PThat day of All Saints in 2005 I received a telephone call from friends from Chicago about the tragic death, under the wheels of the car, an excellent Polish actor Ryszard Krzyżanowski, for 35 years on emigration. I met him with my wife Barbara Denys, besides a large actress, respective years ago in Chicago. I was at their charming home, highly hospitable, full of patriotism, aristocracy and cordial, open to friends, and even caring for artists from Poland and the world. They were a wonderful couple, very loving, and they made large acting creations in the duo. They worked together, highly in everything concerning theatre, stage, Polish art in the United States. There was no artistic event without their participation or idea. They were always successful!
Richard was rightly called the natural ambassador of Polish culture. He was not only valued in the Polonia circles – that's why his abrupt tragic departure was immediately noted by many American tv stations. So I regret to say goodbye to a friend, a wonderful actor whose artistic output is hard to transfer on a paper sad, short note. I hope that biographies take care of it, possibly ZASP.
Before Richard was in Chicago, he was successful in his work in theatres and on phase in Poland. Especially do the Krakówns remember him, where he performed in the Old Theatre, the Theatre of Diversity, the Slovak Theatre.
He was celebrated for his acting talent, but besides for his wonderful acting conditions – a large figure, a beautiful, rich voice rate, from a wonderfully given text. In a word, His acting was a craftsmanship – a tradition of large phase masters. He besides conducted pedagogical activities at the Cracow Theatre School. Outside Krakow, the audiences of the theatres in Silesia, Poznań, Rzeszów and another cities admired him. Richard's talent was versatile, performed in the tv Theatre, on radio, in cabaret, phase programs, etc.
He came from an excellent household of Teutonic Knights (in native generals, church dignitaries, etc.), highly patriotic . Members of his household were tried and held in Montelupi for their activities in the AK, for their views—for their statements. So he left Poland 36 years ago for a reason. In the United States (after hard starts, organizing life again and fighting for prosaic needs) he achieved remarkable professional successes. His and Barbara's wife's artistic work should have created a biographical book. He was something in the States.
With regret and sadness goodbye you, dear Richard – Chicago will be sad without you, without your colorful character.
