Marian Kociniak
Marian Kociniak (11 January 1936 – 17 March 2016) was a film, television, voice and radio actor and comedian. He was best known from portraying Franciszek Dolas, a main character in the 1969 film How I Unleashed World War II. Kociniak also had main and secondary roles in films such as Morning Stars (1979), Danton (1983), Fucha, Bermuda Triangle (1987), Circus is Leaving (1987), Yesterday Goodbye (1993), Sir Thaddeus (1999), Kalipso (2000), and The Last Action (2009), as well as in television series such as Janosik (1974), Jan Serce (1981), Sukces (1995), and The Deep End (2013).
Marian Kociniak

Edward Hartwig · National Digital Archives · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Name
- Marian Kociniak
- Born
- 11 January 1936
- Birthplace
- Warsaw, Poland
- Died
- 17 March 2016
- Education
- Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art
- Occupation
- Actor
- Spouse
- Grażyna Kociniak
- Nationality
- Second Polish Republic · Polish People's Republic · Poland
- Honours
- Knight of the Order of Polonia Restituta · Golden Medal for Merit to Culture · Gold Cross of Merit · Officer of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Languages
- Polish
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Documentary summary
Marian Kociniak (11 January 1936 – 17 March 2016) was a film, television, voice and radio actor and comedian. He was best known from portraying Franciszek Dolas, a main character in the 1969 film How I Unleashed World War II. Kociniak also had main and secondary roles in films such as Morning Stars (1979), Danton (1983), Fucha, Bermuda Triangle (1987), Circus is Leaving (1987), Yesterday Goodbye (1993), Sir Thaddeus (1999), Kalipso (2000), and The Last Action (2009), as well as in television series such as Janosik (1974), Jan Serce (1981), Sukces (1995), and The Deep End (2013).
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Documentary evidence
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Authority files
wikidata · Q4236590 · wikipedia · Marian Kociniak
In this article
Biography
Biography
Marian Kociniak studied at Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art. The recorded working language is Polish. Employment is recorded with Teatr Syrena, Teatr Scena Prezentacje and Teatr na Woli. Distinctions recorded are Knight of the Order of Polonia Restituta, Golden Medal for Merit to Culture, Gold Cross of Merit and Officer of the Order of Polonia Restituta.

Marian Kociniak
Sławek · Kociniak Marian 1

Aktor Marian Kociniak (2003).
Paweł Matyka
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Marian Kociniak • Born — 11 January 1936 • Birthplace — Warsaw, Poland • Died — 17 March 2016 • Place of death — Warsaw, Poland • Resting Place — Evangelical Reformed Cemetery, Warsaw, Poland • Education — Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art • Occupation — Actor • Years Active — 1959–2013 • Spouse — Grażyna Kociniak
Biography
Biography
Marian Kociniak was born on 11 January 1936 in Warsaw, Poland. He grew up in the district of Mokotów. During the German occupation in World War II, his home was burned down, and his family took shelter in an abandoned brick factory. He graduated from the engine manufacturing vocational school, and in 1958, from the Aleksander Zelwerowicz National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw. He was a student of Ludwik Sempoliński. From 1959 to 2010, he acted in the Ateneum Theatre, and from 2010 to 2013, in the Wola Theatre. His film debut was in 1960, when he had a small uncredited role in Innocent Sorcerers. Kociniak became best known from portraying Franciszek Dolas, a main character in the 1969 film How I Unleashed World War II. He also had main and secondary roles in films such as Morning Stars (1979), Danton (1983), Fucha, Bermuda Triangle (1987), Circus is Leaving (1987), Yesterday Goodbye (1993), Sir Thaddeus (1999), Kalipso (2000), and The Last Action (2009), as well as in television series such as Janosik (1974), Jan Serce (1981), Sukces (1995), and The Deep End (2013). Additionally Kociniak acted in numerous plays of Polish Television. He also appeared in episodes the Kabaret Starszych Panów comedy troupe show, and worked in Polish Radio Three. There, he co-hosted together with Andrzej Zaorski sketch comedy segments titled Kulisy srebrnego ekranu, in the radio show 60 minut na godzinę, and performed the theme song of programme Powtórka z rozrywki. In 2003, during the 8th Festival of Stars in Międzyzdroje, Kociniak has unveiled his plaque at the Promenade of Stars walk of fame. Throughout his career, he completely refused giving interviews. The exception was made for TVP Info in 2010, in light of the 50th anniversary of his work in the industry. In April 2010, was also published book Spełniony by Remigiusz Grzela, consisting of the interview with him. Kociniak retired from acting in 2013. He was an honorary member of the campaign support committee of Bronisław Komorowski during the 2010 and 2015 presidential elections in Poland. Kociniak died in a Warsaw hospital on 17 March 2016, at the age of 80. He was buried on 23 March 2016, next to his wife, at the Warsaw Evangelical Reformed Cemetery.
