Tad Danielewski

Early life

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 Nazi work camp until rescued by Patton's forces. He and his wife, actress Sylvia Daneel (née Sylwia Jadwiga Łakomska), 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, Mercedes Ruehl, and Sigourney Weaver. 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: the novelist Mark Z. Danielewski, of House of Leaves fame, and the musician Poe (Anne Danielewski); 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. He was survived by his widow, Lillian, as well as his former wives, and his three children from his first two marriages.

Filmography

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

References

References

1. Info. regarding Tad Danielewski and Sylvia Daneel (born as Sylwia Jadwiga Łakomska) from the New York City Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center (clippings files/3rd floor)
2. [http://www.aticc.org/home/catablog-items/sylvia-daneel Sylvia Daneel profile] {{Webarchive. link. (2015-10-14 , aticc.org; accessed June 24, 2015.)
3. [http://interactive.ancestrylibrary.com/7733/imusany1824_2147-00054/2621255?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestrylibrary.com%2f%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fgss%3dangs-c%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26gsfn%3dSylvia%26gsln%3dDanielewski%26MSAV%3d0%26uidh%3d57k%26pcat%3dIMG_CITIZENSHIP%26h%3d2621255%26recoff%3d12%2b14%26db%3dnysoundexpet%26indiv%3d1%26ml_rpos%3d1&ssrc=&backlabel=ReturnRecord Extract with birthdate for Sylvia Daneel], ancestry.com; accessed September 3, 2015.
4. [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/36350681 Danielewski biodata], ''The Daily Herald'', [[Provo, Utah]], October 16, 1977, p. 23; accessed August 11, 2014.
5. (January 13, 1993). "Tad Danielewski, An Acting Teacher And a Director, 71, Dead". The New York Times.
6. "About Poe". The Official Poe Music Network.
7. "Official ''Only Revolutions'' website".
8. (January 13, 1993). "Tad Z. Danielewski; Founder of Actors Workshop". Los Angeles Times.