Daniel Olbrychski

Daniel Marcel Olbrychski is a renowned Polish film and theatre actor, born 27 February 1945. Recognized as one of the greatest Polish actors of his generation, Olbrychski has been active in the entertainment industry since 1964. His expansive filmography includes 180 films and TV productions, with notable performances in several Andrzej Wajda movies, including The Promised Land. He also gained international acclaim for his portrayal of defector and spymaster Vassily Orlov, opposite Angelina Jolie, in the Hollywood film, Salt. His acting education was undertaken at the Stefan Batory Gymnasium and Lyceum in Warsaw. He won his first major award as Best Actor at the 7th Moscow International Film Festival in 1971 for his role in The Birch Wood. Olbrychski's undeniable talent has landed him leading roles in globally successful films like Volker Schlöndorff's The Tin Drum and the film adaptation of The Unbearable Lightness of Being. In 1986, he received the French Legion of Honor, and in 2007, the prestigious Stanislavsky Award. Beyond acting, Olbrychski was also an accomplished athlete, demonstrating remarkable skills as a horse-rider, a boxer, and in fencing, allowing him to perform many of his own stunts. Throughout his illustrious career, Olbrychski has appeared in five Academy Award-nominated films, two of which won the coveted accolade (The Tin Drum, 1979 and Dangerous Moves, 1984). He has been married three times and has fathered three children. In his personal life, he is known to be supportive of the LGBT community and is praised for his fluency in French. His penchant for boxing extends beyond his professional life and is pursued as a hobby.