Private life
Private life
For over 50 years he was married to film editor Grażyna Kociniak (died 2016). Together they had a daughter, Weronika, and he was also a stepfather to his wife's son, Piotr. He was also a cousin of actor Jan Kociniak.
Television series
Television series
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1965 — Wyzywajem ogoń na siebja — Jan Tyma • Stawka większa niż życie — Piotr — Episode: "Wróg jest wszędzie" (no. 1) • 1966 — Wojna domowa — Edek — Episode: "Dzień matki" (no. 9) • 1974 — Janosik — Burgrave — 13 episodes • 1981 — Jan Serce — Piotr Krukowski — 8 episodes • 1995 — Sukces — Dydak — Main role; 9 episodes • 2001 — Myszka Walewska — Ryszard Tomczyk — Main role; 3 episodes • 2012 — Spadkobiercy — Harriet and Harry Ferguson's father — 1 episode • 2013 — The Deep End — Professor — 3 episodes
Video games
Video games
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 2003 — Jak rozpętałem drugą wojnę światową — Franciszek Dolas — Voice
Films
• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1960 — Innocent Sorcerers — Concert attendant — Uncredited • Mario i czarodziej — Television play • 1961 — Warszawska ulica • Mistrz Pathelin • Decyzje • Bal manekinów • 1962 — The Two Who Stole the Moon — Grzegorz Nieborak — Uncredited • Gangsters and Philanthropists — Restaurant client • Czerwone berety — Grzegorz Warecki • Tak miało być — Abel — Television play • 1963 — Wiano — Staszek's friend • Przy torze kolejowym — Man — Short film • Węzeł rodzinny — Son #1 — Television play • Stworzenie świata — Szymek • Romans Teresy Hennert • Dzieje jednego pocisku — Bandit • 1964 — Five — Kazio • Wspólny pokój — Student — Television play • 1965 — Sobótki — Karol • Stara cegielni — Television play • Piękna Helena — Ajax • Ballada wigilijna • 1966 — Maria and Napoleon — Palace guard • Skinny and Others — Party member • The Barrier — Tram driver • Pożegnanie z Marią — Piotr — Television play • Aszantka — Franek • Godziny miłości — Feliks • 1967 — The Sun Rises Once Daily — Mały • Żołnierz Królowej Madagaskaru — Theatre stage manager — Television play • Nominacja — Sasza • 1968 — Last After the God — Piotr Kwiatkowski • 1969 — How I Unleashed World War II — Franciszek Dolas — Main role • Bracia syjamscy — Sanor — Television play • 1970 — Obecność • Mała ankieta — Janiak • 1971 — The Woodpecker — Reporter • Action Brutus — Krysiak • Gwiazda Wytrwałości — Iwanowski • Czekając na Godota — Lucky — Television play • 1972 — Wesele z generałem — Jać — Television play • Lato w Nohant — Clesinger • 1973 — Blue as the Black Sea — Adam • Wszyscy moi synowe — George — Television play • Samoobsługa — Ben • Rewolwer na deszczu — Hugo • Ktoś Nowy — Karol Kukuła • 1974 — Santa Claus Urgently Wanted — "Not hugged" person • Gra — Stefan Kozłowski • Janosik — Burgrave • Skamieniały las — Jason Maple — Television play • Popiół i diament — Drewnowski • Partia na instrument drewniany — Łaciak • Niemcy — Jureś • Dochodzenie — Mały • 1975 — Bajadera — Janusz — Television play • Żywa maska — Physician • Reportarz poetycki • Henryk IV — Poins • Babbitt — Narrator • Amfitriin 38 — Mercury • 1976 — Rzecz listopadowa — Wedding guest • Opinia • 1977 — Króliczek — Krystian • Dla szczęścia — Jan • Czy Pan nie rozumie? To pomyłka! — Quinn • 1978 — Włamanie o północy — Thief • Pamela — Al Sherwood • Ich głowy — Valorin • 1979 — Morning Stars — Piotr Łoboda — Main role • Playing with the Devil — Marcin Kabat — Television play • Pechowy dzień i zbrodnia i kara — Shop assistant • Brzechwa – dzieciom • Bal Manekinów — Manekin 41 • Ribandel • 1980 — Schwarzes Gold — Paul Budach • Supeł — Gustaw — Television play • Król w Kraju Rozkoszy — King • 1981 — Molier, czyli zmowa świętoszków — La Grange — Television play • Dom na granicy — Husband • 1982 — O istnieniu cudownych miejsc — Narrator — Documentary film; voice • 1983 — Danton — Jean-Baptiste Robert Lindet • Fucha — Zgred — Main role • O victorii wiedeńskiej — Narrator — Documentary film; voice • 1984 — Love of the Charts — Jul • Sposób na życie — Dr. Grzesiewicz — Television play • 1985 — Szewcy — Sajetan Tempe • Odwet — David Ryder • Anioł na dworcu — Stranger • 1987 — Bermuda Triangle — Jarek — Main role • Circus is Leaving — Jan Kossakowski — Main role • 1988 — Kantata o łożu — Husband — Television play • 1989 — Rififi po sześćdziesiątce — Andrzej Nowisz • Kwartet — Lena's father — Television play • 1990 — Polonez — Iosif Igelström • 1992 — Bon Appétit, My Little TV — Grandfather • Moskwa – pietruszki — Czarnowąsy — Television play • 1993 — Yesterday Goodbye — Roman — Main role • Śmierć Tarełkina — Raspluyev — Television play • Poza miastem — Cosmo Saltana • Manhattan Poker — Speed • Łuk Triumfalny — Morozov • Elegia dla jednej pani — Man • Coś w rodzaju miłości — Tom O'Toole • 1994 — Sokół maltański — Casper Gutman • Pusta kołyska — Frost • O przemyślności kobiety niewiernej — Man • Na dnie — Kleszcz • 1995 — Zdrapka — General • Przeszłość jest nieśmiertelna • Grzeszki tatusia — Thomas Maddison • Górski hotel — Vilem Pechar • 1996 — Tańczyłem — Priest • Boso ale w ostrogach — Staszek's father • 1999 — Sir Thaddeus — Protazy • 2000 — Kalipso — Henryk Roszponka — Main role • 2002 — Noc poślubna — Narrator — Short film; voice • 2005 — Król Edyp — Servant — Television play • 2009 — The Last Action — Kazimierz Iwanowski "Kotek" — Main role • Warszawa — Antique dealer — Television play
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Marian Kociniak”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q4236590: Marian Kociniak
General reference · Wikidata
Awards and decorations
• Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2001) • Knight's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (1988) • Gold Cross of Merit (1974) • Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture (2010)
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Marian Kociniak: Jego życiorys to gotowy scenariusz na film!. swiatseriali.interia.pl. 26 March 2021.
- 2.Marian Kociniak. filmpolski.pl.
- 3.Kociniak drze koty o teatr. fakt.pl. 15 January 2010.
- 4.Marian Kociniak nie żyje. culture.pl. 17 March 2016.
- 5.Marian Kociniak. Murgrabia polskiego filmu. polskieradio.pl. 11 January 2022.
- 6.Festiwal Gwiazd w Międzyzdrojach. wyborcza.pl. 27 June 2003.
- 7.Jacek Szczerba. Marian Kociniak. Spełniony, Grzela, Remigiusz. wyborcza.pl. 20 April 2010.
- 8.Komitet poparcia Bronisława Komorowskiego. wybory.onet.pl. 16 May 2010.
- 9.Kto wszedł do komitetu poparcia Komorowskiego, a kto z niego wypadł? Cała lista. wiadomosci.dziennik.pl. 16 May 2015.
- 10.Pogrzeb Mariana Kociniaka. Bliscy pożegnali wybitnego aktora. gwiazdy.wp.pl. 23 March 2016.
- 11.Agnieszja Święcicka. Nie potrafił żyć bez ukochanej żony. Zmarł miesiąc po jej śmierci. plejada.pl. 10 January 2022.
- 12.Dorota Falkowska. Marian Kociniak był ojczymem dla syna ukochanej żony Grażyny, córka nazywała go księciem z bajki Jak wyglądały relacje aktora z dziećmi?. viva.pl. 12 January 2024.
- 13.Zmarł wybitny aktor Jan Kociniak. filmweb.pl. 20 April 2007.
- 14.Postanowienie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 25 kwietnia 2000 r. o nadaniu orderów i odznaczeń. isap.sejm.gov.pl.
- 15.Glorie dla aktorów. mkidn.gov.pl. 15 February 2010.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Film memorabilia
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