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Jerzy Stuhr

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Jerzy Stuhr
Stuhr in 2018
Born
Jerzy Oskar Stuhr

(1947-04-18)18 April 1947
Kraków, Poland
Died9 July 2024(2024-07-09) (aged 77)
Kraków, Poland
EducationJagiellonian University
National Academy of Theatre Arts in Kraków
Occupation(s)Actor, Director
Years active1971–2024
Spouse
Barbara Kóska
​
(m. 1971)​
Children2 including Maciej

Jerzy Oskar Stuhr (Polish: [ˈjɛʐɨ ˈɔskar ˈʂtur]; 18 April 1947 – 9 July 2024) was a Polish film and theatre actor.[1][2] Considered one of the most popular, influential and versatile Polish actors and an icon of Polish cinema,[3] he also worked as a screenwriter, film director, voice actor and drama professor. He served as the rector of the Ludwik Solski Academy for the Dramatic Arts in Kraków for two terms: from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2002 to 2008.

Throughout his long and prolific professional career spanning over five decades, he appeared in 65 films including Camera Buff (1979), Sexmission (1984), A Year of the Quiet Sun (1984), Dekalog: Ten (1989), Three Colours: White (1994), Kiler (1997), Love Stories (1997) and The Big Animal (2000).

He received numerous awards and honours including the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2000),[4] Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture (2005),[5] Polish Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Persona non grata (2006), Złota Kaczka Award (2008), Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2011),[6] and Polish Academy Life Achievement Award (2018).[7]

Life and career

Early life and education

Stuhr was born in 1947 in Kraków to father Tadeusz Stuhr, a prosecutor,[8] and mother Maria (née Chorąży) who worked as an accountant.[9][1] His ancestors, Austrians Leopold Stuhr and Anna Thill, migrated within Austria-Hungary from Mistelbach to Kraków shortly after their wedding in 1879.[10]

Having obtained a degree in Polish literature from the Jagiellonian University in 1970,[2] Stuhr spent the next two years studying acting at the Academy for the Dramatic Arts in Kraków (Państwowa Wyższa Szkoła Teatralna often shortened to PWST),[2] where he became a professor.

Professional career

From the early 1970s, he appeared in Polish theatre and worked in film productions, making his debut with the role of Beelzebub in Adam Mickiewicz's Dziady directed by Konrad Swinarski.[1]

Having met film director Krzysztof Kieślowski in the mid-1970s, he continued to work with him until Kieślowski's death in 1996. To an international audience, Stuhr may be best known for his minor role as thick-witted hairdresser Jurek in Kieślowski's Three Colors: White, in which he starred alongside Julie Delpy, Janusz Gajos, and Zbigniew Zamachowski. In Poland and nearby countries, he was probably best known for the part of Max in Juliusz Machulski's 1984 dystopian cult comedy Seksmisja (one of the most popular Polish movies), and – to a younger audience – for lending his voice to the talking donkey in the dubbed Polish version of the Shrek trilogy. [11]

Other important films include Kieślowski's The Scar (Blizna, 1976), Camera Buff (Amator, 1979) and Part 10 of The Decalogue series (1988), Machulski's Kingsize (1987), Kiler (1997) and Kiler 2 (1999), and Zanussi's Life for Life (1988). Stuhr also worked with Polish directors Agnieszka Holland, Andrzej Wajda and Krzysztof Zanussi.

In 1985, Stuhr made his own directorial debut staging the Polish version of Patrick Süskind's play The Double Bass, in which he also played the (only) role. In spite of the production's success, it was not until 1995 that Stuhr began directing films as well, with List of Adulteresses (Spis cudzołożnic) based on a novel by Jerzy Pilch. Critics favourably compared his next effort Love Stories (Historie miłosne, 1997) to Kieślowski's work. The film consists of four unconnected episodes with Stuhr playing the lead role in each. Further movies directed by Stuhr are Big Animal (Duże zwierzę, 2000 – based on a Kieślowski screenplay), and Tomorrow's Weather (Pogoda na jutro, 2003). For these two, Stuhr employed the Polish alternative rock band Myslovitz who composed the title tracks and also had walk-on roles in the latter. In an interview with The Krakow Post Stuhr admitted that Italian cinéaste Nanni Moretti influenced his approach to filmmaking.[12]

