László Szabó

László Szabó, born on March 24, 1936, is a distinguished Hungarian actor, director, and screenwriter with a prolific career spanning over seven decades. Since he began acting in 1952, Szabó has featured in more than 120 films, including several that have gained recognition at the Cannes Film Festival.

Born to Béla Szabó and Margit Gulyás, Szabó's artistic journey began while he was a student at Budapest University of Technology from 1954 to 1956, where he honed his craft in an amateur theater group. After failing to gain admission to the Theater and Film Academy, he left Hungary in late 1956 for Paris. There, he immersed himself in the French New Wave movement, engaging with cinematic legends at the Cinémathèque Française and collaborating with directors like Jacques Rivette and Jean-Luc Godard. Notably, he landed roles in Godard’s films, including "The Little Soldier."

Renowned for portraying eccentric characters with complex motivations, Szabó became a favored actor among New Wave filmmakers. He ventured into directing, creating two films that captured the essence of this movement. His film "The White Gloves of the Devil" received commendation from François Truffaut, while "Zig-Zig" featured celebrated actresses Bernadette Lafont and Catherine Deneuve, showcasing his ability to blend humor and sensitivity.

In the late 1960s, Szabó returned to Hungarian cinema, eventually taking a leading role in "The Nice Neighbor." He also directed his first Hungarian-French film, "Sortűz for a Black Buffalo," based on Nándor Gion's novel, and "The Man Who Slept During the Day," marking significant milestones in his directorial career.