Vladek Sheybal

Vladek Sheybal, born as Władysław Rudolf Zbigniew Sheybal on March 12, 1923 in Zgierz, Poland, was a versatile Polish character actor, singer and director of both television and stage productions. He gained recognition for his portrayal of the chess grandmaster Kronsteen in the James Bond film From Russia with Love. His talent resonated with Sean Connery, who personally recommended him for the role. Sheybal also made a hit as Otto Leipzig in Smiley's People, had recurring roles as Dr. Douglas Jackson in Gerry Anderson's UFO, Captain Ferreira in the NBC miniseries Shōgun, and as Gen. Bratchenko in the 1984 version of Red Dawn. In addition to acting, he served as the director of the Bromley Little Theatre in 1960, and thrived as a director for opera and theatre adaptations on British television in the early 1960s, including acclaimed works for ITV Play of the Week in 1961 and 1962. Sheybal's powerful performances were not limited to the small screen. He ensured a successful British cinema debut playing Kronsteen in From Russia with Love and left a tremendous impact in the film industry with his roles in Casino Royale, Doppelgänger, The Last Valley, Puppet on a Chain, Innocent Bystanders, The Wind and the Lion, The Lady Vanishes, Fire and Sword, and Red Dawn. His life was not all smooth sailing, having been imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp at 16 and escaping twice. Despite such grim experiences, he turned his pain to power and emerged successful in his acting career. His final stage appearance was as Friedrich Nietzsche in the Pierre Bourgeade play The Eagle and the Serpent. Sheybal passed away on October 16, 1992, in London, England, from a ruptured aortic aneurysm.