Andrzej Beya-Zaborski, Iconic Commander from Jacek Bromski’s Films, Dies at 75

Andrzej Beya-Zaborski, a veteran theater and film actor best known as Police Commander Henryk Wołkołycki in Jacek Bromski’s films, has died at the age of 75 following a long illness.

Death of a Renowned Actor

Andrzej Beya-Zaborski, a theater, film, and television actor associated for decades with the Białystok Puppet Theater, has died in the night from August 10 to August 11 after a long-term illness. He was 75 years old.

The information regarding the actor’s death was announced by the Białystok Puppet Theater, an institution with which he was connected for a significant portion of his professional career as an actor, director, puppeteer, and educator.

Four Decades in Theater

Andrzej Beya-Zaborski graduated from the Puppet Department of the State Higher School of Theater in Białystok in 1978, after which he began working at the Białystok Puppet Theater, remaining tied to the stage for nearly four decades.

He performed in numerous stage productions, including “The Tale of the Beautiful Parysada,” “Panto and Pantamto,” “The Great Theater of the World,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Cyrano de Bergerac,” “The Overcoat,” “The Good Soldier Švejk,” “The Crooked Tower,” and “A Short Course in Acting Song.” He also worked as a director, preparing shows such as “Timothy Among the Birds” and “Timothy Rymcimci.”

Recognition in Puppet Art

The Białystok Puppet Theater regarded him as one of Poland’s most outstanding puppeteers, noting his acting technique and skills related to puppet animation. His roles in “The Fox Hunt” and “Let the Voice Fly on the Dew” contributed to the theater’s successes internationally.

For many years, Beya-Zaborski also worked as a pedagogue and lecturer at the Puppet Art Department in Białystok, training successive generations of actors and passing on knowledge about puppet theater and animation.

Popularity as Commander Wołkołycki

The greatest popularity outside the theatrical environment came from his role as Henryk Wołkołycki, the police commander from Królowy Most in Jacek Bromski’s productions. He starred in “U Pana Boga za piecem,” “U Pana Boga w ogródku,” “U Pana Boga za miedzą,” and “U Pana Boga w Królowym Moście.”

This characteristic character of the commander became one of his most recognizable roles, earning him widespread popularity among audiences across Poland.

Extensive Film and Television Career

The actor also had a much broader film and television portfolio, appearing in Wojciech Smarzowski’s productions “The Wedding” and “The Dark House.” He also appeared in television series such as “Magda M.,” “39 and a Half,” “Pitbull,” and “Father Mateusz.”

Combining theatrical, film, directorial, and pedagogical activities for years, the Białystok Puppet Theater organized a benefit event for him in 2018 to mark his fortieth year of artistic work, highlighting his long-standing ties to the theater and his significance to successive generations of actors.

The actor passed away on August 11, 2026, following a long illness at the age of 75.