Josef Kemr's life began on a sunny June 20th, 1922, in the vibrant city of Prague, where his parents, a tailor and a shoemaker, instilled in him a deep appreciation for the arts from a young age. His father, a significant figure in his early life, nurtured his creative inclinations and passed down his remarkable talent for playing string instruments to his young son. As a child, Josef would often accompany his brother on stage, making his debut performance at the renowned Vinohradské divadlo in 1932. This marked the beginning of his journey into the world of theater, which would soon take him to the silver screen. In 1942, Josef enrolled in the Commercial School in Prague, but his passion for the performing arts soon led him to join the traveling theater company of A. Budínské – Červíčková, a decision that would occupy him from 1942 to 1945.
Josef's theatrical journey continued beyond his time with the traveling company, as he embarked on a series of performances at various esteemed theaters, commencing with a three-year stint at Divadlo na Kladně from 1945 to 1947.
The iconic bust of the illustrious Josef Kemr, a renowned figure in the realm of Czech theater, stands majestically in the foyer of the National Theatre, a permanent reminder of his profound impact and lasting influence on the world of the performing arts.
