speed on the ice. Marek began his professional career in the Czech Extraliga before moving on to play in leagues in Russia, Sweden, and Finland. He was a member of the Czech national team and competed in several international tournaments including the World Championships and the Olympics. Tragically, Marek was one of the players on board the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash in 2011, which resulted in his untimely death.

Read more about Jan Marek on Wikipedia »

František Brixi

František Brixi (January 2, 1732 Prague-October 14, 1771) a.k.a. Frantisek Brixi was a Czech personality.

His albums: Organ Concertos.

Read more about František Brixi on Wikipedia »

Jerome of Prague

Jerome of Prague (April 5, 1379 Prague-May 30, 1416 Konstanz) was a Czech personality.

He was a theologian, philosopher and a follower of the religious reformer Jan Hus. Jerome became an important figure in the Hussite movement and played a major role in the Czech religious reforms.

He studied at the University of Prague and later in Oxford and Cologne. After returning to Prague, he became one of the most prominent followers of Jan Hus and a vocal advocate for the ideas of the Hussite movement.

Jerome was active in spreading the movement's ideas throughout Europe and was known for his fiery speeches and debates. He was known as a skilled orator and an intellectual.

However, his involvement in the Hussite movement eventually led to his arrest and trial for heresy. He was found guilty and burned at the stake in 1416 in Konstanz, Germany.

Despite his tragic end, Jerome of Prague is remembered as a key figure in the Hussite movement and a symbol of Czech religious reform.

Read more about Jerome of Prague on Wikipedia »

Václav Beneš Třebízský

Václav Beneš Třebízský (February 27, 1849 Třebíz-June 20, 1884 Mariánské Lázně) a.k.a. Vaclav Benes Trebizsky was a Czech novelist.

He is best known for his novel "The Deputy", which was published in 1879 and became very popular among Czech readers. The book is a social and psychological study of a man who is gradually corrupted by power.

Třebízský was also a prolific journalist and literary critic. He wrote for several Czech newspapers and was known for his witty and incisive commentaries on the literary and cultural scene.

Despite his success as a writer, Třebízský struggled with poor health throughout his life. He suffered from tuberculosis and other respiratory ailments, and died at the age of 35 in a sanatorium in Mariánské Lázně.

Karel Havlíček Borovský

Karel Havlíček Borovský (October 31, 1821 Havlíčkova Borová-July 29, 1856 Prague) also known as Karel Havlicek Borovsky was a Czech journalist, writer, poet, critic, politician and publisher. He had one child, Zdenka Havlíčková.

Karel Havlíček Borovský started his career as a teacher, but soon became involved in journalism and politics. He edited and published several newspapers including "Národní noviny" which was considered a leading voice of Czech nationalism at the time. Havlíček Borovský was a strong advocate for Czech independence and against the Habsburg monarchy, which resulted in his imprisonment and exile.

As a writer, Havlíček Borovský is known for his satirical works such as "The Adventures of Mr. Brouček" and his historical novel "Král Lávra" (King Lavra), which is based on the legend of the founder of Prague. He also wrote poetry, essays and literary criticism.

Havlíček Borovský's legacy is still celebrated in the Czech Republic today, with numerous monuments and memorials dedicated to him. In 1993, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the highest civilian honor in the country.

He died in tuberculosis.

Jaroslav Hašek

Jaroslav Hašek (April 30, 1883 Prague-January 3, 1923 Lipnice nad Sázavou) a.k.a. Jaroslav Hasek, Jaroslav Hašek or Jaroslav HaÅ¡ek was a Czech writer, novelist, soldier and journalist. He had one child, Richard Hašek.

Despite his short life, Hašek had a significant impact on Czech literature and cultural history. He is best known for his satirical novel, "The Good Soldier Švejk," which follows the adventures of an absurd and bumbling soldier during World War I. The novel has been translated into many languages and has been adapted for film, stage, and television.

Prior to his literary career, Hašek was a member of the Austro-Hungarian army and later joined the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. He was a prolific writer, contributing to various newspapers and magazines. Hašek was also known for his sense of humor and his love of pranks and alcohol.

Today, Hašek is remembered as one of the most important Czech writers of the 20th century, and his legacy continues to inspire writers and readers around the world.

He died in heart failure.

Read more about Jaroslav Hašek on Wikipedia »

Lev Blatný

Lev Blatný (April 11, 1894 Brno-June 21, 1930) also known as Lev Blatny was a Czech writer. He had one child, Ivan Blatný.

Lev Blatný was best known for his poetry and prose, which often dealt with themes of love, loss, and the human experience. He was also a translator, translating works from English, French and Polish into Czech. Additionally, he was a member of the avant-garde group of poets known as Devětsil, which was part of the broader Czech artistic movement of the 1920s and 1930s. Despite his contributions to Czech literature, Blatný's life was cut tragically short when he died by suicide at the age of 36.

Read more about Lev Blatný on Wikipedia »

Rudolf Margolius

Rudolf Margolius (August 31, 1913 Prague-December 3, 1952 Prague) was a Czech politician.

Margolius was born into a Jewish family and later became a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. He served as the deputy minister of foreign trade in the government of Czechoslovakia from 1945 to 1948. In 1952, Margolius was one of 14 defendants in the Slánský trial, a Stalinist show trial which accused him of being part of a "Zionist-Titoist conspiracy" to overthrow the government. He was found guilty and executed by hanging. In 1963, after the fall of the Stalinist regime, Margolius was posthumously rehabilitated and his conviction was officially overturned.

Read more about Rudolf Margolius on Wikipedia »

Jan Jakub Kotík

Jan Jakub Kotík (October 22, 1972-December 13, 2007) also known as Jan Kotik, Kotik, Jan or Jan Kotík was a Czech personality.

