Leszek Lichota

Leszek Lichota (born 17 August 1977 in Wałbrzych, Poland) is a versatile Polish actor whose career spans stage, television, and film. After completing his secondary education, he enrolled at the prestigious National Academy of Dramatic Art in Warsaw, graduating in 2002 and immediately joining the Polish Theatre in Poznań. His theatrical debut came in Roman Jaworski's production Hamlet Wtóry, where he portrayed Nany Sirbangh, a role that demonstrated his strong command of classical material and earned early critical attention. Over the ensuing years, Lichota honed his craft in a variety of dramatic and comedic parts, quickly establishing himself as a reliable presence on Poland’s most popular screens. His breakthrough on television arrived with the long‑running soap opera Na Wspólnej, where he embodied Grzegorz Zięba, a character that resonated with audiences and solidified his status as a household name. Beyond television, Lichota has built an impressive filmography. He earned a nomination for the Zbigniew Cybulski Award in 2011 for his performance in the 2010 thriller Lynch, reflecting industry recognition of his skillful intensity. Subsequent notable roles include a part in Krzysztof Łukaszewicz’s war drama Karbala (2015) and the acclaimed Jan Komasa film Corpus Christi (2019), where he played the mayor, contributing to the movie’s international success and Oscar nomination. He has also appeared in HBO Poland’s Wataha as Wiktor Rebrow, and took on historical figures such as Leicester in Edward II (2002). A dedicated family man, Lichota is married to Ilona Wrońska and is the father of two children, Natasha (b. 2006) and Kajetan (b. 2008). An avid fan of snooker, he actively promotes the sport in Poland, often combining his public profile with charitable events. His ongoing work, ranging from dubbing iconic characters like Mister Fantastic in Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes to leading roles in contemporary cinema, demonstrates a dynamic and evolving career that continues to enrich Polish cultural life.