From 1990 to 1997, and again from 2002, Stuhr held the position of rector at the Kraków National Drama School, where he had learned his craft two decades before. He formally obtained the title of professor in Dramatic Arts in 1994.[1]

Stuhr's son Maciej (born 1975) is an actor in his own right, who has played alongside his father in Kieślowski's Decalogue X (1988), Pogoda na jutro (2003), and Love Stories (1997).[13] His daughter, Marianna (born 1982) is an artist, painter.

In 2004 he was a member of the jury at the 26th Moscow International Film Festival.[14] He was the chairman of the board of supervisors at Kraków's Józef Tischner Children's Hospice and was a supporter of this foundation from 2004.

He was head of the jury of the 2nd Odesa International Film Festival which took place in Odesa from 15 to 23 July 2011.[15]

He worked with RMF FM and also wrote books such as Escape forward! (Ucieczka do przodu !) and The Stuhrs: Family Stories (Stuhrowie: Historie Rodzinne).

Personal life

In 1971, Stuhr married violinist Barbara (née Kóska).[16][17] He had two children: a son, actor Maciej Stuhr (born 1975) and daughter Marianna (born 1982).[18]

He was involved in supporting various charity organizations including the Józef Tischner Children's Hospice in Kraków and the Jan Kaczkowski Foundation helping people suffering from cancer.[19][20]

In Autumn 2011 Stuhr suffered what he thought was a severe throat infection, but eventually he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer. He spent most of the following eight months in hospitals in Gliwice, Kraków and Zakopane, undergoing treatment including surgeries, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. His daughter, herself a cancer survivor, advised him to write a diary to keep himself mentally busy during that difficult time. In 2012 it was published by Wydawnictwo Literackie publishing house under the title Tak sobie myślę... (which roughly translates as So I am thinking...). His illness was widely covered by Polish media, and he received feedback from cancer patients around the country for whom his openness was comforting. Eventually he described his cancer as "the most important role of my life".[21] As of April 2013, his cancer was in remission and he resumed both stage and voice acting.

In 2022, he caused a road collision in Kraków while driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2023, the Appeals Court in Kraków upheld the previous verdict which pronounced him guilty of causing the accident and drunk driving. He had his driving license confiscated and was banned from driving motor vehicles for a period of three years.[22]

Death

Stuhr died in Kraków on 9 July 2024, at the age of 77.[23][24][25] The funeral mass took place on 17 July 2024 at the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Kraków and was celebrated by Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś. He was buried at the Rakowicki Cemetery.[26]

Awards and recognition

11 November 1997, by decision of President Aleksander Kwaśniewski, in recognition of his prominent addition to Polish national culture Jerzy Stuhr was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.[27]

On 12 November 2008, he received Złota Kaczka (Golden Duck) being chosen the "Best Comedy Actor of the Century".

Stuhr was appointed to the European Film Award for his fourfold role in Love stories. He was a laureate of the Venice Film Festival. He also received numerous other Polish and international awards in recognition of his work, including:

Voice acting

GoEast Festival in Wiesbaden, 2015

Jerzy Stuhr became very popular with younger viewers after he provided the voice for Donkey in the Polish dubbed version of Shrek (as well as in Shrek 2, Shrek the Third and in video games, based on the Shrek movies). Stuhr also provided the voice of Mushu the dragon in Disney's Mulan and Mulan 2, and for the Larry Laffer character in Larry 7 game.