He was a contemporary artist and musician, known for his experimental and avant-garde style. Kotík was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia (now Czech Republic) and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. He was a member of the art collective "Rosenbaum's House" in the early 1990s and later co-founded the art collective "Guma Guar" in 1997.

Kotík's work explored themes of identity, communication, and the relationship between sound and image. He was also a prolific musician, playing in several experimental bands and collaborating with other artists. He released several albums under his own name and worked with musicians such as Jim O'Rourke and Otomo Yoshihide.

Sadly, Kotík passed away at the age of 35 due to a sudden heart condition in 2007, but his artistic legacy continues to inspire and influence many in the contemporary art and music community.

Read more about Jan Jakub Kotík on Wikipedia »

Hana Vejvodová

Hana Vejvodová (April 5, 1963-April 5, 1994) was a Czech personality.

She was best known for her career as a model and actress. Vejvodová began her modeling career in the 1980s and quickly became a popular face in Czech fashion magazines. She then transitioned to acting, appearing in several films and television shows in the Czech Republic.

Despite her success, Vejvodová's life was cut tragically short when she died in a car accident on her 31st birthday. Her passing was mourned by fans and fellow celebrities alike, who remembered her as a talented and vibrant presence in the Czech entertainment industry.

Read more about Hana Vejvodová on Wikipedia »

Miroslava

Miroslava (February 26, 1925 Prague-March 9, 1955 Mexico City) a.k.a. Miros, Miroslava Sternova, Miros-mango, Miroslava Šternová or Miroslava Stern was a Czech actor.

Miroslava started her acting career in Czechoslovakia, but after World War II, she moved to Mexico and became a well-known actress in the Mexican film industry. Her breakthrough role was in the film "La Vida No Vale Nada" (1954), where she played opposite Mexican actor Pedro Infante. Miroslava appeared in more than 20 films during her short career and was considered one of the most beautiful actresses of her time. Despite her success, Miroslava struggled with personal issues and tragically took her own life at the age of 30. Her death shocked the Mexican film industry and she is still remembered as an icon of Mexican cinema.

She died as a result of suicide.

Read more about Miroslava on Wikipedia »

Petr Svojtka

Petr Svojtka (September 25, 1946 Prague-May 9, 1982 Prague) also known as Peter Svojtka was a Czech actor. His children are Petr Svojtka, Jan Svojtka and Jana Janěková.

Petr Svojtka began his acting career on stage, performing with the National Theatre in Prague. He later transitioned to film and television, where he quickly became a household name in Czechoslovakia. Some of his notable roles include the character of Thomas Hlava in the 1977 film "My Sweet Little Village" and Martin Komorous in the TV series "The End of the Old Times".

Despite his success, Svojtka was known for being private and keeping his personal life out of the public eye. He was married twice, first to Dana Švandová and later to actress Věra Galatíková, who he had two children with. His son Petr Svojtka also followed in his father's footsteps to become an actor.

Tragically, Svojtka's life was cut short when he died at the age of 35 as a result of a motorcycle accident in Prague. His death was a shock to the Czechoslovakian film and theatre community, and he is still remembered fondly for his contributions to the industry.

He died as a result of accident.

Read more about Petr Svojtka on Wikipedia »

Bohuslav Ceplecha

Bohuslav Ceplecha (May 6, 1977-July 14, 2012) was a Czech personality.

Bohuslav Ceplecha was primarily known as a Czech journalist, author, and sports commentator. He began his career in journalism in 1996 and worked for various media outlets including Cesky Rozhlas and Television Nova. He covered a wide range of topics throughout his career, including sports, politics, and current events.

Ceplecha was also known for his love of sports and was a well-respected commentator in the Czech Republic. He covered many different sports, including football, ice hockey, and tennis, and was known for his insightful commentary and passionate delivery.

In addition to his work in journalism and sports commentary, Ceplecha was also a prolific author. He wrote several books, including "The Secret Life of Sportscasters" and "Famous Sports Commentators," which were well-received by both audiences and critics alike.

Tragically, Bohuslav Ceplecha passed away on July 14, 2012 at the age of 35. His untimely death was mourned throughout the Czech Republic, and he is remembered today as a talented and dedicated journalist and sports commentator.

Read more about Bohuslav Ceplecha on Wikipedia »

Jiří Schelinger

Jiří Schelinger (March 6, 1951 Bousov-April 13, 1981 Bratislava) also known as Schelinger, Jiří was a Czech musician and singer.

His albums: Holubí dům - Rock Komplet 1972-76, Jsem svítání, Singly 1972-1978, Holubí dům, Holubi Dum, , , and . Genres he performed: Hard rock and Pop rock.

Read more about Jiří Schelinger on Wikipedia »

Vladimír Padrůněk

Vladimír Padrůněk (February 17, 1952 Prague-August 30, 1991) was a Czech musician.

He was best known for his work as the bassist for the popular Czech rock band, Olympic. Padrůněk joined the band in 1973 and played with them for the next 18 years, until his untimely death at the age of 39. During his time with Olympic, Padrůněk helped to create some of the band's biggest hits, including "Dej mi víc své lásky" and "Jasná zpráva". He was widely regarded as one of the best bassists in Czech music history and was known for his powerful and melodic playing style. In addition to his work with Olympic, Padrůněk also played with other notable Czech musicians and bands, including Karel Kryl and Karel Gott. His premature death was a great loss to the Czech music community, and his legacy continues to influence generations of musicians to this day.

Read more about Vladimír Padrůněk on Wikipedia »