Tad Danielewski

Tad Danielewski (March 29, 1921 – January 6, 1993) was a Polish-born American film director.

Early years
Born as Tadeusz Zbigniew Danielewski in Radom, Poland, he served in the Polish Underground during World War II but was captured and interred in a German work camp until rescued by Patton's forces. He and his wife, actress (née Sylwia Jadwiga Łakomska; born June 20, 1927), emigrated to the United States in 1948. They formalized their union in the United States with a civil ceremony in Los Angeles, California on June 9, 1950, and shortly after began studying at the University of Iowa. They were naturalized as United States citizens on April 19, 1954 through a Special Act of Congress. The couple later divorced.

Career
After the war, he studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and started the Professional Actors Workshop in New York City, whose students included Martin Sheen, James Earl Jones, and Mercedes Ruehl. He was president of Stratton Productions, Inc. (NYC), a firm engaged in stage, film and TV productions.

He worked at NBC as a studio supervisor and helped develop a new method for directing TV programs. In 1983, he provided the Polish translation of "Sweet Georgia Brown" for Mel Brooks's 1983 adaptation of To Be or Not to Be. He worked at the Brigham Young University Department of Theatre and Cinematic Arts from 1975–89. He moved to head up the USC drama department in Los Angeles until his death in 1993.

Personal life
Danielewski was married three times. First to actress Sylvia Daneel (née Sylvia Jadwiga Łakomska; born June 20, 1927), with whom he had a son, Christopher Danielewski. Second to Priscilla Decatur Machold (later Mrs. Loeb), with whom he had two children: Anne Danielewski (the musician Poe), and Mark Z. Danielewski, a novelist. Third to Lillian Danielewski; that union was childless and ended with Tad Danielewski's death.

Death
Danielewski died of cancer in 1993 in Los Angeles, California, aged 71, survived by his widow, Lillian, as well as his  former wives, and by his three children from his first two marriages.

Filmography
1961: The Big Wave
1962: No Exit
1965: Guide
1972: España puerta abierta

External links
 
 Tad Danielewski at the University of Wisconsin's Actors Studio audio collection; accessed August 11, 2014
 The New York Times, January 13, 1993
 Article in the Los Angeles Times, January 13, 1993

References

Category:1921 births
Category:1993 deaths
Category:Actors Studio alumni
Category:American film directors
Category:Brigham Young University faculty
Category:Deaths from cancer in California
Category:People from Radom
Category:Polish emigrants to the United States
Category:Polish film directors
Category:University of Iowa alumni