Although Piotr Machalica’s health problems began in 2013, when he underwent a serious heart operation, after recovery he was still full of strength and vigor. He created and wanted to create as much as possible, even though ambitious cinema forgot about him. He had many outstanding acting performances to his credit, in which he proved his artistry and acting uniqueness. He was distinguished from others by his restraint and balanced expression, and yet he reached the hearts of viewers. Certainly, he would still delight with his playing, if not for the sudden death that shook the entire artistic community.
He became famous as the unforgettable captain Popczyk. He has participated in many outstanding productions
Piotr Machalica made his screen debut in 1979 with the role of a monk in the poetic fantasy film Rycerz directed by Lech Majewski. He gained real popularity 9 years later as Captain Popczyk in Jacek Bromski’s “Kill Me Cop”. His role was permanently recorded in the history of cinema, and the actor’s talent was noticed in the artistic environment. There is no denying that the 1980s were the best professional time for him. At that time, he created the character of the sexologist Olgierd Pasikonik in “The Art of Loving” and was successful again. In turn, TV viewers loved him as Chris Kamieniecki, whom he played in the popular series “Złotopolscy”, and as the head of the BOR, General Bogusław Góra, whom he played in the third season of “Ekstradycja”.
An outstanding film and theater actor, he has collaborated with many respected artists, e.g. Krzysztof Kieślowski and Marek Koterski, under whose supervision he created his best creations. He has roles in many cult productions such as “A Short Film About Love”, “We Are All Christs” or two parts of “Decalogue”. Acting was connected with the actor’s other great passion, which was music. He took part in numerous actor’s song competitions, and his performances were often awarded. He has also recorded several albums, including with songs by Bułat Okudzhava and Georges Brassens. However, he liked the songs the most, to which he dedicated his last album entitled “My favorite Młynarski”.
He created the last two roles for the film “Brigitte Bardot wonderful” by Lech Majewski and the romantic comedy “Happiness goes in pairs”, in which he played a cameo. The premieres of both productions took place after his death, in 2021 and 2022 respectively. It is also known that the actor was preparing for the role in “Secrets of the profession”, thanks to which he was to remind himself of himself to a wider audience, because the production was commissioned by TVN. Unfortunately, when filming began, Machalica did not appear on set.
Before his death, he gave an interview, and his words turned out to be prophetic. He spent the last moments of his life in the hospital
His resignation from participation in the said production was motivated by the desire to devote more time to his relatives, especially his wife. The actor got married in September 2020, and the chosen one of his heart was over 20 years younger, Aleksandra Sosnowska, with whom they had been in a relationship for 14 years. They got married less than three months before his death. However, even then, Machalica had serious health problems.
In the last interview he gave to Onet, he confessed that he couldn’t keep up with the rush of modern life. He said that he was not used to such drastic changes in such a short time. He deplored the heartlessness of people who want to have more and more, but do not see the suffering that is still in the world. – We think we’re the center of the universe, and all it takes is a hurricane to come and we’re in the ass – Machalica.
The actor spent the last weeks of his life in a hospital, first in Łódź and then in Warsaw. The reason for hospitalization was a serious health condition related to coronavirus infection. The heart disease he suffered from for years and other problems only made effective treatment difficult. The prognosis was not optimistic and the doctors prepared the family for the worst, but they still had hope. “I have to say it wasn’t a very unexpected piece of news. We all knew that he was ill, that the situation was difficult – in an interview with Wirtualna Polska, privately a friend of the actor.
The unexpected death of Piotr Machalica. The actor died at the age of 65
Although relatives were aware that his condition was serious, Machalica was provided with professional care and it was assumed that he would be cured, after all, his health was much worse. Throughout his hospitalization, the actor was not on a ventilator, which gave the family hope. Everything seemed to be going in the right direction. Soon after, the actor returned home and his condition began to improve.
Unexpectedly, on the night of December 13/14, 2020, he was hospitalized again, where he was placed in a pharmacological coma and connected to the apparatus. The artist’s body could not withstand the debilitating mixture of COVID and accompanying diseases. A few hours later, the media was informed about the death of Piotr Machalica. “The moment has come, this sad late-night call. And the thought that he’s gone. And that it’s always too early for such news – Żak recalled the moment when he found out about the death of his colleague. At that time, he mentioned that Machalica was not only an excellent and respected artist, but also a wonderful and good person.
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Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
