Barbara Brylska is a renowned Polish actress who has appeared in films produced in Poland, Russia, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Bulgaria.
Born on June 5, 1941, in Skotniki, near Lodz, Poland, Barbara's early life was marked by the trauma of survival under the Nazi occupation of Poland during World War II.
She made her film debut at the age of 15 in a small role in Kalosze szczescia (1958). She then studied acting at the Lodz Theatre School and later at the Warsaw School of Theatre, Cinema and Television, graduating in 1964 as an actress.
Barbara Brylska gained fame with her supporting role as Kama in Pharaoh (1966),an Oscar-nominated period drama directed by Jerzy Kawalerowicz. She then played a supporting role as Krzysia Drohojowska in Colonel Wolodyjowski (1969),a period film directed by Jerzy Hoffman.
In 1975, Brylska received a phone call from Moscow director Eldar Ryazanov that changed her life and acting career, bringing her fame and jealousy. She played the role of Nadia in the cult Soviet TV movie Ironiya sudby, ili S lyogkim parom! (1975) (TV),opposite Andrey Myagkov.
Barbara Brylska experienced ostracism in her own country, Poland, where she was criticized for accepting the State Prize of the USSR. However, she was critical of the rigid political and cultural atmosphere in the Soviet Union and risked her popularity by speaking out against the regime.
She then played a supporting role in the film Down House (2000) and made her stage debut in Moscow in the popular play 'Quartet' opposite Svetlana Kryuchkova.
Barbara Brylska has been highly regarded for her classic noblesse, beauty, intelligence, and effortless style. She enjoyed a steady popularity with Russian-speaking audiences due to her stellar performance in Ironiya sudby, ili S lyogkim parom! (1975) (TV).
She has been married several times and has two children, Barbara and Ludwig. After the tragic death of her model daughter and a burglary of her apartment, Brylska suffered a nervous breakdown but continued her acting career.
Barbara Brylska currently divides her time between her apartment in Warsaw, Poland, and her summer cottage in the village of Gulchevo, near Warsaw. She also makes regular visits to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia, where she has been enjoying a steady success.
