On July 9, 2024, the network was filled with sad news. His son Maciej informed about the passing of the outstanding Polish actor. The artist had been struggling with numerous health problems for a long time, and died at the age of 77. He left behind a long list of unforgettable roles and memories after years of a fruitful stage and film career.
Productions such as “Wodzirej”, “Amator”, “Kingsajz” or “Seksmisja” are considered by many cinephiles to be among the best in the history of Polish cinema. Practically all films in which Jerzy Stuhr took part left a clear mark on Polish (and not only Polish) cinematography. Jerzy Stuhr also played in foreign productions, he spent many years in Italy, where some addressed him as Maestro.
– Everyone warned me to address you as ‘Mr. Professor’. Do you like it that way? – asked Mariusz Wiatrak a few years ago. – No, no, no exaggeration, I’ve just gotten used to it. I’ve been working among students for so many years, and besides, I’m from Krakow, and there we all like to call each other. Although I prefer the more casual ones: Mr. Jerzy – the actor replied, and when asked about the form “Mr. Jurek” he added: – Well, that’s abroad, nobody calls me “professor” there. “Maestro” – they sometimes say, but not “professor”.
The most popular films with Jerzy Stuhr
Jerzy Stuhr became known to the general public as the co-host of “Spotkania z balladą” in the 1970s. In 1977, it was time for Feliks Falk’s “Wodzirej”. What didn’t Stuhr do there! His Lutek Danielak, an employee of the provincial branch of “Estrada”, runs events for children and pensioners. One day he finds out that a grand ball is to be held on the occasion of the opening of the “Lux” hotel and decides to fight for its hosting. With each passing moment he becomes more and more ruthless in this fight. “Supposedly, it was Andrzej Wajda, the artistic supervisor of Film Studio X, where “Wodzirej” was made, who advised Stuhr that he should be in constant motion in the film. The main character of Falk’s work does not so much walk as run, constantly arranging and organizing something” – Robert Birkholc about Danielak for Culture.pl, calling him, not without reason, “one of the most expressive and best recognizable heroes of Polish cinema”.
Two years later, “Amator” directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski premiered – appreciated at the Berlin International Film Festival and winner of two Golden Lions. Jerzy Stuhr played the role of Filip Mosz, a supplier at an industrial plant located near Krakow. The turning point in his life was the purchase of a film camera, which allowed him to start a career in this field. Already at the stage of writing the script, inspired by the life of a real person – Franciszek Dzida, a sugar factory worker in Chybie, the founder of the Amateur Film Club “Klaps” – Kieślowski thought about Stuhr. The gentlemen met on the set of “Spokoj” in 1976.
– “How much he struggled, he tried so that the viewer would forget in the shortest time that they were dealing with the Master of Ceremonies and believe that he was a good man, this Filip Mosz. From such details as changing the face – the mustache, to arranging the entire first sequence of the film, in which the hero has a child and he desires this child and loves his wife very much – a lot of efforts for the so-called ‘warming up of the character’. It was a great gift from the scriptwriter, director to the actor, Krzysiek’s faith in my abilities” – recalled Jerzy Stuhr in his book “Sercowa kuchnia, czyli moje życie w sztuki” from 1992.
And then there was “” from 1983, with which came the adoration of moviegoers and then millions of television viewers. Stuhr played the role of Maks Paradys in it, who in 1991, together with Albert Starski (Olgierd Łukaszewicz), undergo hibernation as part of an experiment conducted by Professor Wiktor Kuppelweiser. After waking up in the year 2044, they learn about the fate that happened during their “absence”. “I see darkness, I see darkness” and “I won’t get up! I’ll lie like this!” – these are probably the most famous quotes from Juliusz Machulski’s comedy.
The role of the daddyszkownik Kilkujadek, played by Stuhr in the film “”, also had a wide resonance. He ruled over Szuflandia, an unknown land located in the basements of the Quaternary Research Institute. He controlled all the inhabitants so that they would not accidentally discover the greatest secret of the kingsize, the mysterious elixir.
In 1997, “Kiler” premiered, in which Stuhr played the role of Commissioner Jerzy Ryba. The plot tells the story of his arrest of Jurek Kiler, an alleged serial killer. His further fate and support from Siara made “Kiler” a permanent part of the canon of Polish cinema. This was another role for Stuhr, in which he enriched great dialogues with his characteristic voice and facial expressions. Who doesn’t remember the exchange of words that ends with Commissioner Ryba’s words:
– Gentlemen, this must be some kind of mistake!
