Film and theatre actor, and professor of theatre arts Jerzy Stuhr has died at the age of 77, an employee of the Stary Theater in Krakow, with which he was associated, confirmed to PAP. Stuhr was struggling with a serious illness.

„We received this sad information today,” Barbara Kwiatkowska of the National Old Theater told the Polish Press Agency.

The well-known actor had recently been struggling with a serious illness. He suffered a stroke in 2020 and a heart attack twice in earlier years. In 2011, he was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer.

Jerzy Stuhr was born in Krakow on April 18, 1947, and was associated with the city all his life. He studied Polish literature at Jagiellonian University and acting at the State Higher School of Theatre in Krakow. He was also a professor and rector of the Krakow Theatre School.

Audiences know him for his numerous film and theatre roles. He played his most famous roles in „Seksmisja”, „Kiler”, „Wodzirej”, „Amator” and „Obywatel Piszczek”.

He was also well-known to the younger generation of film viewers as a voice actor. He was famous for his Polish dubbing role of the Donkey in “Shrek” and many other works.

His artistic merits have been recognised with numerous awards, including the Gold Medal for „Service to Culture Gloria Artis”, the Commander’s Cross with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta and the „Honoris Gratia” Badge.

“I have always believed that since I am endowed with certain abilities that others are not, I must serve people in every shape and form, from carefree laughter to emotion and horror. This is my whole mission,” the actor said describing his professional life. 

Photo: X @thepolandnews_

Tomasz Modrzejewski