Here are 5 famous actors from Poland were born in 1919:
Max Berliner (October 23, 1919 Warsaw-) is a Polish actor.
He was born into a Jewish family in the city of Warsaw, which was then a part of the Russian Empire. During World War II, he was imprisoned in the Warsaw Ghetto before being sent to concentration camps in Nazi Germany. After the war, he returned to Poland and began a successful acting career. He appeared in numerous films and television shows, and was known for his dramatic performances. Berliner has been honored with numerous awards for his contributions to the arts, including Poland's highest civilian honor, the Order of the White Eagle. He continues to work in the industry and is regarded as one of Poland's greatest actors.
Throughout his prolific acting career, Max Berliner made appearances in over 150 films and television series, including "The Promised Land" (1975), "The Deluge" (1974) and "Father Matthew" (1961). He frequently collaborated with renowned Polish director Andrzej Wajda, and his performance in Wajda's film "Krótki film o miłości” (1988) earned him widespread acclaim. Berliner also acted on stage, performing in productions by the National Theatre and the Dramatic Theatre in Warsaw.
In addition to his work as an actor, Berliner was a passionate advocate for the arts and served as the director of the Jewish Theatre in Warsaw. He was also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in support of Jewish culture and education.
Despite his traumatic experiences during the Holocaust, Berliner maintained a positive outlook on life and remained committed to his craft. He once remarked, "My life has been a series of miracles. One after another, my dreams have come true. Acting, which once saved my life in the ghetto, has given my life new meaning."
Throughout his life, Max Berliner remained deeply connected to his Jewish heritage and actively worked to preserve Jewish culture. He was a founding member of the Jewish Historical Institute in Warsaw and served on the board of the Museum of the History of Polish Jews. He also established a scholarship for young Jewish artists and supported various Jewish organizations and causes.Berliner's legacy as an actor and advocate for the arts has lived on through the numerous accolades he has received, including the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Medal for Merit to Culture, and the Medal for the 40th Anniversary of People's Poland. He has also been recognized with lifetime achievement awards from the Polish Film Institute and the Association of Polish Artistic Actors. Despite retiring from acting in the late 1990s, Berliner's impact on Polish cinema and theatre has endured, and his contributions continue to inspire future generations of artists.
Marc Snegoff (August 7, 1919 Warsaw-November 4, 1969 Santa Monica) also known as Mark Snegoff was a Polish actor. He had two children, Gregory Snegoff and Tony Snegoff.
Marc Snegoff was a versatile actor who worked in both Hollywood and European films. He began his career in Poland in the 1930s before fleeing to France during World War II. Snegoff made his way to Hollywood in the 1950s, where he appeared in films such as "The Sun Also Rises" and "The Big Knife." Later, he returned to Europe and had an impressive career there, working with acclaimed directors such as Luis Buñuel and Michelangelo Antonioni. In addition to his work on screen, Snegoff was an accomplished stage actor, working in both the United States and Europe. He passed away in 1969 at the age of 50.
Snegoff was born in Warsaw, Poland on August 7, 1919. He started acting in his early teens, performing in local theater productions. During the late 1930s, Snegoff appeared in several Polish films, such as "Dance Night," "Mam'zelle," and "The Robber Symphony." However, he and his family had to flee the country in 1939, as the German army invaded Poland.
While in France, Snegoff continued to work in theater and film, but the country's occupation made life difficult. He eventually made his way to the United States, where he began appearing in Hollywood films. Snegoff's first major film role was in the 1957 film "The Sun Also Rises," which was directed by Henry King and starred Tyrone Power and Ava Gardner.
After working on several American productions, Snegoff returned to Europe, where he spent much of the 1960s working on films with some of the continent's most famous directors. He appeared in the 1961 film "Viridiana," directed by Luis Buñuel, which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He also had a role in Michelangelo Antonioni's "Blow-Up" (1966), which was a critical and commercial success.
Snegoff's last film role was in the 1968 French crime drama "Baisers Volés." He passed away just a year later in Santa Monica, California, at the age of 50. His son, Gregory Snegoff, followed in his footsteps and became an actor and voice actor.
Snegoff was not only an accomplished actor, but he was also a writer and producer. In 1953, he wrote and produced the short film "The Light," which was directed by Laurence Alloway. Additionally, Snegoff co-wrote the screenplay for the 1966 film "Viking Woman and the Sea Serpent" with his son, Gregory. Snegoff's legacy continues to live on through the work of his son, who has become a successful voice actor in both American and Japanese animation, as well as in video games. In 2013, Gregory paid tribute to his father by providing the voice of him in a documentary about the making of "Blow-Up."
Józef Łodyński (October 19, 1919 Łódź-February 6, 1984 Łódź) a.k.a. J. Lodynski or Józef Lodynski was a Polish actor.
He studied acting at the State School of Acting in Łódź and began his career in the 1940s. Łodyński appeared in over 100 films and theater productions in Poland, including the film "Eroica" where he played the main character, a pianist and a prisoner of the Nazis. He was also known for his roles in "Krzyżacy" and "Barwy ochronne". Łodyński was awarded multiple awards for his contributions to Polish cinema, including the Silver Cross of Merit and the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. He had a son who followed in his footsteps and became an actor as well. Łodyński passed away in his hometown of Łódź in 1984.
