Here are 5 famous musicians from Slovakia died at 65:
Jozef Murgaš (February 17, 1864 Tajov-May 11, 1929) also known as Jozef Murgas was a Slovak scientist, inventor, botanist, architect, painter and priest.
He is best known for his pioneering work in the field of wireless communication, including the development of a wireless telegraph and his invention of a wireless telephone. Murgaš studied at universities in Prague, Budapest, and Rome before being ordained as a priest in 1890. He then moved to the United States, where he continued his scientific work and eventually became a citizen. In addition to his work in wireless communication, Murgaš also conducted research on plant genetics and made significant contributions to architecture and painting. He is considered one of the most important Slovak inventors and is celebrated both in Slovakia and the United States.
During World War I, Murgaš worked for the U.S. government as a wireless expert, where he pioneered the development of short-wave technology that was crucial for communication in the war effort. He continued to work as a wireless consultant to the U.S. government even after the war had ended. Murgaš also invented an early form of TV, which he called a "televisionoscope," and filed several patents related to his inventions.
Aside from his scientific work, Murgaš was a talented artist and architect. He designed several buildings including the St. Stephen Church in Ohio, and his paintings were exhibited in Europe and the United States. He was also a strong advocate for the use of the Slovak language in church services and was instrumental in founding several Slovak parishes in the United States.
Murgaš died in 1929 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in that city. Today, he is recognized as one of Slovakia's most notable inventors and his contributions to wireless communication technology have had a lasting impact on the world.
Read more about Jozef Murgaš on Wikipedia »
Arnold Pressburger (August 27, 1885 Bratislava-February 17, 1951 Hamburg) was a Slovak film producer. He had one child, Fred Pressburger.
Arnold Pressburger was one of the most prominent film producers in pre-World War II Europe. He founded his production company, Cine-Allianz, in Berlin in 1929 and produced over 60 films during his career. Pressburger was known for his collaboration with Hungarian director Alexander Korda, producing many of his early films.
During the rise of Nazism in Germany, Pressburger fled to Paris and later to London, where he continued his film production career. In 1940, he co-founded the film production company Independent Producers with fellow film producer Michael Balcon.
Pressburger's most successful films include "The Private Life of Henry VIII" (1933), which won an Academy Award for Best Actor for Charles Laughton's portrayal of the titular character, and the Michael Powell-directed films "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" (1943), "A Matter of Life and Death" (1946), and "Black Narcissus" (1947).
Pressburger died of a stroke in Hamburg in 1951 at the age of 65. His son, Fred Pressburger, also became a film producer and won two Academy Awards for Best Picture for "The Red Shoes" (1948) and "The African Queen" (1951).
In addition to his successful film production career, Arnold Pressburger was heavily involved in the film industry's politics and associations. He was one of the founders of the International Federation of Film Distributors, and he also served as the president of the Film Producers Association in Czechoslovakia. Pressburger was renowned for his keen eye for talent and his ability to spot potential in emerging film directors and actors. He was a mentor and supporter of many young filmmakers, including Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, who would go on to become his most successful collaborators. Today, Arnold Pressburger is remembered as a pioneering figure in European cinema and a key contributor to the development of the film industry during the first half of the 20th century.
He died in stroke.
Read more about Arnold Pressburger on Wikipedia »
Jaromil Jireš (December 10, 1935 Bratislava-October 24, 2001 Prague) also known as Jaromil Jires was a Slovak film director and screenwriter.
He is best known for his internationally acclaimed film, "Valerie and Her Week of Wonders," which is considered a masterpiece of Czechoslovak New Wave cinema. Jireš initially studied architecture before switching to film at the Prague Film Academy. He began his career as a director in the early 1960s and quickly made a name for himself with his innovative and adventurous approach to film-making. He continued to make films throughout his career, both in Czechoslovakia and abroad, and is remembered as one of the most important and influential figures in Czech cinema of the 20th century.
Some of Jireš' other notable films include "The Jester and the Queen" (1964), "The Cry" (1964), "The Apple Game" (1976), and "The Little Mermaid" (1976). In addition to his work as a filmmaker, Jireš was also a lecturer, teaching film at universities in Czechoslovakia, the United States, and Germany. Despite facing censorship and government pressure throughout his career, Jireš remained committed to his artistic vision and his films were often provocative and challenging. Jireš received numerous awards and honors over the course of his career, including the Czech Lion Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1999. He passed away at the age of 65 in Prague, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking works and inspiring future generations of filmmakers.
Read more about Jaromil Jireš on Wikipedia »
Jozef Gregor Tajovský (October 18, 1874 Tajov-May 20, 1940 Bratislava) otherwise known as Jozef Gregor-Tajovský was a Slovak writer, playwright, poet, editor, teacher and politician. He had one child, Dagmar Tajovský.
Tajovský was born in the village of Tajov in present-day Slovakia. He earned a degree in philosophy, history and Slovak language/literature from Charles University in Prague. Tajovský's literary works were heavily influenced by the Slovak national awakening movement and his progressive political beliefs. He wrote many plays, including the famous "Juro Jánošík", which was later adapted for film. Tajovský was also an editor of newspapers and magazines focused on Slovak culture and politics. He served as a member of parliament and later as an ambassador to Bulgaria. Tajovský's works had a significant impact on the development of Slovak national consciousness and cultural identity. He is remembered as one of the most important figures of Slovak literature and politics in the early 20th century.
Tajovský's interest in politics and social justice is reflected in his literary works, which often dealt with social problems, poverty and the struggle of the Slovak people for independence. His writing also emphasized the importance of education and the preservation of Slovak culture and language. In addition, Tajovský was a founding member of the Slovak Literary Fund, which aimed to support and promote Slovak writers and their works.
Despite his political and literary achievements, Tajovský also faced persecution from the authorities due to his progressive views. He spent several years in prison during World War II for his opposition to the Nazi occupation of Slovakia. Tajovský died in 1940, just months before Slovakia declared independence. His legacy continues to inspire Slovak artists, writers and politicians to this day.
Read more about Jozef Gregor Tajovský on Wikipedia »
Andrej Bagar (October 29, 1900 Trenčianske Teplice-July 31, 1966 Bratislava) was a Slovak actor.
He was one of the most important figures in the development of modern Slovak theatre and film. Bagar worked as an actor, director and playwright, and was one of the founders of the first professional Slovak theatre company in Bratislava. He trained at the Bratislava Drama School and later in Prague, where he gained experience working in the National Theatre. Bagar went on to become a leading figure in the Slovak National Theatre, and played a crucial role in the development of the Slovak language as a language of theatre and film. He acted in over fifty films, and was known for his powerful performances and commanding presence on stage. In addition to his work in the theatre and film, Bagar was also a prolific writer, and is considered one of the most important Slovak playwrights of the 20th century. His plays deal with topics such as social injustice, political repression, and the struggle for freedom and human rights.
Bagar was deeply invested in promoting Slovak culture, and his work was often political in nature. He also acted as a mentor to many young actors and writers, and was known for his generosity and dedication to his craft. In recognition of his contributions to Slovak theatre, the Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra was named after him. The theatre hosts an annual festival of Slovak theatre in his honor, which attracts artists and audiences from across the country. Today, Bagar is remembered as a pioneering figure in Slovak culture, whose work helped to establish Slovak theatre and film as important artistic mediums in their own right.
Read more about Andrej Bagar on Wikipedia »