Actor

Zdeněk Svěrák

1936

Who they are

Born: 28 March 1936, Prague, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic]
Known for: Kolya, The Elementary School, My Sweet Little Village

Zdeněk Svěrák is a Prague-born Czech actor, screenwriter and humorist, one of the country's best-loved cultural figures. He wrote and starred in Kolya and The Elementary School, both directed by his son Jan. With Ladislav Smoljak he created the fictional genius Jára Cimrman.

Where to start

Kolya (1996)Full guide
Screenplay and lead role in the Czech hit directed by his son Jan; it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The Elementary School (1991)Log in to add it to the library
Another script for Jan Svěrák, a warm postwar childhood story that earned an Academy Award nomination.
My Sweet Little Village (1985)Log in to add it to the library
Gentle village comedy directed by Jiří Menzel, a showcase of his everyday, humane humour.
Marecek, Pass Me the Pen! (1976)Log in to add it to the library
Classroom comedy from his writing partnership with Ladislav Smoljak, beloved in Czech film culture.
Empties (2007)In the library
Late-career collaboration with Jan Svěrák, again combining his writing and acting.

Their films in the library

Awards

No major personal awards are documented here; he served on the jury of the 1989 Berlin International Film Festival.

The full list · 77

1968Crime in the Night ClubLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Prokurátor
1969Stopa vede do LiptákovaLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1971You Are a Widow, SirLog in to add it to the libraryActor as kritik v divadle
1971Lucie and the MiraclesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Constable (voice)
1971Moderní bytLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1971Silvestr 71Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1974Joachim, Put It in the MachineLog in to add it to the libraryActor as podnikový psycholog Klásek
1976Marecek, Pass Me the Pen!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Šlajs
1976Secluded, Near WoodsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Lavička
197730 Maidens and PythagorasLog in to add it to the libraryActor as profesor (uncredited)
1979Ball LightningLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Ječný
1979Silvestr 79 aneb Hrajeme si jako dětiLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1980BrontosaurusLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Bobr
1981Run, Waiter, Run!Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Pařízek
1981The HitLog in to add it to the libraryActor as scénárista Jíša
1981ChainLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Mikeš (voice)
1982CalamityLog in to add it to the libraryActor as učitel
1982Basically NormalLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1982Like RabbitsLog in to add it to the libraryActor as otec Dusek
1983Jára Cimrman Lying, SleepingLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Jára Cimrman
1983Hearty Greetings from the GlobeLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1984The Three VeteransLog in to add it to the libraryActor as ministr
1984The Snowdrop FestivalLog in to add it to the libraryActor as řidič trabanta
1984Bridal Tour to JiljiLog in to add it to the libraryActor as průvodčí
1984InzerátLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1985My Sweet Little VillageLog in to add it to the libraryActor as malíř
1985How Poets Are Losing Their IllusionsLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1985Dissolved and EffusedLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Jelínek
1985What's Up Doc?Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Bohouš Burda
1986As Good as PoisonLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Pavel Hnyk
1986The HornsLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1987Narostl mu hřebínekLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Vypravěč
1988An Uncertain SeasonLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1989ChirurgieLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1990Larks on a StringLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1990Tvrdý chlebaLog in to add it to the libraryActor
1991The Elementary SchoolLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Fan Souček, Eda's dad
1991Dobytí severního póluLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Teaching Assistant / Lecturer
1994Accumulator 1Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Fišárek
1994The RideLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Driver
1996KolyaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as František Louka
1997Ruffiano and SweeteethLog in to add it to the libraryActor as vypravěč
1997LijavecLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Inspektor starobinců
1997The Stand InLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Vavroch
1997Pub in the GladeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Taverner
1997Dumb Bobes, or Czech TarzanLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Physician
1997CimrmaniLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
1998Investigation of the Loss of a Class BookLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Teacher
1998The NudeLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Turnovský
2002AfricaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Dr. Emil Žába
2002Já a moji synové...Log in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2004DaddyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2005Pocta V+WLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2006Cimrman in the World of MusicLog in to add it to the libraryActor as colonel "Colonel"
2007EmptiesLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Josef Tkaloun
2007The Conquest of the North PoleLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Teaching Assistant
2007Long, Broad and NearsightLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Clever-eyesighted
200740 let Divadla Járy Cimrmana aneb Ze hry do hryLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2008Czech HeavenLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Jan Ámos Komenský
2008Anatomie gaguLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2010KookyLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Hergot (voice)
2010Nepřítelem osuduLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Narrator
2011Fimfarum - To the good of allLog in to add it to the libraryComposer
2012The Presence of Arnošt LustigLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2014Three BrothersLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Vypravěč
2016OperkyLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2017BarefootLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Headmaster
2017Psaní do nebeLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2019My FreedomLog in to add it to the libraryDirector
2022Bethlehem LightLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Karel Šejnoha
2022Chinaski: Každej ví kulovýLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2023Perspektiva Ivana MládkaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2023Léta s Jaromírem HanzlíkemLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2023Kouzelný kopecLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self
2024Cimrmani zblízkaLog in to add it to the libraryActor
2026Zdeněk Svěrák 90Log in to add it to the libraryActor
2026The Invisible Jan GogolaLog in to add it to the libraryActor as Self

Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.