Polish movie actors born in the year 1918
Here are 6 famous actors from Poland were born in 1918:
Benny Goldberg
Benny Goldberg (December 25, 1918 Warsaw-September 10, 2001 Los Angeles) also known as Benjamin Goldberg was a Polish actor and professional boxer.
He began his career as a boxer in the 1930s, fighting under the name "Benny the Gyp." He had moderate success in the ring but eventually decided to pursue a career in acting. He made his film debut in Poland in the late 1930s, but his career was cut short by the outbreak of World War II.
After the war, he immigrated to the United States and settled in Los Angeles, where he resumed his acting career. He appeared in numerous films and television shows over the years, often playing tough-guy roles due to his background in boxing.
Despite his success as an actor, Goldberg never forgot his roots as a boxer. He continued to train and compete well into his 60s, and he was a familiar figure at local boxing gyms and sporting events. He was also known for his philanthropic work, particularly his efforts to help at-risk youth in impoverished areas of Los Angeles.
Goldberg's acting career reached its peak in the 1970s and early 1980s. He appeared in several hit films during this time, including The Godfather (1972), Taxi Driver (1976), and Raging Bull (1980). He also had recurring roles on popular television shows such as The Sopranos and Law & Order. Despite his success, Goldberg always remained grounded and humble, never forgetting his working-class roots. He was known for his friendly demeanor and his willingness to help aspiring actors and boxers. He passed away on September 10, 2001, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy as both a successful actor and a beloved member of the Los Angeles community.
Andrzej Krasicki
Andrzej Krasicki (October 31, 1918 Tarnów-January 15, 1995 Warsaw) also known as A. Krasicki was a Polish actor.
He started his acting career in 1945 and performed in both films and theater throughout his life. Krasicki appeared in over 50 films and was widely recognized for his performances in "A Glass of Water" (1960) and "Farewells" (1958). He was also a respected stage actor, performing in theaters such as the National Theater in Warsaw and the Polish Theater in Wrocław. In addition to acting, Krasicki was also a director and screenwriter, having directed several films and written scripts for both film and television. He was a recipient of numerous awards, including the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta and the Golden Cross of Merit. Krasicki passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest actors in Polish cinema and theater history.
Krasicki was born in Tarnów, Poland, and began his career in theater during World War II, performing with underground companies. He later joined the State Dramatic Theatre in Kraków in 1945 and performed there until 1949. He then moved to Warsaw and became a member of the National Theater. As an actor, Krasicki was known for his versatility and ability to portray complex characters with depth and authenticity.
Aside from his successful acting career, Krasicki was also involved in politics, serving as a member of the Sejm (the lower house of the Polish parliament) from 1985 to 1989. He was an advocate for the arts and culture, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Andrzej Kijowski Film School in Warsaw.
Krasicki was married twice, his first wife was actress Wanda Łuczycka and his second wife was Krystyna Borowicz, a journalist. He had three children - two daughters, Barbara and Agnieszka, and a son, Jan, who also followed in his father's footsteps and became an actor.
Even after his death, Krasicki's contributions to Polish theater and cinema continue to be celebrated. A street in Warsaw has been named after him, and his work is studied and admired by aspiring actors and filmmakers in Poland and beyond.
Stanislaw Igar
Stanislaw Igar (July 14, 1918 Płock-December 29, 1987 Kraków) was a Polish actor and teacher.
During World War II, Igar was arrested and imprisoned by the Gestapo for his involvement in the Polish resistance movement. After the war, he studied acting and began his career at the Teatr Wybrzeże in Gdańsk. He went on to appear in numerous films, including "Krzyżacy" and "Człowiek z marmuru," and was a member of the Kraków-based Stary Teatr troupe. In addition to his successful acting career, Igar was also a respected acting teacher, working at the Ludwik Solski Academy of Dramatic Arts in Kraków. He was known for his holistic approach to acting, blending physicality and spirituality in his teachings.
Igar was widely regarded as one of Poland's finest actors and was praised for his naturalism and emotional range on stage and screen. In 1983, he was awarded the prestigious Medal for Merit to Culture - Gloria Artis by the Polish government for his contributions to Polish theater and film. Igar also wrote a number of plays and essays on acting and the theater and was a frequent collaborator with other noted Polish intellectuals and artists. His legacy continues to inspire generations of actors in Poland and beyond.
Peter Palitzsch
Peter Palitzsch (September 11, 1918 Zbylutów-December 18, 2004 Havelberg) was a Polish actor, film director and screenwriter.
