Karol SzczÃÂsny Hanusz (30 May 1894 â 20 December 1965) was a Polish theatrical, cabaret and silent film actor and singer (baritone). He was one of the first Polish cabaret stars.
Hanusz was born on 30 May 1894 to Jan and Albina nee KorwinâÂÂKrukowska in Warsaw, but grew up in Kraków. After attending and graduating a classical high school (1909âÂÂ1911) he went to a drama school in Kraków, and had private singing lessons.
Around 1910 Hanusz started recording songs. He did records for various companies under various pseudonyms; in Syrena Rekord: J. Czarnecki, W. Lepecki, J. Satalecki, I. Trembecki, S. Wasilewski, Wà Âadysà Âaw Kochaà Âski; in âÂÂPà Âyta Polskaâ J. Czarnecki, J. Kelter, Andrzej Kulesza, St. Ostrowski. As Paweà  Weiss he recorded songs for âÂÂPatheâÂÂ, âÂÂStella Concert RecordâÂÂ, âÂÂEfte Pà ÂytaâÂÂ, âÂÂPà Âyta PolskaâÂÂ, âÂÂBekaâÂÂ, âÂÂScala Recordâ and âÂÂGrand Gala RecordâÂÂ.
In 1911, Hanusz made his stage debut with a performance at the Polish Theater in Sosnowiec. At first he played in the province. He performed, among others in the Theater of Zagà ÂÃÂbie Dàbrowskie, CzÃÂstochowa and à Âódà º (1915, Bi-Ba-Bo Theatre). Only in 1916, after moving to Warsaw, did he become a famous cabaret and revue actor. He performed in almost all revue theaters in Warsaw, such as "Miraà ¼", "Chochoà Â", "Sfinks", "Czarny Kot", "Qui Pro Quo", "Perskie Oko", "Morskie Oko", "Cyrulik Warszawski", "Ateneum." He cooperated with the State Enterprise of Stage Events (Paà Âstwowe PrzedsiÃÂbiorstwo Imprez Estradowych). In Warsaw Hanusz was one of the first artists to promote tango songs on Polish scenes, singing Ostatnie Tango (The Last Tango) by Emile Deloire in Czarny Kot in 1919, and earning the moniker of "The King of Tango".
Between 1922 and 1928 Hanusz had cameo roles in four silent films; the last production he acted in was Huragan (1928).
From 1937 Hanusz also performed in France. He was counted among the most renowned cabaret artists. He was also one of the first Polish cabaret stars. During World War II, he performed in public (German-directed) revue theaters and sang in cafes.
After war Hanusz was back to stage performances for many theaters, where he sang songs, performed monologues and parody sketches. His repertoire included songs by Julian Tuwim, Lucjan Konarski, , and others.
In 1964 Hanusz held a jubilee of 55 years of artistic work.
Hanusz was a member of Union of Polish Stage Artists (ZASP) and SPATiF (Association of Polish Theatrical and Film Actors).
In the artistic circles it was no secret Hanusz was gay. He was famously a friend of Eugeniusz Bodo (nowadays speculated to have been a relationship) and Hanka Ordonówna, whose artistic pseudonym came from Hanusz' idea.
Hanusz died 20 December 1965. He was murdered in his apartment by a man he picked up while cruising, a fate of many gay men whose lives in the Polish People's Republic were relegated to the (often dangerous) underground because of societal homophobia. He was buried in a family grave on Powàzki Cemetery, with an epitaph "Pieà Âniarz Warszawy" (The Warsaw's Singer).