Marian Kociniak

Marian Kociniak (; 11 January 1936 – 17 March 2016) was a film, television, voice and radio actor and comedian. He was best known from portraying Franciszek Dolas, a main character in the 1969 film How I Unleashed World War II. Kociniak also had main and secondary roles in films such as Morning Stars, Danton (1983), Fucha, Bermuda Triangle (1987), Circus is Leaving (1987), Yesterday Goodbye (1993), Sir Thaddeus (1999), Kalipso (2000), and The Last Action (2009), as well as in television series such as Janosik (1974), Jan Serce (1981), Sukces (1995), and The Deep End (2013).

Biography Marian Kociniak was born on 11 January 1936 in Warsaw, Poland.

He graduated from the engine manufacturing vocational school, and in 1958, from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw. He was a student of Ludwik Sempoliński. From 1959 to 2010, he acted in the Ateneum Theatre, and from 2010 to 2013, in the Wola Theatre.

His film debut was in 1960, when he had a small uncredited role in Innocent Sorcerers. Kociniak became best known from portraying Franciszek Dolas, a main character in the 1969 film How I Unleashed World War II. He also had main and secondary roles in films such as Morning Stars (1979), Danton (1983), Fucha, Bermuda Triangle (1987), Circus is Leaving (1987), Yesterday Goodbye (1993), Sir Thaddeus (1999), Kalipso (2000), and The Last Action (2009), as well as in television series such as Janosik (1974), Jan Serce (1981), Sukces (1995), and The Deep End (2013).

Additionally Kociniak acted in numerous plays of Polish Television.

In 2003, during the 8th Festival of Stars in Międzyzdroje, Kociniak has unveiled his plaque at the Promenade of Stars walk of fame.

Throughout his career, he completely refused giving interviews. The exception was made for TVP Info in 2010, in light of the 50th anniversary of his work in the industry. In April 2010, was also published book Spełniony by Remigiusz Grzela, consisting of the interview with him. Kociniak retired from acting in 2013.

He was an honorary member of the campaign support committee of Bronisław Komorowski during the 2010 and 2015 presidential elections in Poland.

Kociniak died in a Warsaw hospital on 17 March 2016, at the age of 80. He was buried on 23 March 2016, next to his wife, at the Warsaw Evangelical Reformed Cemetery.

Private life For over 50 years he was married to film editor Grażyna Kociniak (died 2016). Together they had a daughter, Weronika, and he was also a stepfather to his wife's son, Piotr.

He was also a cousin of actor Jan Kociniak.

Filmography Films

Television series Year Title Role Notes1965 Wyzywajem ogoń na siebja Jan Tyma Stawka większa niż życie Piotr Episode: "Wróg jest wszędzie" (no. 1) 1966 Wojna domowa Edek Episode: "Dzień matki" (no. 9) 1974 Janosik Burgrave 13 episodes 1981 Jan Serce Piotr Krukowski 8 episodes 1995 Sukces Dydak Main role; 9 episodes 2001 Myszka Walewska Ryszard Tomczyk Main role; 3 episodes 2012 Spadkobiercy Harriet and Harry Ferguson's father 1 episode 2013 The Deep End Professor 3 episodes

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2003 Jak rozpętałem drugą wojnę światową Franciszek Dolas Voice

Awards and decorations

Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2001) Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1988)