Palitzsch, whose family moved to Germany when he was young, trained as an actor at the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Berlin. He made his stage debut in 1939, and after serving in the War, went on to become a prominent member of the German theatrical scene. He also made several notable film appearances, including in "Der Arzt von Stalingrad" (1958) and "Kreuzer Emden" (1961). He is perhaps best known, however, for his work as a director and writer, particularly in the field of avant-garde theatre. Palitzsch's productions often incorporated elements of Brechtian theory, and he was a key collaborator of Bertolt Brecht in the 1950s and 60s. He went on to direct productions around the world, including in Japan, the United States, and Argentina. In addition to his theatrical work, Palitzsch was a committed political activist, and was involved in various progressive causes throughout his life.
Palitzsch started to gain notoriety in the 1950s with his productions of classics by authors such as Shakespeare and Goethe, which he staged in innovative ways. He wasn't afraid to experiment with different forms and styles of theatre, which led to him becoming a leading figure of the avant-garde movement.
His most famous production is perhaps his staging of Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children", which premiered in Stuttgart in 1959, and toured worldwide thereafter. Palitzsch's production was notable for its minimalist approach, using few props and a blank stage to highlight the dialogue and characters. Brecht was so impressed with Palitzsch's interpretation of his play that he personally invited him to collaborate on several other productions.
Another one of Palitzsch's notable productions was his staging of Heiner Müller's "Die Hamletmaschine" at the Berliner Ensemble in 1977. Palitzsch's work on this production was praised for its striking visual impact, which included metal scaffolds, skull masks, and strobe lights.
Palitzsch was a respected teacher and mentor to numerous theatre students throughout his life, including the renowned theatre director, Peter Stein. He continued to direct productions up until his death in 2004, leaving behind a legacy of innovative and visionary theatre.
Tadeusz Gwiazdowski
Tadeusz Gwiazdowski (September 1, 1918 Duisburg-December 12, 1983 Gdynia) also known as T. Gwiazdowski or Antoni Gwiazdowski was a Polish actor.
He graduated from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz State Theatre Academy in Warsaw in 1947. Gwiazdowski began his career as a theater actor and eventually moved into film acting in the 1950s. He starred in over 30 films, including "Ewa chce spać" (1958), "Krzyżacy" (1960), and "Chłopi" (1973). He was known for his talent in portraying complex and dramatic characters. In addition to his work in film and theater, Gwiazdowski was also involved in voice-over work and provided Polish dubbing for foreign films. He was awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in 1967 for his contributions to Polish culture. Gwiazdowski passed away in 1983 in Gdynia, Poland.
Throughout his career, Tadeusz Gwiazdowski worked with some of the biggest names in Polish cinema, such as Andrzej Wajda, Tadeusz Konwicki, and Janusz Morgenstern. He was particularly renowned for his performances in war films, such as "Ostatni etap" (1948) and "Krzyżacy" (1960). In addition to his on-screen work, Gwiazdowski was also a respected acting teacher, and mentored many aspiring actors at the renowned National Film School in Łódź. He was considered one of the most influential actors of his generation, and his legacy continues to inspire young artists in Poland to this day. After his death, a theater award was established in his honor, which is still awarded annually to outstanding performers in Polish theater.
Jerzy Bielenia
Jerzy Bielenia (April 14, 1918 Minsk-June 25, 2001 Warsaw) was a Polish actor.
He is known both for his work on stage and screen, having appeared in over 50 films throughout his career. Bielenia's notable film roles include supporting roles in several classic Polish films, including "Kanal" (1957), directed by Andrzej Wajda, and "Ashes and Diamonds" (1958), also directed by Wajda. He is also remembered for his portrayals of historical figures in films such as "Bolesław Śmiały" (1976) and "Janusz Korczak" (1990). In addition to his film work, Bielenia was a prolific stage actor and director, and was one of the founders of the Współczesny Theater in Warsaw. His contributions to Polish theater were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout his career.
Bielenia was born in Minsk, Belarus, but his family soon moved to Poland, where he grew up and developed a passion for acting. He studied at the State Drama School in Łódź, and began his career in the late 1930s, performing in theaters throughout Poland.
During World War II, Bielenia was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp for his participation in the Polish resistance. After the war, he resumed his acting career and quickly became one of the most respected actors in Poland.
Bielenia was known for his ability to play a wide range of characters, from historical figures to contemporary roles. He collaborated with many of Poland's most celebrated directors, including Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Zanussi, and Jerzy Kawalerowicz.
In addition to his work as an actor and director, Bielenia was also a noted teacher, and mentored many young actors throughout his career. He continued to work in theater and film until his death in 2001.