Jiřina Bohdalová
May 3, 1931
Jiřina Bohdalová is a Czech actress.
She was born into the family of carpenter František Bohdal and his wife Marie, née Brunnerová. His mother worked as a maid and devoted herself to amateur theater. In 1954, her father was sentenced to 15 years in prison for aiding and abetting high treason when he helped the former minister Ladislav Karel Feierabend to emigrate. He spent 7 years in the Valdice prison and in 2016 he received a certificate of participation in the anti-communist resistance from the Ministry of Defence in memoriam.
After elementary school in Prague's Žižkov district, she graduated from a girls' grammar school and after graduating in 1949 she started working as a teacher at an elementary school in Ostrava for three years. From her childhood, she was attracted to the theatre; Her mother's work in an amateur theater ensemble, an application to a ballet school and also to film extras had an influence. At the age of six, she made her film debut in the silent film Pižla and Žižla on the road (1937); other children's roles were in the films Golden Man (1939) and Madla Sings to Europe (1940).
She applied to the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts (DAMU), but was only accepted on her third attempt. She briefly interrupted her studies for family reasons, and after her return she graduated from DAMU (in 1957) and completed her studies with a role in the graduation performance Josefina. She began her theatrical career alongside Jan Werich at the ABC Theatre and later at the Prague City Theatres. Since 1967 she has been a member of the Vinohrady Theatre. In 1985 she was named a Meritorious Artist. She collaborates a lot with television, together with Vladimír Dvořák she presented Televarieté and performed in popular scenes.
From the films she has made, let us mention for example: The Ear, 1969, Lady on the Rails, 1966, You Can't Hit a Woman with a Flower, 1967, The White Lady, 1965, Men of the World, 1969, A Star Called Wormwood, 1964; Pěnička a Paraplíčko, 1970; Women Offside, 1971; Bulldogs and Cherries, 1981; Laughter Sticks to Your Heels, 1986; Immortal Aunt, 1993; Fany, 1995 etc.
She also appeared in series, e.g. Man at the Town Hall, 1976; F.L.Věk, 1971; Cottagers, 1975; We All School Obligatory, 1984; Flying Čestmír, 1984; Circus Humberto, 1988; Girlfriend from the House of Sorrow, 1993; Police Humoresques, 2000; Pojišťovna štěstí (Happiness Insurance Company), 2004-2008;
Appreciation: 1968 – Award for Outstanding Work. 1985 – Merited artist. Before 1989 – several times winner in the Best Actress category in the audience poll Television Jingle Bell. 1993 – Czech Lion Award: actress in a leading role (film Immortal Aunt). 1995 – Czech Lion Award: actress in a leading role (film Fany). 1993 to 2002 – TýTý: ten times won in the Actress category. 2000 – Poll: King of the Film Smile of the Century – 3rd place (behind Vlasta Burian and Vladimír Menšík). 2005 – Zlín Film Festival: Golden Slipper for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema for Children and Youth. 2010 – TýTý: inducted into the Hall of Fame. 2010 – Thalia: Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of drama. 2013 – Medal of Merit, 1st degree (2013). 2021 - Order of the White Lion, 1st class.