Filmography

Actor

Polish title English title Year Role
I Will Not Starve (Non morirò di fame) 2023 Granata
Habemus papam—Mamy papieża We Have a Pope 2011 Marcin Rajski
Korowód Twists of Fate 2007 The Rector
Il caimano 2006 Jerzy Sturovsky
Persona Non Grata 2005 Counselor of the Polish Embassy
Arie 2004 Israel Arie
Pogoda na jutro Tomorrow's Weather 2003 Józef Kozioł
3= (help) 2003 Boss
Duże zwierzę Big Animal 2000 Zygmunt Sawicki
Vita altrui, La The Other's Life 2000 Riccardo
Down House 2000 Gen. Ivolgin
Tydzień z życia mężczyzny A Week in the Life of a Man 1999 Adam Borowski
Kilerów 2-óch 1999 commissioner Jerzy Ryba
Kiler 1997 commissioner Jerzy Ryba
Historie miłosne Love Stories 1997 The teacher/The priest/Col. Matałowski/Zdzisio
Matka swojej matki Mother of mother 1996 Roman
Spis cudzołożnic List of Lovers 1995 Gustaw
Trzy kolory: Biały Three Colors: White 1994 Jurek
Uprowadzenie Agaty Kidnapping of Agata 1993 Agata's Father
Życie za Życie [pl] Life for Life: Maximilian Kolbe 1991 Prałat
Dekalog X Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Goods 1989 Jerzy
Obywatel Piszczyk Citizen Piszczyk 1989 Jan Piszczyk
Déjà vu 1990 Johnny Pollack
Kingsajz King Size 1988 nadszyszkownik Kilkujadek
Pociąg do Hollywood Train to Hollywood 1987 The Director
Bohater roku Hero of the Year 1987 Ludwik Danielak
Luk Erosa Cupid's Bow 1987 Stanisław Cięglewicz
Śmierc Johna L. The Death of John L 1987 Coalminer from Bytom
Ga, Ga - Chwała bohaterom Ga-ga: Glory to the Heroes 1986 clerk Chudy
Ucieczka Escape 1986 Czesio
Medium 1985 Georg Netz
O-bi, O-ba – Koniec cywilizacji O-Bi, O-Ba: The End of Civilization 1985 Soft
Rok spokojnego słońca A Year of the Quiet Sun 1984 Adzio
Seksmisja Sexmission 1984 Maksymilian 'Maks' Paradys
Dziady (TV) 1983 Belzebub/Master of Ceremonies/Valet
Matka Królów Mother of Kings 1983 member of UB
From a Far Country [it] From a Far Country: Pope John Paul II 1981 Engineer
Wojna światów - następne stulecie The War of the Worlds: Next Century 1981 lawyer
Przypadek Blind Chance 1981 activist of ZSMP
Ćma The Moth 1980 "Elegant"
Spokój (TV) Peace 1980 Antek Gralak
Szansa Chance 1980 Zbyszek Ejmont, history teacher
Wizja lokalna 1901 Inspection of the Crime Scene 1901 1980 councilman Wagner
Amator Camera Buff 1979 Filip Mosz
Aktorzy prowincjonalni Provincial Actors 1978 reviewer
Bez znieczulenia Without Anesthesia 1978 Jerzy Porębowicz
Wodzirej Top Dog 1978 Lutek Danielak
Blizna The Scar 1976 Bednarz's assistant
Przyjęcie na dziesięć osób plus trzy (TV) Guest in front of Employment Agency 1973 the guest in front of the intermediary
Trzecia część nocy The Third Part of the Night 1971 Laboratory assistant

Director and screenplay writer

Polish title Year English title
Spis cudzołożnic 1995 List of Lovers
Historie miłosne 1997 Love Stories
Tydzień z życia mężczyzny 1999 A Week in the Life of a Man
Duże zwierzę 2000 Big Animal
Pogoda na jutro 2003 Tomorrow's Weather
Korowód 2007 Twists of Fate

Voice in Polish Dub

English title Year Role
Mulan 1998 Mushu
Leisure Suit Larry: Love for Sail! 2000 Larry Laffer
Shrek 2001 Donkey
Shrek 2 2004 Donkey
Mulan 2 2004 Mushu
Shrek the Third 2007 Donkey
Shrek the Halls 2007 Donkey
Copernicus' Star 2009 Paul Van De Volder
Shrek Forever After 2010 Donkey
Christmas Story 2010 Santa Claus
Scared Shrekless 2010 Donkey
Shrek 4-D 2010 Donkey
The Smurfs 2011 Gargamel
The Smurfs 2 2013 Gargamel
Gnome Alone 2017 Quicksilver
Loving Vincent 2017 Postman Joseph Roulin
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle 2018 Akela
The Lion King 2019 Rafiki

