Jerzy Nowak (20 June 1923 – 26 March 2013) was a

Polish Polish may refer to: * Anything from or related to Poland, a country in Europe * Polish language * Poles Poles,, ; singular masculine: ''Polak'', singular feminine: ''Polka'' or Polish people, are a West Slavic nation and ethnic group, w ...

film and theatre actor and teacher.

Biography

During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, Nowak fought with the Polish partisans. In 1948, he graduated from the

Ludwik Solski Academy for the Dramatic Arts Ludwik () is a Polish given name. Notable people with the name include: * Ludwik Czyżewski, Polish WWII general * Ludwik Fleck (1896–1961), Polish medical doctor and biologist * Ludwik Gintel (1899–1973), Polish-Israeli Olympic soccer player ...

Kraków Kraków (), or Cracow, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city dates back to the seventh century. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 ...

. From 1994 on, Nowak primarily and continuously played the role of Singer Hirsch, who is a historic character in the legacy of Polish theater. In cinema, he mostly took on supporting roles as a Jew, often set during World War Two, such as in ''

Schindler's List ''Schindler's List'' is a 1993 American epic historical drama film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and written by Steven Zaillian. It is based on the 1982 novel ''Schindler's Ark'' by Australian novelist Thomas Keneally. The film f ...

'' (directed by Steven Spielberg), or as a 'bumpkin farmer' in '' Three Colors: White'', and as the great creative Zucker in the film'' The Promised Land'' ( directed by

Andrzej Wajda Andrzej Witold Wajda (; 6 March 1926 – 9 October 2016) was a Polish film and theatre director. Recipient of an Honorary Oscar, the Palme d'Or, as well as Honorary Golden Lion and Honorary Golden Bear Awards, he was a prominent member of the ...

). In 2005, he made a film on the subject of death, after allegedly learning of his own illness. In his will, his corpse was to be processed in formalin by

Jagiellonian University Medical College Jagiellonian University Medical College is the oldest medical school in Poland. The Jagiellonian University's Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy are acclaimed as one of the largest medical academies in Poland. The school was established by King C ...

. In 2007 the documentary '' Existence'', directed by Marcin Koszalka focuses on the problem of death. The film attracted considerable media interest, and the rumors about the actor's disease has been denied. In autumn 2009, Austeria Publishing House released the biography of Jerzy Nowak,''Book of Love'', written in collaboration with his wife, who in February 2010 was awarded the prize Kraków Book of the Month

Filmography

*''

Podhale w ogniu ''Podhale w ogniu'' () is a Polish historical film about the Kostka-Napierski uprising. It was released in 1956 Events January * January 1 – The Anglo-Egyptian Condominium ends in Sudan. * January 8 – Operation Auca: Five U.S. ...

'' (1956) *''Zagubione uczucia'' (1957) - Shop assistant (uncredited) *''Dezerter'' (1958) - Klein *''

The Eagle The eagle is a large bird of prey. Eagle or The Eagle may also refer to: Places England * Eagle, Lincolnshire, a village United States * Eagle, Alaska, a city * Eagle Village, Alaska, a census-designated place * Eagle, Colorado, a statut ...

'' (1959) - Mate Sznuk *''Miejsce na ziemi'' (1960) - Doctor (uncredited) *''Spotkania w mroku'' (1960) - Worker *'' Rok pierwszy'' (1960) - Mlynarz *'' Kwiecień'' (1961) - Postman *''Koniec naszego świata'' (1964) - Blockfiihrer *'' Nieznany'' (1964) - Camp Postman *''

Pięciu ''Pięciu'' ("Five") is a 1964 Polish drama film directed by Paweł Komorowski. Cast * Marian Kociniak as Kazio * Andrzej Zaorski as Staszek * Bogusław Sochnacki as Rysiek * Ryszard Pietruski as Bernard Kalus * Tadeusz Kalinowski as Wala * ...

'' (1964) - Alfred Buchta *''Lenin v Polshe'' (1966) *''Sobótki'' (1966) *''Kochankowie z Marony'' (1966) - Fisherman (uncredited) *''Jowita'' (1967) - participant dressed as a pirate prom *''Sciana czarownic'' (1967) - Bartender *''Cala naprzód'' (1967) - Chief of Boat *''Stajnia na Salvatorze'' (1968) *''Shchit i mech'' (1968) *'' Kopernik'' (1973) - Uczestnik procesji mnicha Mateusza (uncredited) *''Opowiesc w czerwieni'' (1974) - Gamekeeper *'' The Promised Land'' (1975) - Zucker *''Czerwone i biale'' (1975) - Zyd *''Zofia'' (1976) - Kelner w mordowni *''Ptaki, ptakom...'' (1977) - Barcik *'' Amateur'' (1979) - Stanislaw Osuch, the head of Philip *''

Sekret Enigmy ''Sekret Enigmy'' (''The Secret of Enigma'') is a Polish historical film directed by Roman Wionczek. It was released in 1979. The film is based on Stanisław Strumph-Wojtkiewicz's book ''Sekret Enigmy''. Cast * Tadeusz Borowski as Marian Rejew ...

'' (1979) - Alexander Cadogan *''Umarli rzucaja cien'' (1979) - Dziadek *''Szansa'' (1979) - Teacher Molda *'' Placówka'' (1979) - Innkeeper Josef Szatzman *''Elegia'' (1979) - Old German *'' The family Gąsieniców'' (1979, TV Series) - Szymek Polowacz *''

Mission Mission (from Latin ''missio'' "the act of sending out") may refer to: Organised activities Religion *Christian mission, an organized effort to spread Christianity *Mission (LDS Church), an administrative area of The Church of Jesus Christ of ...