In addition to his successful acting career, Józef Łodyński also worked as a teacher at the National Film School in Łódź, where he shared his knowledge and expertise with the younger generation of actors. He was highly respected in the Polish film industry and was known for his ability to bring depth and emotion to his roles. Łodyński was also an avid traveler who enjoyed exploring new cultures and meeting new people. He was passionate about his work and continued to act well into his later years, appearing in films such as "Rok w polu chwały" and "Zmiennicy". His legacy as a talented and dedicated actor lives on through his many memorable performances on stage and screen.
In addition to his career in acting and teaching, Józef Łodyński was also involved in politics. In the 1970s, he was a member of the Polish United Workers' Party and served as a member of parliament. However, he later became disillusioned with the party and its policies and resigned from politics.Łodyński was known for his humble and down-to-earth personality, despite his success and fame. He was admired by his colleagues for his professionalism and his dedication to his craft. He was also a loving husband to his wife Halina and a devoted father to his son Jacek. His contributions to Polish cinema and culture have earned him a place in the hearts of many, and he remains one of the most beloved actors in Polish history.
Tadeusz Waczkowski (December 11, 1919 Warsaw-November 12, 1981 Warsaw) was a Polish actor.
He was best known for his performances in Polish films such as "Zmiennicy" (Transformers), "Niewiarygodne przygody Marka Piegusa" (The Incredible Adventures of Mr. Marek Piegus), and "C.K. Dezerterzy" (Imperial and Royal Deserter). Waczkowski graduated from the National Film School in Łódź in 1948 and began his professional acting career on stage. He went on to appear in over 70 films and TV shows. In addition to his acting work, Waczkowski was also an accomplished director and screenwriter, having directed several television shows and written the screenplay for the film "Później, niż się spodziewano" (Later Than Expected). He was posthumously awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta for his contributions to Polish culture.
Waczkowski's acting career spanned several decades, during which he became a beloved figure in Polish cinema. He was known for his versatility and ability to portray a wide range of characters, from comedic to dramatic roles. Some of his most notable performances include his portrayal of the bumbling engineer Wacław in "Zmiennicy" and the retired military officer in "C.K. Dezerterzy". In addition to film and television work, Waczkowski also appeared on stage in the National Theatre in Warsaw and the Polish Theatre in Wrocław. He was admired for his dedication to his craft and his commitment to promoting the arts in Poland. Despite his success, Waczkowski remained humble and was admired for his kind and generous nature. He passed away in 1981 at the age of 61.
Throughout his career, Tadeusz Waczkowski received numerous accolades for his work in film and television. In 1979, he was awarded the Best Supporting Actor Award at the Pula Film Festival for his performance in "Śmierć prezydenta" (Death of a President). He also received a Special Golden Reel Award from the Association of Polish Filmmakers in 1981 for his contributions to Polish cinema. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Waczkowski was also involved in political activism and was a member of the Polish United Workers' Party. He was a vocal supporter of the Polish government's policies towards the arts and frequently spoke out in defense of cultural institutions. Despite criticisms of his political views, Waczkowski remained committed to his principles and continued to advocate for the arts until his passing. Today, he is remembered as one of Poland's most talented actors and a beloved figure in the country's cultural history.
Wiktor Grotowicz (October 23, 1919 Białystok-December 19, 1985 Wrocław) also known as Witold Grotowicz, W. Grotowicz or Wiktor Swincow was a Polish actor.
Grotowicz began his acting career in 1938, at the age of 19, at the Węgierka Theatre in Białystok. He later joined the Polish Army, where he served in the Polish Armed Forces in the West during World War II. After the war, he continued his acting career and became a prominent figure in the Polish theater scene. He worked at several theaters, including the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków, the Powszechny Theatre in Warsaw, and the Wrocławski Teatr Współczesny in Wrocław. Grotowicz also appeared in films such as "Bariera" (1966) and "Krajobraz po bitwie" (1970). He was known for his versatility as an actor, and his performances ranged from dramatic to comedic roles. He was awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta, one of Poland's highest civilian orders.
In addition to his successful career in acting, Grotowicz also worked as a director and theater instructor. He taught at the State Higher School of Theatre in Wrocław, where he influenced and inspired a new generation of actors. He was known for his innovative and experimental approach to theater, which helped elevate the Polish theater scene to new heights. Grotowicz's contributions to Polish theater were recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Konrad Swinarski Award, which he was awarded posthumously in 1986. Grotowicz passed away in 1985 at the age of 66, but his legacy continues to live on through his extensive body of work and the countless actors and theater professionals he inspired.
Grotowicz was also an accomplished writer and translator. He wrote several plays, including "Człowiek, który chciał być człowiekiem" (The Man Who Wanted to Be Human), which was later adapted into a film. He also translated plays by Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, and Tennessee Williams into Polish. Grotowicz was a founding member of the Theatre of the Eighth Day, a influential experimental theater group in Poland. He was also a member of the Polish Actors' Association and the International Theatre Institute. In addition, Grotowicz was actively involved in promoting cultural exchange between Poland and other countries. He traveled extensively, performing and lecturing in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Today, Grotowicz is remembered as one of the most important figures in Polish theater, and his innovative contributions to the field continue to inspire actors, directors, and theater enthusiasts around the world.