Irena Kwiatkowska

Irena Kwiatkowska (17 September 1912┬áÔ[][] 3 March 2011) was a popular Polish actress, known in Poland for her many cabaret roles and monologues, as well as appearances in (mostly comedy) movies and television shows. Kwiatkowska graduated from the Pa┼[]stwowy Instytut Sztuki Teatralnej (National Theatrical Arts Institute) in 1935. Until the outbreak of the World War II, she appeared in the Teatr Powszechny in Warsaw, Teatr Nowy in Pozna┼[], Teatr Polski in Katowice, and in Wilno. During the War, she fought in the Armia Krajowa and participated in the Warsaw Uprising. Kwiatkowska''s first appearance after the War was in the Siedem Kot├│w (Seven Cats) cabaret in Krak├│w, where the renowned Polish poet, Konstanty Ildefons Ga┼[]czy┼[]ski, authored a number of roles for her. Ga┼[]czy┼[]ski allegedly created the prominent character of Hermenegilda Kociubi┼[]ska with Kwiatkowska in mind. In 1948 she came back to Warsaw, appearing in the Teatr Syrena and, now-legendary, Dudek and Szpak cabarets. She was also a prominent member of the cast in the famous televised Kabaret Starszych Pan├│w.