Jan Werich

Between 1916 and 1924, Werich attended "reálné gymnasium" (equivalent to high school) in Křemencova Street in Prague (where his future business partner, Jiří Voskovec, also studied). He studied law at the Charles University Law School from 1924 to 1927, from which he made an early departure to begin his artistic career and forge one of the most important partnerships of his life.

For more than 10 years he worked in theatre Jiří Voskovec and Jaroslav Ježek. Their partnership was a platform for their numerous left-wing political satires, most notably in the Osvobozené divadlo (Liberated Theatre). The trio's work took inspiration from Dada, with its love of the absurd, a reaction against bourgeois values and the horrors of World War I.

In 1955 he begun working in cinema, and 1960s were a peak in his actor career. From the creation of the ABC Theatre he moved to the City Theatres of Prague and then to the Musical Theatre of Karlin and Nusle. Werich was originally cast by producer Harry Saltzman to play Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. Upon his arrival at the Pinewood set, both producer Albert R. Broccoli and director Lewis Gilbert felt that he was a poor choice, resembling a "poor, benevolent Santa Claus".

Jan Werich is known for work in acting across film and television. New Release currently presents 31 verified screen credits connected to this profile.

Selected work includes Jan Werich: Když už člověk jednou je… (2021), Voskovec & Werich, paralelní osudy (2012), Fimfarum - To the good of all (2011), Tři strážníci (2005), Jan Werich's Fimfarum (2002), Pan Tau (1970), The 25th Hour (1967), Klapzubova jedenáctka (1968). The recorded credits span 1932 to 2021, including 25 movies and 6 TV shows.

The filmography below lists available titles, release years and known roles. This profile is updated as additional verified information becomes available.