
František Velecký
Acting • Born 1934-03-08 – Died 2003-10-05
Biography
Velecký was a very particular figure of Slovak acting, being antipode to venerated mainstream showbiz celebrities. Although he had never received any formal training in acting, he managed to earn great respect of both filmmakers and audience members. He performed in some 50 Slovak, Czech, German, Hungarian and UK/US movies, but he will be most remembered for portraying the lead character of Mikoláš in the Czech movie Marketa Lazarová. Velecký was born 8 March 1934 in Zvolen. He originally studied civil engineering and worked as a designer for few years. However, since his early age he was attracted by the world of cinema and finally in his 30s managed to get his first major roles. Practically at the beginning of his acting career, after a few minor films including Každý týždeň sedem dní (1964) and Nylonový mesiac (1965), he received the role of his lifetime in Marketa Lazarová (1966). This experience deeply influenced the rest of his life. In interviews, he described with gratitude how the director František Vláčil completely changed his way of seeing the world during the long production of this movie. Despite the impact the role had on the film (widely considered the best Czech cinema) and on his life, Velecký would probably be more recognized by Western audiences for his appearances in The Brothers Grimm (released 2005) and the Academy Award-nominated Želary (2003). For most of his career, Velecký was free of any theatre company ties except being briefly associated with the Theatre of Spišká Nová Ves in the 1980s. During his professional career, Velecký was not limited to acting. He was assistant director to Juraj Jakubisko on the film Zbehovia a pútnici (1968) and he applied his talent in fine arts during the 1990s. Velecký died of cancer 5 October 2003 in Bratislava.
Filmography
53 credits
On the Great River
Movie • 1978
Pazour

Bludička
Movie • 1977

Marketa Lazarová
Movie • 1967
Mikoláš, Kozlík's son

Rajský plyn
Movie • 1970

Kto ste, Jozef Gabčík
Movie • 1987

Na konci diaľnice
Movie • 1983

Smrť chodí po horách
Movie • 1979

Stopy na Sitne
Movie • 1969
Jožo Truska

Šaty
Movie • 1972

Slečna Dušehojivá
Movie • 2000

The Brothers Grimm
Movie • 2005
Old Crone

Nebezpečné známosti
Movie • 1980

Nylon Moon
Movie • 1966
Andrej Bardoň

Husaren in Berlin
Movie • 1971

Niet inej cesty
Movie • 1968

Čierny gróf
Movie • 1972

Pätnásť životov
Movie • 1974

Noc s mačkou
Movie • 1970

Love
Movie • 1973
Petr Brukner

The Stolen Battle
Movie • 1972
de la Motte

Noc labutí
Movie • 1972

Ako listy jedného stromu
Movie • 1980

Prince Bajaja
Movie • 1971
Black Prince

The Water of Life
Movie • 1987
Čiernobradý

Crainquebille
Movie • 1982
Judge Bourriche

Rojkovia
Movie • 2000
Obšivan (voice)

Unruly Heyducks
Movie • 1974

Horúčka
Movie • 1975
Cirbes

Pacho, the Brigand of Hybe
Movie • 1976

Magma
Movie • 1984

Sweet Games of Late Summer
Movie • 1970
Rotschild

Na druhom brehu sloboda
Movie • 1984

Právom lásky
Movie • 1984

Another Love
Movie • 1986
Gambler

Every Week Seven Days
Movie • 1964
Andrej

Prague Nights
Movie • 1969
(segment "Otrávená travička")

Sentiment
Movie • 2003

Palm Sunday
Movie • 1969
Simon

Zločin v Modré hvězdě
Movie • 1974

Sons of Fire
Movie • 1973

Zlý žart
Movie • 1993

Prípad pre obhajcu
Movie • 1964

It's Better to Be Healthy and Wealthy than Poor and Sick
Movie • 1992

Red Psalm
Movie • 1972

Brána k domovu
TV • 1975

Naši synovia
TV • 1975

Vivat Beňovský!
TV • 1975
Kazimír Pulaski

Louis Pasteur
TV • 1977

Útek zo zlatej krajiny
TV • 1979
John

Bocianie hniezdo
TV • 1981

Na baňu klopajú
TV • 1981

V službách zákona
TV • 1983

Birthmark
TV • 1985