Polish actor Janusz Michałowski, famed for 'Seksmisja' and 'Vabank', dies at 89
The theater and film performer, best known for his roles in Juliusz Machulski's comedies and the TV series 'Plebania', was 89.
Janusz Michałowski, a Polish theatre, film and television actor whose career spanned over six decades, has died at the age of 89. His death was announced on 12 June 2026 by his nephew, director Wojtek Ziemilski, and by institutions including the Contemporary Theatre in Warsaw, where Michałowski had been a company member since 1999.
Stage roots and breakthrough
Michałowski was born on 1 January 1937 in Augustów, Poland. After graduating from the State Higher Theatre School in Warsaw in 1960, he performed at theatres in Koszalin, Toruń, Kalisz and Poznań before moving to Warsaw stages, including the Ateneum Theatre (1991–1999) and, from 1999, the Contemporary Theatre. His Television Theatre work brought acclaim, including roles as Korowiow in “The Master and Margarita”, Baszmaczkin in “The Overcoat”, and Torquemada in “Darkness Covers the Earth” – the latter directed by his wife, Izabella Cywińska.
Film and television popularity
Wider audiences knew Michałowski through iconic film and serial roles. He played police commissioner Karelicki in the cult comedy “Vabank”, the sinister professor Wiktor Kuppelweisser in “Seksmisja”, Kazimierz Lulewicz in “Boża podszewka”, and doctor Jakub Blumental in the long-running series “Plebania”. His filmography also includes “Lawa”, “Erratum”, “Faustyna”, “Kochankowie z Marony” and “Darmozjad polski”.
Awards and collaborations
For his Television Theatre achievements Michałowski twice received the Chairman of the Committee for Radio and Television award. He was decorated with the Golden Cross of Merit and named a “Meritorious Cultural Activist”. He collaborated with directors such as Juliusz Machulski, Wojciech Jerzy Has, Tadeusz Konwicki and Maciej Wojtyszko.
Personal life and legacy
Michałowski was married to Izabella Cywińska, one of Poland’s most prominent theatre and television directors and a former Minister of Culture, who died on 23 December 2023. Ziemilski described his uncle as an introvert who avoided public situations, preferring to stay at home and restore oil lamps, amassing what he called “the most wonderful collection in Poland”.
He will remain in our memory not only thanks to his excellent roles, but also as a man full of class, kindness and devotion to art.
Uncle Janusz was an introvert, he didn’t like public situations, parties. He preferred to sit at home and tinker with his oil lamps — he most likely had the most wonderful collection in Poland. He recited poems like no one in the world.
