Jadwiga Jankowska-Cieślak, a celebrated Polish actress known for her profound impact on theater and film, has passed away at the age of 74. The news of her death was confirmed on April 15, 2025, by her agency, Malawski, which expressed deep sorrow in a statement: "With great sadness, we inform you that Jadwiga Jankowska-Cieślak has left us. A great, outstanding actress and a wonderful person. Our collaboration was a tremendous honor. Great sadness...".
Jankowska-Cieślak was a recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Złota Palma at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the film "Inne spojrzenie" directed by Károly Makk. This accolade marked her as the first Polish woman to receive such recognition at Cannes. Her career spanned over five decades, during which she showcased her talent in various acclaimed productions.
Born into a world of artistic expression, Jankowska-Cieślak made her screen debut in 1972 with "Trzeba zabić tę miłość," directed by Janusz Morgenstern. Her breakthrough role came in 1977 in "Sam na sam," directed by Andrzej Kostenko, earning her the Best Actress award at the Polish Feature Film Festival in Gdynia. Throughout her career, she was celebrated not only for her film work but also for her extensive contributions to theater.
She was particularly noted for her long-standing collaboration with director Krzysztof Warlikowski at the Nowy Teatr in Warsaw, where she participated in numerous productions, including the award-winning play "Elizabeth Costello." Her partnership with Warlikowski began nearly 30 years ago with her role as Clytemnestra in "Elektra," a performance that remains etched in the memories of theatergoers.
In her later years, Jankowska-Cieślak continued to captivate audiences, most recently starring in the play "Przebłyski" directed by Agata Duda-Gracz, alongside fellow actor Daniel Olbrychski. This production was one of her last, as just a week before her passing, the performance was canceled due to her illness.
Her personal life, however, was marked by profound tragedy. Jankowska-Cieślak faced the devastating loss of her husband, Piotr Cieślak, who succumbed to cancer in 2015. In a poignant interview, she recounted the pain of watching her beloved husband battle the disease, stating, "When the diagnosis was made, we knew my husband had a year, at most a year and a half. Piotr did everything to postpone the moment of departure, but it was not possible. Cancer is a terrible, cruel disease. It takes everything from a person—physical and intellectual abilities. I could only be a witness to this degradation, watching the closest person to me disappear, and I could do nothing."
Jankowska-Cieślak's struggles with loss did not end there; she also lost two brothers to cancer within three years, a heart-wrenching experience that she spoke about openly. "I have not yet come to terms with that loss. I am in a transitional moment and do not know how to piece together the scattered elements of my life," she reflected in past interviews.
Despite her personal hardships, she found solace in her work and the support of her children and their families. She lived in a large home in Józefów, just outside Warsaw, where she sought to maintain a sense of normalcy for her loved ones.
Jankowska-Cieślak's filmography is extensive, featuring notable works such as "Stan wewnętrzny," "300 mil do nieba," and "Sztuka kochania." Additionally, she gained popularity through television series like "Jan Serce" and "Polskie drogi," which showcased her versatility as an actress.
Her contributions to the arts were recognized with several honors, including the Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta in 2007 for her outstanding contributions to Poland's democratic changes and social activities. In 2009, she received the Złoty Medal "Zasłużony Kulturze Gloria Artis," further solidifying her legacy in Polish culture.
As news of her passing circulates, tributes from fans, colleagues, and admirers highlight her remarkable talent and the void her absence leaves in the arts community. Critics have long praised her ability to command the screen and stage, with one noting, "Jankowska has something that is essentially elusive and perhaps even independent of her... every appearance—no matter how minor—fills the screen, attracts attention, and pulsates with life."
In her final interview earlier this year, Jankowska-Cieślak expressed her enduring passion for her craft, stating, "I am preparing for a premiere that brings me joy and a sense of purpose. Soon, we will travel abroad again with Krzysztof Warlikowski and Nowy Teatr. I am returning from work to a place where I feel at home, and I am healthy. No, I have no right to complain." Her unwavering spirit and commitment to her art will be remembered by all who were touched by her performances.
As the curtain falls on the life of Jadwiga Jankowska-Cieślak, her legacy as a pioneering actress and beloved figure in Polish cinema and theater will undoubtedly endure, inspiring future generations of artists.