'' (1980, TV Series) - James Gutman *''Wsciekly'' (1980) - St. Okrzesik *''Zielone lata'' (1980) *''Na wlasna prosbe'' (1980) - Tomkowski *''Sowizdrzal Swietokrzyski'' (1980) - Florianek *''From a Far Country'' (1981) - Professor *''Krab i Joanna'' (1982) - Grzegorz Zaruba *''Do góry nogami'' (1983) *'' Oko proroka'' (1984) - Jost Fok *''

A Year of the Quiet Sun ''A Year of the Quiet Sun'' ( pl, Rok spokojnego słońca) is a 1984 Polish film written and directed by Krzysztof Zanussi and starring Maja Komorowska and Scott Wilson. It tells the story of a romance between a Polish woman and an American so ...

'' (1984) - English Doctor *''Nie bylo slonca tej wiosny'' (1984) - Josek *''Zánik samoty Berhof'' (1984) - Florian *''Mgla'' (1985) - Grandfather *''Przeklete oko proroka'' (1985) *''Medium'' (1985) - Ernest Wagner *''Wherever You Are...'' (1988) - Officer-Interpreter *'' La bottega dell'orefice'' (1988) - Professor (uncredited) *''

And the Violins Stopped Playing ''And the Violins Stopped Playing'' ( pl, italic=yes, I Skrzypce Przestały Grać) (1988) is a Polish/American historical drama film written, produced and directed by Alexander Ramati and based upon his biographical novel about an actual group ...

'' (1988) - Prof. Epstein *'' A Tale of Adam Mickiewicz's 'Forefathers' Eve''' (1989) - Choir *''Alchemik'' (1989) - Prince Kiejstut *''Kapital, czyli jak zrobic pieniadze w Polsce'' (1990) - Serafin *''Szwadron'' (1992) - Lejba *''

'' (1993) - Investor #2 *'' Three Colors: White'' (1994) - the old farmer *''Legenda Tatr'' (1995) - Innkeeper *''Lagodna'' (1995) - Shopkeeper *''Gnoje'' (1995) - Old Man Hrycko *''Brother of Our God'' ('' Our God's Brother'') (1997) - Anthony *''

Love Stories Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the lov ...

'' (1997) - Ankieter *''Egzekutor'' (1999) - Kozar *''Når nettene blir lange'' (2000) - Olek *'' Quo Vadis'' (2001) - Christian Crispus *''

Gebürtig ''Gebürtig'' is a 2002 Austrian drama film directed by Robert Schindel and Lukas Stepanik. It was selected as the Austrian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 75th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. Cast * Peter Simonisc ...

'' (2002) - Zwei alte Juden *''Eukaliptus'' (2002) - Pancho *''Julia returns home'' (2002) - Mieczyslaw 'Mietek' Makowsky *'' The Hexer'' (2002, TV Mini-Series) - Vesemir *'' The Revenge'' (2002) - Michal Kafar (bricklayer #1) *''Csoda Krakkóban'' (2004) - Grzegorz mester *'' Scratch'' (2008) - Leon *''Children of Irena Sendler'' (2009, TV Movie) - Elderey Rabbi *''Mistyfikacja'' (2010) - Askenazy *''Legenda o Lietajúcom Cypriánovi'' (2010) - Bernard *'' Obława'' (2012) - Wiarus *''Sierpniowe niebo. 63 dni chwaly'' (2013) - Leonard (final film role)

Awards and prizes

* Partisan Cross (1964) * Gold Cross of Merit (1979) * Gold Medal Gloria Artis (2008) * Gold Badge "for his contribution to Krakow" (1977) * Award at the Fourth National Festival of One Actor in

Wrocław Wrocław (; german: Breslau, or . ; Silesian German: ''Brassel'') is a city in southwestern Poland and the largest city in the historical region of Silesia. It lies on the banks of the River Oder in the Silesian Lowlands of Central Europe, rou ...

and in the one-woman show'' The real defense of Socrates'' Kostas Varnalisa in

Old Theatre Old or OLD may refer to: Places *Old, Baranya, Hungary *Old, Northamptonshire, England * Old Street station, a railway and tube station in London (station code OLD) *OLD, IATA code for Old Town Municipal Airport and Seaplane Base, Old Town, Ma ...

in Krakow (1969) * Emphasis on XXVI Festival of Polish Contemporary Art in Wroclaw for the role of the Father in the play'' Bruno'' Henry Dederko, dir. Andruckiego Jack (1987) * Award for the eighteenth Theatre in Opole Konfronracjach Opole for his role in'' The Marriage of the Jew'' Wyspiański, dir.

in the Old Theatre. Helena Modjeska in Cracow (1993) * Grand Prize at XXX National Review Teatrrów Small Form Hirsch for his role in the play'' Singer I am a Jew from "The Wedding" by the story''

Roman Brandstaetter Roman Brandstaetter (January 3, 1906 – September 28, 1987) was a Polish writer, poet, playwright, journalist and translator. Life and career Early life: 1906 –1940 Roman Brandstaetter was born in Tarnów, to a religious Jewish family, being t ...

directed. Tadeusz Malak in the Old Theatre. Helena Modjeska in Cracow (1995) * "Louis" – Krakow theater community award for the title role in the play'' Mr. Paul'' Dorst in the Association of Theatre "Steam" (2001) * Award for Comedy Festival Talia in Tarnow for his role in'' monodramie Womanish choice'' by'' The rock Podhale'' Casimir Break-Tetmajera from the Association "Moliere" in Cracow (2004) * Kraków Book of the Month – the award for his book'' The Book of Love'' (2010)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nowak, Jerzy 1923 births 2013 deaths Male actors from Kraków Polish educators Polish male film actors Polish male stage actors Recipients of the Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis Recipients of the Gold Cross of Merit (Poland) People from Brzesko Home Army members Burials at Rakowicki Cemetery