Andrzej Bogucki facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Andrzej Bogucki
Bogucki on the screen.
Born	(1904-11-11)11 November 1904 Warsaw, Poland
Died	29 July 1978(1978-07-29) (aged 73) Warsaw, Poland
Resting place	Powązki Cemetery, Warsaw
Nationality	Polish
Occupation	Actor, singer, songwriter
Known for	Own career and for helping pianist Władysław Szpilman
Spouse(s)	Janina Bogucka

Andrzej Bogucki (born November 11, 1904 – died July 29, 1978) was a famous Polish actor, singer, and songwriter. He worked in television, on stage, and in films. Some people even called him "The Polish Chevalier" because of his talent.

Andrzej Bogucki and his wife, Janina (born March 8, 1908 – died June 19, 1992), are well-known for their bravery. During the German occupation of Poland in World War II, they helped and hid the Polish Jewish pianist Władysław Szpilman. Szpilman's amazing story later became the basis for the 2002 movie The Pianist. Both Bogucki and his wife were shown in the film.

Bogucki lived in Warsaw for most of his life. He lived in the Mariensztat area from 1947 until he passed away. He is buried in the Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw.

For his career and his actions during World War II, Bogucki received a special award called the Order of Polonia Restituta. In 1978, the Yad Vashem institute gave him and his wife the Righteous Among the Nations award. This award honors non-Jewish people who helped Jewish people during the German persecution.

Early Life and Beginnings

Andrzej Bogucki came from a family deeply involved in theater. His parents, Stanisław Bogucki and Róża Bogucka-Rapacka, were both actors. His grandfather, Wincenty Rapacki, was also a famous Polish actor and director.

Bogucki trained to be a cavalry officer in Grudziądz. He was good at horse riding competitions. He became an officer in the Polish Army. He served in the 7th Regiment Cavalry. In 1929, he left the army for health reasons. That same year, he started acting in plays for children. From then on, he focused on his acting career.

Heroic Actions During World War II

During World War II, Bogucki and his wife were part of the Polish resistance movement. This group worked against the German occupation. It was called the Armia Krajowa (Home Army).

In February 1944, they were contacted by their friend, the pianist Władysław Szpilman. Szpilman was a slave laborer in the Warsaw Ghetto. He knew the Germans were planning to kill even the slave workers. Most other Jewish people had already been sent to Treblinka.

With help from Bogucki, Szpilman escaped the ghetto. He then hid on the non-Jewish side of Warsaw. Bogucki, Janina, and others, including Czesław Lewicki, helped Szpilman survive the war. About thirty non-Jewish Poles helped Szpilman during that time. His survival story became the basis for the 2002 film The Pianist.

After the war, in the 1950s, Szpilman wrote songs especially for Andrzej and Janina. One popular song was Czerwony autobus (Red bus).

Bogucki received the Order of Polonia Restituta for his actions during the war. In 1978, he and his wife were given the Righteous Among the Nations award by the Yad Vashem institute. This award honors non-Jewish people who helped Jewish people during the German persecution.

His Work in Entertainment

On Stage

Bogucki started his stage career on April 30, 1930. He performed at the Polish Theatre in Warsaw for three years. He also worked at the New Comedy Theater. He performed in theaters in other cities like Łódź and Kraków.

After World War II, he returned to the stage. He performed at the Polish Army Theatre in Łódź from 1945 to 1947. He then worked in several other theaters. This included the National Theater, Warsaw, where he performed from 1969 until his death in 1978.

As a Singer

Bogucki began his singing career in 1931 at the Banda Theater. He stayed there for a year. His unique singing voice made him very popular.

After 1945, he continued to write songs. Many of his songs became hits on the radio. He worked for the Polish Radio for a long time. He was also a presenter, singer, and reciter for Radio Theatre of the Imagination. He helped make music and literature popular.

Film and Television Roles

Andrzej Bogucki appeared in many films and television shows throughout his career.

Selected Films

• 1933 – His Excellency, The Shop Assistant
• 1936 – Bolek i Lolek
• 1939 – Złota Maska
• 1939 – The Vagabonds
• 1953 – Żołnierz zwycięstwa
• 1956 – Nikodem Dyzma
• 1970 – Epilog norymberski

Television Theatre

Bogucki also performed in many plays shown on television.

• 1955 – Wesele
• 1965 – Skąpiec
• 1969 – Mieszczanin szlachcicem
• 1972 – Elektra

Television Series

He also had roles in popular television series.

• 1968 – Stawka większa niż życie
• 1973 – Janosik (TV series)
• 1975 – Czterdziestolatek
• 1977 – Noce i dnie (TV series)
• 1977 – Lalka (TV series)

See also

• List of recipients of the Order of Polonia Restituta