Ivan Jandl was an American actor best known for his roles in The Search, Zelená knížka, and Svědomí. Born on January 24, 1937, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, he became a notable child actor after overcoming polio.
Personal and Family Life
Ivan was born into the family of accountant Klement Jandl and his wife Bozena. At the age of three, he battled polio but made a remarkable recovery thanks to a doctor named Pribramsky. He developed an interest in performing while participating in his school theater and later joined a children’s radio choir.
Career Highlights
His journey in acting began with a small role in the film “Varúj!” but gained significant recognition after being cast in Fred Zinnemann’s film The Search. Following the film’s success, he received an honorary Academy Award in 1949, marking a high point in his early career. However, government restrictions limited his film appearances to just three until he moved on to other jobs, including work in radio and a brief theater involvement.
Death and Legacy
Ivan Jandl passed away on November 21, 1987, at the age of 50 due to complications from diabetes. Despite a challenging career path after his initial success, his early achievements as a child actor have left a lasting impression in film history. He is remembered for both his talent and the unique circumstances of his life and career.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Search | 1948-03-26 | Karel Malik aka ‘Jim’/’Jimmy’ |
| Zelená knížka | 1949-01-07 | Jarka Kolísko |
| Svědomí | 1949-03-25 | Lojzek |
| Vítězná křídla | 1951-02-09 | Modeler |
| Varuj…! | 1947-04-24 |