František Švihlík, best known for his iconic role as police photographer Čenda Němec in the beloved Czech television series *Četnické humoresky*, passed away on June 19, 2018, at the age of 76.
Early Life and Career
Born on August 23, 1941, in Horní Měcholy, then a separate municipality near Prague, Švihlík initially trained as an electromechanic but quickly found his passion lay in the theater. He performed with amateur groups, including the Máj ensemble in Prague’s Vinohrady district, even as he worked in his trade.
Despite failing to gain admission to both the Prague’s Academy of Performing Arts (DAMU) and the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts in Brno, Švihlík pursued a career in acting without formal training. He began his professional journey with the Krusnohorské loutkové divadlo (Krusnohorské Puppet Theatre) in Teplice, spending a season from 1962 to 1963. He then spent two years with the Krajské loutkové scéně (Regional Puppet Scene) in Liberec before transitioning to live-action roles, performing at various regional theaters including those in Šumperk, Cheb, Jihlava, Ústí nad Labem, Český Těšín, and Pardubice. He ultimately concluded his regional theater work in Kladno. After more than a quarter-century, he returned to Prague in 1987, joining the Městská divadla pražská (Municipal Theatres of Prague) where he remained until retirement. He also worked as a director with the amateur Schod theater in Chotěboř.
Breakthrough Role in *Bony a klid*
While Švihlík’s filmography remained relatively modest due to his long tenure in regional theater, he gained recognition for his role as the unscrupulous dealer Karel in the 1987 cult classic *Bony a klid* (translated as *Peace and Quiet*). Directed by Vít Olmer, the film, based on a screenplay by Radko John, became a significant work of Czech cinema, offering a stylized commentary on Czechoslovak society.
The film centers on Martin, a naive mechanic from Mladá Boleslav, who becomes entangled in the world of currency speculation. Švihlík’s character, Karel, represents the powerful and ruthless side of this underground economy. “Even though I had bigger roles before, after this film people often greeted me by that character’s name,” Švihlík recalled in an interview. “And they really liked the ending, when I walk away with the prosecutor in a friendly conversation. That shot wasn’t in the original script. Director Vítek Olmer told me after shooting that we’d strive one more ending, and it might not be approved. And it was. Maybe that’s what made the character so memorable.”
Becoming Čenda Němec
Švihlík’s most defining role came with Jiří Svoboda’s films *Papilio* and *Prokletí domu Hajnů* (Curse of the Hajnů House), though these were smaller parts. He also made occasional appearances in television series like *Dobrodružství kriminalistiky* (Adventures in Criminalistics) and *Detektiv Martin Tomsa* (Detective Martin Tomsa). However, it was his portrayal of police photographer Čenda Němec in *Četnické humoresky* that cemented his place in Czech television history. He also served as an assistant director on the series, allowing him some influence over casting decisions. He remembered colleagues from his time at the Horácké divadlo (Horácko Theatre) in Jihlava, where he had played leading roles in the 1970s. He later wrote a book about the behind-the-scenes experiences of the show. “Every year takes a piece of your life. It depends on how you live it, fill it, and what it brings. Those years brought me stunning and precious moments, new friendships with colleagues, and getting to know the city of Brno, which I never really loved, and now I like it. ”
He reprised his role in the 2014 sequel to *Bony a klid*, but the film failed to resonate with audiences and marked his final on-screen appearance.
Personal Life and Legacy
Švihlík spent much of his later life in a house in Jitkov, Havlíčkobrodsko. He was known for his love of dogs, particularly the Czech Fousek breed, and took up photography in his later years. “When I played that police photographer Čenda, everyone asked me if I knew how to take pictures. I told them I never had. And only now, in my old age, have I started. I photograph flowers,” he told the press.
He never married, explaining that his dedication to his career left him little time for a family. “I didn’t have time to start a family, I went from theater to theater. I honestly say that I wanted to climb professionally and be a star. That may have succeeded half, and failed half. When you realize after years that it’s fleeting and there are more important things, it’s too late,” he admitted. He also expressed concern about the state of Czech society, lamenting a perceived lack of national pride. Švihlík battled cancer for a year and a half before passing away in a hospice in Chrudim. His death marked the loss of a beloved figure in Czech entertainment, remembered for his memorable characters and enduring contributions to film, and television.
