About

Known credits:
44
Birthday:
1934-03-08
Place of birth:
Zvolen, Slovakia
Website:
N/A

František Velecký

Overview

Velecký was a very particular figure of Slovak acting, being antipode to venerated mainstream showbiz celebrities. Although he had never received any formal training in acting, he managed to earn great respect of both filmmakers and audience members.

He performed in some 50 Slovak, Czech, German, Hungarian and UK/US movies, but he will be most remembered for portraying the lead character of Mikoláš in the Czech movie Marketa Lazarová.

Velecký was born 8 March 1934 in Zvolen. He originally studied civil engineering and worked as a designer for few years. However, since his early age he was attracted by the world of cinema and finally in his 30s managed to get his first major roles.

Practically at the beginning of his acting career, after a few minor films including Každý týždeň sedem dní (1964) and Nylonový mesiac (1965), he received the role of his lifetime in Marketa Lazarová (1966). This experience deeply influenced the rest of his life.

In interviews, he described with gratitude how the director František Vláčil completely changed his way of seeing the world during the long production of this movie.

Despite the impact the role had on the film (widely considered the best Czech cinema) and on his life, Velecký would probably be more recognized by Western audiences for his appearances in The Brothers Grimm (released 2005) and the Academy Award-nominated Želary (2003).

For most of his career, Velecký was free of any theatre company ties except being briefly associated with the Theatre of Spišká Nová Ves in the 1980s.

During his professional career, Velecký was not limited to acting. He was assistant director to Juraj Jakubisko on the film Zbehovia a pútnici (1968) and he applied his talent in fine arts during the 1990s.

Velecký died of cancer 5 October 2003 in Bratislava.

Known for

Acting
2005 The Brothers Grimm Actor Old Crone 58
Average
2003 Sentiment Actor 59
Average
2000 Rojkovia Actor Obšivan (voice) N/A
N/A
2000 Slečna Dušehojivá Actor N/A
N/A
1993 Zlý žart Actor N/A
N/A
1987 The Water of Life Actor Čiernobradý 59
Average
1987 Kto ste, Jozef Gabčík Actor N/A
N/A
1985 Birthmark Actor 69
Fair
1985 Another Love Actor Gambler N/A
N/A
1984 Na druhom brehu sloboda Actor N/A
N/A
1984 Právom lásky Actor N/A
N/A
1984 Magma Actor N/A
N/A
1983 Na konci diaľnice Actor N/A
N/A
1982 Crainquebille Actor Judge Bourriche N/A
N/A
1980 Ako listy jedného stromu Actor N/A
N/A
1980 Nebezpečné známosti Actor N/A
N/A
1979 Smrť chodí po horách Actor 59
Average
1978 On the Great River Actor Pazour 59
Average
1977 Bludička Actor N/A
N/A
1976 Pacho, the Brigand of Hybe Actor 59
Average
1975 Horúčka Actor Cirbes N/A
N/A
1974 Unruly Heyducks Actor 59
Average
1974 Pätnásť životov Actor N/A
N/A
1974 Zločin v Modré hvězdě Actor 59
Average
1973 Love Actor Petr Brukner 59
Average
1973 Sons of Fire Actor N/A
N/A
1972 The Stolen Battle Actor de la Motte 59
Average
1972 Noc labutí Actor N/A
N/A
1972 Šaty Actor 59
Average
1972 Čierny gróf Actor N/A
N/A
1971 Prince Bajaja Actor Black Prince 59
Average
1971 Husaren in Berlin Actor 59
Average
1970 Noc s mačkou Actor N/A
N/A
1970 Sweet Games of Late Summer Actor Rotschild 59
Average
1970 Rajský plyn Actor N/A
N/A
1969 Palm Sunday Actor Simon N/A
N/A
1969 Prague Nights Actor (segment "Otrávená travička") 59
Average
1969 Stopy na Sitne Actor Jožo Truska 59
Average
1968 Niet inej cesty Actor N/A
N/A
1967 Marketa Lazarová Actor Mikoláš, Kozlík's son 63
Fair
1966 Nylon Moon Actor Andrej Bardoň 59
Average
1964 Prípad pre obhajcu Actor 59
Average
1964 Every Week Seven Days Actor Andrej N/A
N/A

Directing
1968 The Deserter and the Nomads Directing First Assistant Director 59
Average