Liviu Ciulei was an American actor known for his roles in “Pădurea spânzuraţilor,” “Facerea lumii,” and “La France est un empire.” Born on July 7, 1923, in Bucharest, Romania, he became a prominent director and stage designer.
Personal and Family Life
Liviu Ciulei was born into an intellectual family, with his father being a respected architect. He married Helga Reiter in 1979, and they remained together until his passing in 2011. Besides his acting career, Ciulei studied architecture and graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Bucharest.
Career Highlights
Ciulei began his acting career in 1945, performing in various theater plays. He made his directorial debut in 1954 and gained international acclaim after winning the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 1964 for his film “Forest of the Hanged.” Throughout his career, he worked in Romania and abroad, including directing at the Tyrone Guthrie Theater in Minnesota.
Death and Legacy
Liviu Ciulei passed away from multiple organ failure on October 24, 2011, in Munich, Germany. Just before his death, an extensive retrospective of his work was set to take place in New York City, showcasing his contributions to both theater and film. His influence on Romanian cinema and his pioneering role as a director have left a significant legacy in the arts.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Pădurea spânzuraţilor | 1965-03-16 | Klapka |
| La France est un empire | 1938-01-02 | |
| Valurile Dunării | 1960-05-24 | Mihai |
| Falansterul | 1979-03-19 | Dinicu Golescu |
| Alarmă în munți | 1955-12-22 | Spion |
| Facerea lumii | 1971-01-01 | Manicatide |
| Mușchetarul român | 1975-10-13 | Leibniz |
| Dragostea începe vineri | 1972-01-01 | Dobrescu |
| Soldați fără uniformă | 1961-01-01 | Bogdan |
| În sat la noi | 1951-09-20 | Dumitru |
| Decolarea | 1971-12-13 | Bărcan |
| Nepoţii gornistului | 1953-10-17 | Bulldogul |
| Cerul n-are gratii | 1963-05-21 | Professor Bercescu |