Janusz Gajos

Janusz Gajos (; born 23 September 1939) 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.

He is the recipient of numerous awards and honours including the Gold Cross of Merit (1974), 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), and Diamond Lions Award at the Gdynia Film Festival (2015).

Life and career 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. He debuted while he was still in film school in children's film Panienka z okienka directed by Maria Kaniewska in 1964.

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.

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

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

Filmography

Solid Gold (2019), as CBŚ officer Nowicki Clergy (2018), as archbishop Mordowicz Kamerdyner (2018), as Bazyli Miotke Breaking the Limits (2017) Blindness (2016) Body (2015) The Closed Circuit as Andrzej Kostrzewa Ekipa, as former Prime Minister Henryk Nowasz Jasminum (2006) as monk Zdrówko Pitbull (2005) Hamlet (2004/II) (TV), as Claudius Treasure Planet (2002), as John Silver (voice, Polish Dub) Zemsta (2002) The Revenge, as Cześnik Maciej Raptusiewicz Chopin: Desire for Love (2002), as Grand Duke Constantine Pavlovich Romanov: Tam i z powrotem (2002) There and Back, as Andrzej Hoffman Przedwiośnie (2001) The Spring to Come, as Seweryn Baryka, father of Cezary Weiser (2001), as Antiquarian Żółty szalik (2000) (TV) To ja, złodziej (2000) It's Me, the Thief, as Roman Wyskocz Ostatnia misja (2000) The Last Mission, as Police Inspector Egzekutor (1999), as Kowalik Fuks (1999), as Policeman Szczęśliwego Nowego Jorku (1997) Happy New York, as Professor Czas zdrady (1997), as Messer Niccolo Poznań 56 (1996), as Professor Revenge of the Musketeers (1994), as D'Artagnan (voice, Polish Dub) Akwarium (1996) as Nikolay Kravcov Łagodna (1995) A Gentle Woman, as He Śmierć jak kromka chleba (1994) Death like a Slice of Bread, as Miodek Three Colors: White (1994), as Mikołaj Straszny sen Dzidziusia Górkiewicza (1993) The Terrible Dream of Babyface Gorkiewicz Szwadron (1993) Squadron Coupable d'innocence (1992) When Reason Sleeps Pigs (1992), as Major SB "Siwy" Gross Escape from the 'Liberty' Cinema (1991), as Cenzor Stan wewnętrzny (1990) Inner State Dekalog (1989) The Decalogue (mini) TV Series, as Michał Piłkarski poker (1989) Soccer Poker, as Referee Jan Laguna Dekalog, cztery (1988) (TV) Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother, as Michał Big Bang (1986) (TV), as Janek Hamlet we wsi Głucha Dolna (1985) (TV) Rok spokojnego słońca (1984) The Year of the Quiet Sun, as Moonlighter (1984) After Your Decrees, as Driver Alternatywy 4 (1983) TV Series, as Jan Winnicki Gwiezdny pył (1982) Limuzyna Daimler-Benz (1982) The Consul, as Kuschmerek Nieciekawa historia (1982) Uninteresting Story Interrogation (1982) Interrogation, as Major UB "Kąpielowy" Zawada From a Far Country (1981) Z dalekiego kraju Man of Iron (1981) Man of Iron, as Committee vice-chairman Wahadełko (1981) Shilly-Shally The War of the Worlds: Next Century (1981) The Orchestra Conductor (1980), as High Official Kontrakt (1980) The Contract, as Bolesław Bartoszuk Kung-Fu (1979), as Editor-in-Chief Maciek What Will You Do When You Catch Me? (1978), as Supermarket Manager (1978) Millionaire, as Józef Mikuła Mgła (1976) The Fog Wakacje z duchami (1970) TV Series, as Antoniusz Bicz boży (1967) God's Whip, as Kleń Stajnia na Salwatorze (1967) Stall on Salvador Barrier (1966) (uncredited), as Tram Driver with Letter "E" Czterej pancerni i pies (1966) TV Series, as Pvt./Cpl./Sgt./Lt. Jan Kos The Codes (1966), as White monk Panienka z okienka (1964)