Josef Somr | |
|---|---|
 Somr in 2008 | |
| Born | (1934-04-14)14 April 1934 |
| Died | 16 October 2022(2022-10-16) (aged 88) Nová Ves pod Pleší, Czech Republic |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1966–2022 |
Josef Somr (14 April 1934 – 16 October 2022) was a Czech actor. He was noted for starring in the Oscar-winning 1966 filmClosely Watched Trains, as well as inThe Joke.
Somr was born inVracov,Czechoslovakia,[1][2] on 14 April 1934.[3] He studied at theJanáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, graduating in 1956.[2]
Somr started his acting career at various regional theatres, before becoming a part ofThe Drama Club inPrague. There, he received roles in productions directed byLadislav Smocek,Jan Kačer, andJiří Menzel.[2] He began acting in films starting in the mid-1960s, making his film debut inAccused (1964).[3] His following role saw him play the libidinous train dispatcher Hubička inClosely Watched Trains by Menzel.[3][4] Film criticJohn Simon described Somr's performance as "so spontaneous, unconcerned, and complete … that it affects our entire sensorium – finger tips, nostrils, and palate no less than eyes and ears".[5] The film won theAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language Film inApril 1968.[6] Somr subsequently played scientist Ludvík Jahn in the lead role ofThe Joke (1969) byJaromil Jireš.[3][7] He went on to feature inPoslední propadne peklu under directorLudvík Ráža in 1982.[8][9]
According to Michal Bregant – who headed theCzech Film Archive – Somr preferred acting in theatre,[3] despite having roles in over 170 films.[2] This was because he disliked revealing his face in profile, which was captured more easily on camera.[3] He joined theNational Theatre drama ensemble in 1978, on the invitation ofMiroslav Macháček. He played the marshal inThe White Disease byKarel Čapek, as well as the town councillor Jakub Busek inNaši furianti. Somr's portrayal of Mister Frantisek inRomance pro křídlovku garnered him aThalia Award in 1998.[2] He also didvoice acting for radio, audiobooks, and poetry readings, and featured in film adaptations of Czechfairy tales.[3]
Somr was married to Alena Somrová until his death. He died on 16 October 2022 at Na Pleši hospital inNová Ves pod Pleší.[10] He was 88 years old.[2][3]
Somr was conferred theMedal of Merit byVáclav Havel in 2005. Seven years later, he received theCzech Lion Award for Unique Contribution to Czech Film.[2] He was subsequently bestowed alifetime achievement award at the 2014Thalia Awards for his theatre work.[2][11]
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