Janusz Gajos (Polish pronunciation: [ˈjanuʂ ˈɡajɔs]; born 23 September 1939)[1] is a Polish film, television and theatre actor as well as pedagogue and photographer. Professor of Theatre Arts and an Honorary Doctor of the National Film School in Łódź, he is considered one of the greatest Polish actors.[2]

Janusz Gajos
Gajos in 2015
Born (1939-09-23) 23 September 1939 (age 85)
NationalityPolish
EducationNational Film School in Łódź
Occupations
  • Film actor
  • stage actor
  • pedagogue
Years active1964–present
SpouseElżbieta Brożek
Signature

He is the recipient of numerous awards and honours including the Gold Cross of Merit (1974),[3] Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture (2007), five Polish Film Awards (2001, 2007, 2016, 2016, 2019), Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2011),[4] and Diamond Lions Award at the Gdynia Film Festival (2015).[5]

Life and career

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He was born in Dąbrowa Górnicza. At the age of 11, he moved to Będzin where in 1957, he graduated from the High School No 3. In 1965 he graduated from the National Film School in Łódź as one of its best students despite having been rejected during entrance exams three times.[6] He debuted while he was still in film school in children's film Panienka z okienka directed by Maria Kaniewska in 1964.[6] Shortly afterwards he was cast in a role of Janek Kos in a widely popular TV World War II series Czterej pancerni i pies (Four Tank Men and a Dog). He starred in numerous other films and theatrical plays, notably in Krzysztof Kieślowski's Three Colors: White, Ryszard Bugajski's Interrogation, Andrzej Wajda's Man of Marble, Wojciech Marczewski's Escape from the 'Liberty' Cinema, Władysław Pasikowski's Pigs, Andrzej Wajda's The Revenge, Małgorzata Szumowska's Body and Wojciech Smarzowski's Clergy.[7]

He performed in numerous theatres throughout his acting career including Stefan Jaracz Theatre in Łódź as well as the Komedia Theatre, Polish Theatre, Kwadrat, the Dramatic Theatre and the National Theatre in Warsaw. In 2003, he became an academic teacher at the National Film School in Łódź. He is also known for performing in popular Olga Lipińska's Cabaret.[8]

In 2010, he officially endorsed the candidacy of Bronisław Komorowski in the 2010 Polish Presidential Elections[9] as well as the 2015 Polish Presidential Elections.[10]

In 2007, he received the Golden Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis.[11] In 2011, he was awarded the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta.[12] He is a five-time winner of the Polish Film Awards including the Polish Film Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2016.[13]

Filmography

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Janusz Gajos accepting the Commander's Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta from President Bronisław Komorowski, 2011

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rożen, Joanna. "Janusz Gajos biography" (in Polish). Onet.pl. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 16 June 2007.
  2. ^ "Janusz Gajos obchodzi 80. urodziny. "To aktor z tajemnicą"". Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Dziennik Polski". mbc.malopolska.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Prezydent odznaczył ludzi kultury". prezydent.pl (in Polish). 17 January 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  5. ^ "Diamentowe Lwy w Gdyni przyznane! Gajos, Barańska i "Noce i Dnie" triumfują". wpolityce.pl (in Polish). 15 September 2015. Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Janusz Gajos". culture.pl. Archived from the original on 16 April 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2007.
  7. ^ "Janusz Gajos". Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Janusz Gajos". Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  9. ^ "Komitet poparcia Bronisława Komorowskiego". Archived from the original on 1 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Kto wszedł do komitetu poparcia Komorowskiego, a kto z niego wypadł? CAŁA LISTA". Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Medale "Gloria Artis" dla Kabaretu Pod Egidą". Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Prezydent odznaczył ludzi kultury". Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  13. ^ "Znamy nazwisko pierwszego Laureata Orła 2016!". Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  14. ^ "Closed Circuit Dominates Polish Box Office". Archived from the original on 20 April 2013.
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