Person Biography:
Jiří Velecký was a Slovak actor who left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. Born on March 8, 1934, in Zvolen, Slovakia, he began his career in civil engineering, working as a designer for several years before his true passion for acting took over.
Velecký's journey into the world of cinema was unconventional, to say the least. With no formal training in acting, he managed to earn the respect of both filmmakers and audience members alike. Throughout his illustrious career, he appeared in over 50 films, including Slovak, Czech, German, Hungarian, and UK/US productions.
One of his most iconic roles was that of Mikoláš in the Czech movie Marketa Lazarová. This experience had a profound impact on his life, and he often credited the director, František Vláčil, with changing his perspective on the world during the long production of the film.
In addition to his acting career, Velecký was also involved in fine arts during the 1990s. He even served as an assistant director to Juraj Jakubisko on the film Zbehovia a pútnici in 1968.
Velecký's impressive career spanned several decades, and he worked with some of the most renowned directors in the industry. Despite his limited association with theatre companies, he managed to make a lasting impression on the world of cinema.
Sadly, Velecký passed away on October 5, 2003, in Bratislava, Slovakia, after a battle with cancer.
