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Death and memorial of Czech actor Jiří Štěpnička

Overview

Jiří Štěpnička, a prominent Czech actor and voice dubbing artist, died on October 11, 2026, at the age of 79. A long-time member of the National Theatre since 1975 and a recipient of the Thálie Award, he was widely celebrated as the ‘Czech voice of Harrison Ford,’ also providing dubbing for stars such as Michael Douglas and Mel Gibson.

His personal history included significant hardship during the communist era, including time spent in a reformatory after his mother was imprisoned for attempting to emigrate. Following his death, colleagues such as Bohdan Tůma expressed grief, noting that Harrison Ford ‘will never speak with the voice of Jiří Štěpnička’ again.

Reports have highlighted a deep and bitter estrangement between the actor and his son, Jakub, which remained unresolved at the time of his death. The conflict reportedly involved disputes over a Prague apartment inherited from his maternal grandfather, the painter Josef Říha, which the actor believed his son had squandered. Štěpnička characterized the relationship bluntly, stating, ‘My son is a doctor. We hate each other!’ In contrast to the rift with his son, Štěpnička maintained a close and supportive relationship with his daughter, Judita, who assisted him with care and practical matters during his final years.

A memorial service and funeral were held at the National Theatre in Prague, where the public could pay their respects. The ceremony featured tributes from colleagues including Tatiana Medvecká, Vladislav Beneš, and Igor Orozovič, while Jan Burian, Director of the National Theatre, honored the actor's stage mastery. Despite the long-standing conflict and the actor's prior insistence that reconciliation was impossible, his estranged son, Jakub Štěpnička, attended the ceremony and sat with his sister, Judita, and her family. Following the service, the family and close friends traveled to the Žofín cemetery.

Entities

Jiří Štěpnička · National Theatre · Jakub Štěpnička · Prague · Jan Burian

Timeline

  1. [CULTURE] 3 sources
    Jiří Štěpnička funeral attended by estranged son

    The funeral of legendary actor Jiří Štěpnička was attended by his estranged son, Jakub, despite years of reported mutual animosity and a public rift between father and son.

  2. [CULTURE] 4 sources
    Czech actor Jiří Štěpnička honored at National Theatre

    The National Theatre in Prague hosts a memorial service for celebrated Czech actor and voice artist Jiří Štěpnička, who passed away at age 79.

  3. [CULTURE] 5 sources
    Jiří Štěpnička: Czech actor dies at 79 amid family estrangement

    Czech actor Jiří Štěpnička has died at 79. Despite his public success, he faced a long-term, bitter estrangement from his son, Jakub, while maintaining a close bond with his daughter, Judita.

  4. [CULTURE] 16 sources
    Jiří Štěpnička, prominent Czech actor and dubbing artist, dies at 79

    Renowned Czech actor and dubbing icon Jiří Štěpnička has died at 79. Known as the Czech voice of Harrison Ford, he was a mainstay of the National Theatre for five decades.

Sources

aplausin.cz · blesk.cz · ceskenoviny.cz · echo24.cz · Expats.cz · extra.cz · frekvence1.cz · hautes-alpes.fr · kafe.cz · krajskelisty.cz · medium.seznam.cz · novinky.cz · tn.nova.cz · topky.sk · totalfilm.cz · tyden.cz · www1.pluska.sk · zena.aktualne.cz · zeny.iprima.cz · zivot.pluska.sk · zivotvcesku.cz

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history