Josef Somr (14 April 1934 â 16 October 2022) was a Czech actor. He was noted for starring in the Oscar-winning 1966 film Closely Watched Trains, as well as in The Joke.
Somr was born in Vracov, Czechoslovakia, on 14 April 1934. He studied at the JanáÃÂek Academy of Music and Performing Arts, graduating in 1956.
Somr started his acting career at various regional theatres, before becoming a part of The Drama Club in Prague. There, he received roles in productions directed by Ladislav Smocek, Jan KaÃÂer, and Jià ÂàMenzel. He began acting in films starting in the mid-1960s, making his film debut in Accused (1964). His following role saw him play the libidinous train dispatcher HubiÃÂka in Closely Watched Trains by Menzel. Film critic John Simon described Somr's performance as "so spontaneous, unconcerned, and complete ... that it affects our entire sensorium â finger tips, nostrils, and palate no less than eyes and ears". The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in April 1968. Somr subsequently played scientist LudvÃÂk Jahn in the lead role of The Joke (1969) by Jaromil Jireà ¡. He went on to feature in Poslednàpropadne peklu under director LudvÃÂk RÃ¡à ¾a in 1982.
According to Michal Bregant â who headed the Czech Film Archive â Somr preferred acting in theatre, despite having roles in over 170 films. This was because he disliked revealing his face in profile, which was captured more easily on camera. He joined the National Theatre drama ensemble in 1978, on the invitation of Miroslav MacháÃÂek. He played the marshal in The White Disease by Karel ÃÂapek, as well as the town councillor Jakub Busek in Naà ¡i furianti. Somr's portrayal of Mister Frantisek in Romance pro kà ÂÃÂdlovku garnered him a Thalia Award in 1998. He also did voice acting for radio, audiobooks, and poetry readings, and featured in film adaptations of Czech fairy tales.
Somr was married to Alena Somrová until his death. He died on 16 October 2022 at Na Pleà ¡i hospital in Nová Ves pod Pleà ¡ÃÂ. He was 88 years old.
Somr was conferred the Medal of Merit by Václav Havel in 2005. Seven years later, he received the Czech Lion Award for Unique Contribution to Czech Film. He was subsequently bestowed a lifetime achievement award at the 2014 Thalia Awards for his theatre work.