Born: 17 September, 1912, Warsaw, Poland
Died: 3 March 2011 Konstancin-Jeziorna, Poland
Early days. Her father was a printer and a bibliophile. She finished Klementyna Hoffmanowa Memorial High School (gimnazjum) in Warsaw. In 1935 she graduated from the Panstwowy Instytut Sztuki Teatralnej (National Theatrical Arts Institute).
Career. Until the outbreak of the World War II, Kwiatkowska debuted in the theater Cyrulik Warszawski in Warsaw and she appeared in the Teatr Powszechny in Warsaw, Teatr Nowy in Poznan, Teatr Polski in Katowice, and in Wilno. During the War she worked in the kitchen of ZASP (an underground actor's union), fought in the Armia Krajowa (Home Army) and participated in the Warsaw Uprising. Kwiatkowska's first appearance after the War was in the Siedem Kotow (Seven Cats) cabaret in Krakow, where the renowned Polish poet, Konstanty Ildefons Galczynski, authored a number of roles for her. Galczynski allegedly created the prominent character of Hermenegilda Kociubinska with Kwiatkowska in mind. In 1948 she came back to Warsaw, appearing in the Teatr Syrena and, now-legendary, Dudek and Szpak cabarets. She was also a prominent member of the cast in the famous televised Kabaret Starszych Panow. Kwiatkowska's other famous television roles included the cult series, Wojna Domowa (1965-66) and Czterdziestolatek (1974-77). In the theater, she portrayed the memorable "Kobieta Pracujaca" ("Working Woman"), a recurring character who performs various unusual or absurd jobs. She is best remembered with this role, and the character's name has become synonymous with Kwiatkowska. She reprised the role in the series sequel, Czterdziestolatek 20 lat pozniej (1993). She also appeared in many theatrical movies, mostly in comedies and musicals, including memorable cameos in later years. Her resume also includes frequent voice acting on the radio. During her lifetime Kwiatkowska received numerous awards, including the Wielki Splendor Polish Radio Theatre Award (1993) and the Superwiktor (2002), a special lifetime achievement award for outstanding television personalities. Her 90th birthday celebration in 2002 was a major cultural event which attracted a varied array of artists on stage during a special televised show. Recently, she performed with the Teatr Polski in Warsaw, where she continued to appear in an interpretation of Galczynski's Zielona. Kwiatkowska's funeral was attended by many well known Polish actors (among others: Olgierd Lukaszewicz, Maja Komorowska, Barbara Krafftowna, Alina Janowska, Jerzy Gruza, Teresa Lipowska, Jerzy Polomski, Wojciech Mlynarski, Stanislaw Brejdygant, Jacek Kawalec, Jacek Blawut) and by Polish Minister of Cultural Affairs, Zbigniew Zdrojewski.
Some medals and prizes. 2009 - Commandor's Cross with Star Polonia Restituta, 2007 - Master of Polish Language , 2005 - Gloria Artis, 2003 - Hand imprint on the Promenade of Stars, 2002 - "Star of Polish TV" prize, 2000 - Commandor's Cross Polonia Restituta, 1998 - Medal of Smile, 1995 - "Super Wiktor", 1995 - "Grzymala's Golden Laurel, 1995 - "The Diamond Microphone", 1994 - "Prometeusz", 1987 - Golden Honorary Medal of Polonia Society, 1976 - Medal Of Work Banner II Class, 1973- "Golden Microphone", 1965- Officer's Cross Polonia Restituta, 1955- Knight's Cross Polonia Restituta, 1953- State Prize of II grade for outstanding performing achievements.
Filmography 2009 - Niania, 2008 - Jeszcze nie wieczor, 2006 - Kobieta pracujaca , 2002 - Bula i spola , 2000 - Nar nettene blir lange ,2000-2001 - Graczykowie , 1993 - Czterdziestolatek. 20 lat pozniej, 1991 - Rozmowy kontrolowane ,1988 - Pan Kleks w kosmosie , 1986 - Zmiennicy , 1983 - Lata dwudzieste... lata trzydzieste... , 1980 - Tajemnica szyfru marabuta , 1978 - Hallo Szpicbrodka, czyli ostatni wystep krola kasiarzy , 1978 - Prosze slonia , 1976 - Motylem jestem, czyli romans 40-latka , 1976 - Ozenek jako swatka Fiokla, 1974-1977 - 40-latek ,1970 - Dzieciol , 1965 - Wojna Domowa , 1963 - Zacne grzechy , 1962 - Klub kawalerow , 1962 - I ty zostaniesz Indianinem , 1961 - Drugi czlowiek , 1959 - Tysiac talarow , 1958 - Zolnierz krolowej Madagaskaru , 1953 - Sprawa do zalatwienia , 1945 - 2 x 2 = 4.
Personal. She was married to Boleslaw Kielski (1947-1994).
Main source:
This article uses, among others, material from the Wikipedia article "Irena Kwiatkowska" licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. :
Wikipedia
Supplemented with information included in:
Wikipedia (in Polish)
Prominent Poles
