Czech actress Libuše Havelková, a familiar face in film and television for over six decades, has died at the age of 92. Havelková’s career spanned a period of significant political and social change in Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic, and she remained a working performer well into her 80s, with a final film credit in 2017. Best known to many as the beloved grandmother figure from the children’s program Kouzelná školka, Havelková’s extensive body of work also included roles in critically acclaimed films and a dedicated tenure mentoring actors at the Academy of Performing arts in Prague.
Libuše Havelková, a beloved Czech actress known for her gentle presence and prolific career, has died at the age of 92. Though she never sought the spotlight, Havelková remained a recognizable and respected figure in Czech cinema and theater for decades, continuing to work well into her later years. She appeared as recently as 2017 in the film Modrý tygr (Blue Tiger), demonstrating a lifelong passion for her craft. Directors consistently praised her professionalism and calm demeanor.
Early Hardships Shaped a Resilient Spirit
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Born in České Budějovice to a modest family, Havelková experienced financial hardship early in life. Her family’s small general store barely provided enough to make ends meet, and her father’s death brought further challenges. However, she rarely spoke of her childhood as unhappy, instead fondly recalling a playful upbringing thanks to her older brothers, filled with adventures and exploring the city. She often joked that she was anything but a quiet, well-behaved girl.
After moving to Prague, new opportunities opened up for Havelková. She sang in the Kühn Children’s Choir and initially believed music would be her primary path. Ultimately, acting won out, and she enrolled in the conservatory, though her studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. The war stole a piece of her youth. Like many others, she was forced into labor in Germany. Instead of performing on stage, she found herself working in a factory, living with daily fear. “In Berlin, we had to work in a factory, then we were moved with the entire factory into a salt mine, where we chipped away at the salt every day,” she recalled. She also manufactured parts for the aviation industry during this time. Havelková credited those years with instilling a humility that stayed with her throughout her life.
Foto: NextFoto (koupená licence)
Rozálie Havelková and Ondřej Havelka continue the family tradition
A Whirlwind Romance and Lasting Memories
Following the war, Havelková returned to her studies and embarked on a significant romance with her classmate, Vladimír Ráž, who would later become a celebrated film star, often dubbed the “Prince from the Proud Princess.” Their relationship was passionate and romantic, filled with long conversations, letters, and escapes from Prague just to be together. However, it wasn’t meant to last. Ráž’s reputation for being a ladies’ man proved difficult for Havelková to overcome, though she always spoke of him with respect. “One day you will be happy,” he told her as he departed. Their connection evolved into a quiet, cherished memory they both carried with them. They kept the letters throughout their lives.
She eventually married composer Svatopluk Havelka. They met in Ostrava, where Libuše secured her first acting engagement. They had two children, son Ondřej and daughter Daniela. However, their family life didn’t unfold as she’d envisioned, and they divorced after twelve years. She never made a tragedy of it, stating she simply wasn’t the type to actively seek a partner. “I somehow wasn’t part of the world, or how do I put it? I always felt more in the background and didn’t even look for men,” she reflected. She had her work, her children, and a world that gave her purpose.
A Beloved Grandmother to a Nation
Beyond theater and film, Havelková was a prominent figure at the Academy of Performing Arts (DAMU), where she mentored generations of actors. Among her students were Jaroslav Satoranský and Jiří Lábus, with whom she shared a lifelong friendship. In the 1980s, she served as an associate professor and vice-dean, demonstrating her authority in the field.
She became a national icon as the kindly grandmother on the children’s program Kouzelná školka (Magic Kindergarten). Children adored her, and many continued to identify with her even into adulthood. She represented a sense of security and peace for many viewers. Havelková acknowledged that this “grandmotherly” image somewhat limited her professional range.
In her younger years, she played a wider variety of roles, appearing in films like Ostře sledované vlaky (Closely Watched Trains) and the historical drama Poslední růže od Casanovy (The Last Rose of Casanova), where she portrayed a flirtatious countess. She also took on a role far removed from the grandmotherly type in the television series Byli jednou dva písaři (Once Upon a Time There Were Two Clerks).
A Generous Legacy
The acting talent continued in the family. Her son, Ondřej Havelka, is a well-known figure in Czech culture, combining acting with a passion for swing and vintage music. His children and other descendants are also involved in the arts, notably singer Rozálie Havelková. Family was always paramount to Libuše Havelková, and she ensured their financial security, having accumulated considerable wealth. She transferred ownership of her cottage in the Jizera Mountains to her daughter and left her beautiful villa in Prague’s Vysočany district to her children. However, her children chose not to live in her home, with Ondřej Havelka using some of his inheritance to purchase a property in the Canary Islands near Michal David.
In her later years, Havelková struggled with health issues, including Ménière’s disease, which caused hearing loss and reduced mobility. She spent her final years in a geriatric center, receiving professional care. She died on April 6, 2017.
