Ota Jirák Dies at 77 Following Sudden Illness
Czech actor and dubbing icon Ota Jirák died on Saturday evening at the age of 77 following a sudden illness, tn.nova.cz reported. His death ends a decades-long career on stage, television, and in recording studios that established his voice across multiple generations of viewers and listeners.
Widow Drahomíra revealed the cause of death as a sudden illness, according to CNN Prima NEWS. The actor’s family announced that his final farewell will take place in a private family circle, tn.nova.cz reported.
Ota Jirák was born in 1949 in Debř u Mladé Boleslavi and graduated from the Puppetry Faculty at DAMU in Prague. Throughout his career, he performed with several theatrical groups, including Vedené divadlo Karla Makonje and the Cirkus Alfréd of Ctibor Turba, before joining Městské divadlo Mladá Boleslav as a permanent cast member from 2003 to 2009.
Iconic Dubbing Roles Defined Generations of Czech Audiences
Jirák was widely recognized for his deep, distinctive voice, which brought international characters to Czech screens. He provided the Czech voice for the alien Alf in the 1980s sitcom, mammoth Manny in the Ice Age film series, Obelix in Asterix and the Vikings, and Tygra in Winnie the Pooh stories, according to reports.
Early in his career, he became associated with Czech Television’s children’s program Studio Kamarád, where he voiced and performed as Hele, part of the famous Jů and Hele duo. Jirák originally agreed to voice the character before departing for a four-month theater tour in the Netherlands, leading Milan Neděla to temporarily take over the role until Jirák returned and permanently adopted it.
Television and Film Career Spanned Decades of Notable Performances
Beyond voice acting, Jirák appeared in numerous television series and feature films, tn.nova.cz reported. His roles included the eccentric Uncle František in the 1994 film adaptation of Saturnin, as well as television appearances in Arabela se vrací, Život na zámku, Nováci, and Ordinace v růžové zahradě, where he played Dr. Jan Pantoflíček.
Recalling his first day on that set, Jirák told Denik that he spent it lying inside a coffin, describing it jokingly as a rehearsal for a real funeral.
Health Struggles and Family Support Preceded His Passing
Jirák experienced significant health challenges in later years, surviving multiple heart attacks and a stroke, CNN Prima NEWS reported. He suffered his first heart attack at age 39 after attempting to quit smoking for a year, a story he shared with Blesk and reported by CNN Prima NEWS.
Shortly after turning 70, he suffered a second heart attack and a stroke that left him receiving care at IKEM in Prague, alongside diagnoses of sleep apnea and asthma, CNN Prima NEWS reported. His wife, Drahomíra, helped him recover his speech and mobility following the stroke, while the couple also spent years restoring an old formans tavern in Neveklovice near Mladá Boleslav.
Colleagues Remember a Versatile Artist and Kind Man
Following news of his death, actors and voice artists shared tributes online, tn.nova.cz reported. Eva Burešová, who played his daughter in Slunečná, wrote on social media: Tatínku, loučím se s Tebou, znovu. Nebudu zde psát nic více. Věřím totiž v to, že jsem Ti vše řekla do očí – a co jsme nestihli, víš od Terezky,
as quoted by tn.nova.cz. Burešová also highlighted his talents as a painter and author.
Veronika Khek Kubařová remembered working with him at Městské divadlo Mladá Boleslav, while voice actor Mirka Součková recalled their early days working on Alf together, tn.nova.cz reported. Actor Václav Šanda also posted tributes noting roles in Saturnin and O dvanácti měsíčkách, while Zlata Adamovská shared memories of her late colleague.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ota Jirák
What caused the death of Ota Jirák?
His widow, Drahomíra, stated that Ota Jirák died following a sudden illness, CNN Prima NEWS reported.
Which famous characters did Ota Jirák voice in Czech?
He voiced the alien Alf, mammoth Manny in the Ice Age series, Obelix, Tygra in Winnie the Pooh, and Hele from the children’s show Studio Kamarád.
Where did Ota Jirák begin his theatrical career?
After graduating from the Puppetry Faculty at DAMU in Prague, his early work included performances with Vedené divadlo Karla Makonje from 1969 to 1971.
What were his most prominent television roles?
His notable television credits included Dr. Jan Pantoflíček in Ordinace v růžové zahradě 2 and Martin Popelka in the series Slunečná, as reported by tn.nova.cz and Denik.
Worth a look