Famous Slovak Actor Labuda Dies Aged 73
Bratislava, January 5 (TASR) – Well-known Slovak actor Marian Labuda died at the age of 73 on Friday, Slovak National Theatre spokesperson Izabela Pazitkova has confirmed for TASR.
Aktuality.sk website was first to report about the actor’s death.
Born on October 28, 1944 in Hontianske Nemce (Banska Bystrica region), Labuda worked in the Slovak National Theatre and starred in dozens of films and TV series. One of his memorable performances was his role in the Czechoslovak cult comedy Vesnicko ma strediskova (My Sweet Little Village, 1985). He further starred in famous Slovak and Czech movies, such as Zahrada (The Garden, 1995), Kral Ubu (King Ubu, 1996), Obsluhoval jsem anglickeho krale (I Served The King Of England, 2006) and others.
Labuda Sr. received a number of accolades, including the Czech Lion for the best supporting actor in the Slovak movie The Garden in 1995, the Culture Minister Award for his extraordinary contribution towards the development of Slovak art in 2004 as well as Pribina’s cross Second Class for significant merits in culture in 2005.
Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has expressed his sincere sympathy to the mourning family of late Slovak theatre and film star. “It was with deep regret that I received the news that another great actor has passed away, Marian Labuda. We have all admired his art of acting in a myriad of Slovak films and in the theatres,” stated Fico in a statement he sent to the media.
According to the premier, Marian Labuda belonged among the artists who never feared to express their opinion on social and political events and who actively participated in forming the conscience of society. “May the Slovak ground be light to you, maestro,” he wrote.
President Andrej Kiska also joined the condolences by saying that Labuda was an one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable artist, who had not only a talent but also courage to spoke up always when it was needed.
Kiska on Facebook pointed out that the deceased Labuda also participated in the Velvet revolution movement in November 1989. “At a time when it was not clear at all how it would all come out,” added the president, noting that he’ll never forget Labuda’s humour and perspective.
“He was an idol of many generations of actors and we, audience, have never thought that he wouldn’t be here once. And now we can hardly imagine that. May he rest in peace,” concluded the head of state.
