Katarzyna Śmiechowicz made her debut on screen in 1987 as a maid in the series “Escape from Beloved Places”. The 18-year-old immediately liked the directors, who eagerly started casting her in their productions. She appeared, among others, in the melodrama “Between Lips and the Edge of the Cup” or the war film “As Famous as Sarajevo”, but the real breakthrough in her career was the Miss Europe competition, of which she was the winner.
Her role in Spielberg’s film opened the door to the world of Hollywood. However, she did not become a star
Winning the plebiscite meant that Poles began to be interested also outside the country. Her photos appeared in many prestigious magazines and this is how she attracted attention. The director was then selecting the cast for “Schindler’s List” and offered the aspiring actress one of the episodic roles. She agreed and eventually played a German in the production that won seven Oscars. It was then that she started thinking about conquering the American film industry and believed that it was really possible. Although she was considered a star in Poland at that time, it bothered her that she was perceived through the prism of beauty and that directors offered her only promiscuous roles. – I decided that if I was noticed in Poland, I would also be noticed outside the country – later.
When she went to Cannes for the film festival in the late 1990s, she decided to make as many new contacts as possible that would help her make a name for herself overseas. – I was introduced to American producers. I was noticed and offered a role. Immediately after returning to Poland, I started preparing for my trip to Los Angeles – in “Angora”, adding that even Bruce Willis was impressed with her, who recommended her to his agent.
After several failures, she wanted to return to her country. Love stopped her overseas
At the beginning of 2000, Śmiechowicz left for the USA. First, she focused on intensive language learning, and soon she began studying acting at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. She also regularly attended castings, which quickly resulted in roles in two major films. Ultimately, however, the first production did not take place at all, and the second one was suspended shortly after going on set. The distraught actress decided to return to her homeland, but ultimately stayed in the United States. During a party at the Beverly Regent Hotel, Wilshire met Dominik Leconte from Kielce, who at that time was the program director at Columbia Tristar Domestic Television in Los Angeles. – Our friends arranged a meeting and, as it turned out, they suited our tastes. It’s safe to say it was love at first sight, she said.
The couple got married in 2002, and 8 years later their family grew by two children, Antoni and Fabian. Despite changes in her private life, Śmiechowicz did not give up her greatest passion and continued to fulfill herself as an actress. Over the last two decades, she has appeared in many cult Polish productions, including: “Boys Don’t Cry”, “At God’s Corner” or the sitcom “Daleko od szy”. On November 25, 2023, the star will celebrate her 54th birthday. She still divides her life between her homeland and Los Angeles, which is her second home. Currently, she also works as a screenwriter and creates her own projects.
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.
