Roman Wilhelmi was still planning his next films in the last days of his life. He did not understand that he was dying.

Roman Wilhelmi, actor known for his unforgettable roles in “The Career of Nikodem Dyzma” and “Alternatives 4”, Throughout his life he teetered on the edge of genius and self-destruction. His last days were as dramatic as many of the scenes he played in. Although fate wrote a sad ending for him, Wilhelmi believed until the end that this was not the end of his story.

From a rascal to an icon of Polish cinema

Roman Wilhelmi was born on June 6, 1936 in Poznań. As a child, he was a naughty rascal whose parents, in an act of desperation, sent him to a school run by the Salesians. It was there, paradoxically, he discovered his vocation, playing the baby Jesus in a school play. This role launched a career that would last for the next four decades.

Roman Wilhelmi ‘Four Tankmen and a Dog’ screen VOD TVP, ‘Four Tank Men and a Dog’, S01E01

Wilhelmi’s path to fame was bumpy. At first, he struggled, unable to find his place in the acting world. The breakthrough came with the role of Olgierd in “Czterej pancerni i pies”, although the actor himself had an ambivalent attitude towards it.. However, after the initial delight, his career slowed down considerably, and he himself was pigeonholed in his breakthrough role. It was then that his problems with alcohol deepened the most. Fortunately, after some time, subsequent roles in the films “Zaklęte rewiry” and “Stawiam na Tolka Banana” gradually moved him away from the image of Olgierd. The real breakthrough was the role of Nikodem Dyzma, which made him immortal in Polish film culture. Then “Alternatywy 4” solidified his status as a legend.

Roman Wilhelmi in the series ‘The Career of Nikodem Dyzma’. Photo: screen ‘The Career of Nikodem Dyzma’ / TVP VOD

Private life as stormy as drama

Wilhelmi’s personal life was as intense as his acting career. Three marriages, numerous affairs and a difficult relationship with her son Rafał created a complex mosaic. The actor was known for his violent nature and impulsive behavior, which often complicated his relationships with those close to him.

Wilhelmi through the years he struggled with alcohol addiction. The pressure of his profession, his intense life and his inner demons pushed him towards self-destruction. Only his relationship with Liliana Kęszycka brought some stability, but it was too late for a complete transformation.

In 1991, the then 55-year-old actor was diagnosed with liver cancer with metastases to the lungs. The diagnosis was a huge blow for him, which he did not accept for a long time. Despite his deteriorating health, the actor tried to live life to the fullest until the end, planning new roles and projects. His relatives were afraid to tell him the truth about his terminal illness. Even in hospital, three days before his death, Wilhelmi was making plans for the future. His calendar was full of dates and potential roles. He dreamed of a career in France, envious of his colleagues who had achieved success there. Unfortunately, fate had a different plan for him.

Roman Wilhelmi died on November 3, 1991, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy and many unfinished plans. His passing was a shock to fans who did not know about his illness. The actor tried to maintain a semblance of normality until the end, refusing to accept the role of a dying man. His untimely passing reminds us how fragile life is, even when it seems like we still have so much left to do.