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Juozas BudraitisActor
Date of Birth: 06.10.1940
Country:  Lithuania |
Content:
Biography of Juozas Budraitis
Early Life and CareerJuozas Budraitis is a Lithuanian actor who was born on January 14, 1940, in Šilale, Lithuania. He started his career in the film industry with his first role in the movie "Nobody Wanted to Die" in 1965. This film was a breakthrough for Soviet cinema in the 1960s and especially for Lithuanian cinematography, turning previously unknown actors Adomaitis, Budraitis, and Baniulis into stars. Before pursuing acting, Budraitis worked as a worker at a vocational-production combine in Klaipeda from 1958 to 1960. He then attended Vilnius University, where he graduated from the law faculty in 1968.
Acting Career
After completing his studies, Budraitis began working as an actor at the Lithuanian Film Studio in 1968. He also studied at the Higher Two-Year Courses for Screenwriters and Directors at Goskino of the USSR in Moscow from 1976 to 1978. In the 1980s, he worked at the Kaunas Drama Theatre, where his talent was recognized for its restraint, bravery, and psychological depth. Some of his notable roles include Solness in Henrik Ibsen's "The Master Builder" and Herod in Albert Camus' "Caligula."
Filmography
Apart from his stage performances, Budraitis also appeared in various films throughout his career. He gained recognition for his role in the psychological melodrama "Dangerous Age" in 1981, where he played a forty-year-old expert perfumer. The film explored the lack of understanding between a long-married couple whose child had grown up and distanced themselves. In 1983, Budraitis played one of the main roles in the television series "Rich Man, Poor Man" based on the novel by Irwin Shaw, which depicted the life of the Jordache family against the backdrop of 20th-century events. He also starred in films such as "Two Comrades Were Serving," "The Colony of Lanfier," and "That Sweet Word - Freedom."
Later Career
After three decades in the film industry, Budraitis became immensely popular and received numerous letters from female fans, some of whom even proposed marriage. However, he shifted his focus away from acting and became more interested in academic conferences, publishing work, and engaging with people in the field of science rather than his fellow actors. He considered himself an accidental actor, originally intending to pursue a career in law. Despite his statements, Budraitis continued to occasionally appear in films directed by the most progressive and daring filmmakers, such as Roman Kachanov's modern adaptation of "The Idiot" and Yuri Grymov's "The Collector."
Personal Life
Since 1996, Juozas Budraitis has been living in Moscow, Russia, and holds an important position as a cultural advisor at the Embassy of Lithuania. He enjoys meeting various people, not limited to actors, and has found satisfaction in this role. Although he sometimes expresses annoyance with his acting work, Budraitis continues to have a sporadic presence in the film industry. He remains dedicated to his passion for acting, choosing roles that challenge him and working with visionary directors.