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Jerzy Stuhr profile". culture.pl. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2007.
  2. ^ a b c "Jerzy Stuhr – Biografia". Onet.pl. Archived from the original on 2 July 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2007.
  3. ^ Aneta Kyzioł (9 July 2024). "Niezwykły Jerzy Stuhr. Ktoś więcej niż aktor. Ikona kina i komedii, sumienie inteligencji". polityka.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana". quirinale.it (in Italian). Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Medal Gloria Artis dla twórców i działaczy kultury". wp.pl (in Polish). 5 October 2005. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  6. ^ a b "M.P. 2011 nr 71 poz. 697". isap.sejm.gov.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Orły 2018: Jerzy Stuhr laureatem za osiągnięcia życia". onet.pl (in Polish). 8 March 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  8. ^ Stuhr, Maciej; Luter, Andrzej (2019). Myśmy się uodpornili. Rozmowy o dojrzałości [We Have Become Immune. Conversations About Maturity.] (in Polish). Kraków: WAM. p. 38. ISBN 978-83-277-1656-9.
  9. ^ Stuhr, Jerzy (2009). Stuhrowie. Historie rodzinne [The Stuhrs: Family Stories.] (in Polish). Wydawnictwo Literackie. p. 188–190. ISBN 978-83-08-04273-1.
  10. ^ Burkot, Stanisław (4 April 2009). "Wrastanie w Kraków" (in Polish). e-teatr.pl. Archived from the original on 17 October 2010.
  11. ^ ""Shrek 5" zapowiedziany w dniu śmierci Jerzego Stuhra. Kto teraz podłoży głos Osłu?". rmf.fm (in Polish). 10 July 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  12. ^ "An Interview with Jerzy Stuhr". krakowpost.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  13. ^ Dominika Dębek and Dorota Smoleń. "Maciej Stuhr Biography" (in Polish). Onet.pl. Retrieved 14 August 2007.
  14. ^ "26th Moscow International Film Festival (2004)". MIFF. Archived from the original on 3 April 2013. Retrieved 6 April 2013.
  15. ^ "Jerzy Stuhr heads Odessa Film Festival jury".
  16. ^ "Beloved in Poland and renowned internationally, actor Jerzy Stuhr dies at age 77". tvp.pl. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  17. ^ Stuhr, Jerzy (2009). Stuhrowie. Historie rodzinne [The Stuhrs: Family Stories.] (in Polish). Wydawnictwo Literackie. p. 193. ISBN 978-83-08-04273-1.
  18. ^ Stuhr, Jerzy (2009). Stuhrowie. Historie rodzinne [The Stuhrs: Family Stories.] (in Polish). Wydawnictwo Literackie. p. 204. ISBN 978-83-08-04273-1.
  19. ^ "Nie żyje Jerzy Stuhr". hospicjumtischnera.org (in Polish). 9 July 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Niezwykły konkurs, któremu patronuje ks. Kaczkowski. Jerzy Stuhr poleca [ZOBACZ]". deon.pl (in Polish). 3 July 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  21. ^ Jerzy Stuhr, Tak sobie myślę, Wydawnictwo Literackie: Kraków 2012.
  22. ^ "Wyrok sądu ws. znanego aktora Jerzego S." polsatnews.pl (in Polish). 30 June 2023. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  23. ^ "Jerzy Stuhr - iconic Polish actor and director - passes away at 77". polskieradio.pl. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  24. ^ "Jerzy Stuhr nie żyje. Aktor miał 77 lat". Onet Kultura (in Polish). 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
  25. ^ Nie żyje Jerzy Stuhr. Artysta zmarł w wieku 77 lat w rodzinnym Krakowie, z którym związał niemal całe swoje życie.
  26. ^ Małgorzata Krajewska (17 July 2024). ""Artyści jak Jerzy Stuhr nigdy nie odchodzą". Kraków żegna wszechstronnego aktora i reżysera". radiozet.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  27. ^ "M.P. 1998 nr 6 poz. 110". isap.sejm.gov.pl. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
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