– A mistake… my wife’s middle name was A Mistake.
Two years later, the sequel to “Kiler” appeared in cinemas, namely “Kiler-ów 2-óch”. Stuhr once again played the role of commissioner Jerzy Ryba, who arrests Siara, Ferdynand Lipski, two young wolves and Wąski. The plot is once again based on the criminal fates of several “big shots”.
- “The Master of Ceremonies” (1977) – directed by Feliks Falk
- “Amateur” (1979) – directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski
- “Sexmission” (1983) – directed by Juliusz Machulski
- “Kingsize” (1987) – directed by Juliusz Machulski
- “Kiler” (1997) – directed by Juliusz Machulski
- “Kiler-ów 2-óch” (1999) – directed by Juliusz Machulski
Films directed by Jerzy Stuhr
Jerzy Stuhr also took on the role of director in his film career. In total, eight productions were created thanks to him. The first of them was “Spis cudzołożnic” from 1994, which was an adaptation of the novel by Jerzy Pilch. Stuhr was the director, screenwriter and main actor, but Pilch was also involved in the production. He wrote dialogues with Stuhr, and also appeared on screen – he played the man the main character meets in the Vis-à-Vis bar on the Main Market Square in Krakow. This production was met with recognition at the Gdynia Festival, the award for the leading female role was given to Stanisława Celińska, and Stuhr and Pilch for the dialogues.
Three years later, “Love Stories” saw the light of day. Stuhr dedicated this production to Krzysztof Kieślowski, with whom he had collaborated many times. And what? Three Venice IFF awards, Golden Lions in Gdynia and a nomination for Stuhr for the European Film Award for his role. Actually, not a role, but roles – “Love Stories” are four parallel stories, in which the main character is a different man each time, but each of them is played by Jerzy Stuhr.
In 1999, “A Week in the Life of a Man” was created, a drama film that received many nominations for prestigious awards. The main roles were played by Gosia Dobrowolska, Krzysztof Stroiński and Anna Samusionek. In 2000, the black-and-white drama film “The Big Animal” premiered, based on the short story “The Camel” by Kazimierz Orłoś. Here, the actor was partnered in front of the camera by Anna Dymna. In 2003, Stuhr directed the feature film “Tomorrow’s Weather” starring Małgorzata Zajączkowska, Maciej Stuhr, Barbara Kałużna, Roma Gąsiorowska and Krzysztof Globisz. Four years later, “Korowód” was created, another of Stuhr’s feature films, also based on his script.
Jerzy Stuhr directed two more productions – “Mundo Invisível. Tributo ao Público de Cinema” (2011) and “Obywatel” (2014). In addition, he lent his voice to dozens of productions, published several books, educated filmmakers, and received numerous awards and distinctions for his entire achievements. He was distinguished, among others, with the Golden Cross of Merit, the Award of the City of Krakow, the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta “for outstanding services to Polish culture, for achievements in artistic creation and pedagogical activity” and the Gold Medal “Zasłużony Kulturze Gloria Artis”. He was also a laureate of the Order of the Smile.
- “List of Adulteresses” (1994) – starring: Jan Peszek, Dorota Pomykała, Stanisława Celińska, Jan Frycz,
- “Love Stories” (1997) – starring: Katarzyna Figura, Jerzy Nowak, Dominika Ostałowska, Maciej Stuhr, Artur Barciś,
- “A Week in the Life of a Man” (1999) – starring Gosia Dobrowolska, Krzysztof Stroiński, Anna Samusionek, Ewa Skibińska,
- “The Big Animal” (2000) – starring: Anna Dymna, Dominika Bednarczyk, Błażej Wójcik, Feliks Szajnert,
- “Tomorrow’s Weather” (2003) – starring: Małgorzata Zajączkowska, Maciej Stuhr, Barbara Kałużna, Roma Gąsiorowska,
- “Korowód” (2007) – in the main roles Kamil Maćkowiak, Katarzyna Maciąg, Karolina Gorczyca, Jan Frycz,
- “Mundo Invisível” (2011) – Brazilian drama,
- “Citizen” (2014) – starring: Maciej Stuhr, Magdalena Boczarska, Sonia Bohosiewicz, Janusz Gajos.
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.
