Jaroslava Pokorná

Jaroslava Pokorná, born into a culturally rich family, is the daughter of writer, translator, and theater scholar Jaroslav Pokorný (1920-1983) and translator Marie Pokorná (1922-1969). Her father's second marriage was to actress Libuše Pešková (1924-1994). Jaroslava’s artistic journey began early, as she participated in a drama club during her high school years. She pursued acting studies at DAMU, graduating in 1968. During her studies, she also performed at the Realistické divadlo Zdeňka Nejedlého and Vinohradské divadlo, subsequently joining the Realistické divadlo, where she showcased her talent for nearly 25 years (1968-1991). Following the theater's transformation into Divadlo Labyrint, she remained active there until 1998.

Although she lacked a permanent engagement after 1998, Pokorná continued to perform guest roles in various Prague theaters, including Divadlo v Řeznické and Dejvické divadlo. She also worked with the charity organization Společnost Duha and enjoyed success in roles outside Prague. In addition to her acting career, she has served as a dance education lecturer at a music school in Prague-Modřany and completed postgraduate studies at DAMU.

Pokorná’s early work involved comedic roles, but she later excelled in portraying complex psychological characters, demonstrating a remarkable range of expression and improvisational ability. Her notable stage performances include roles in classics like "The Seagull" and "Cyrano de Bergerac," as well as modern works such as "Lovers from the Kiosk." Recently, she has been acclaimed for her portrayals of eccentric older women, winning the Alfréd Radok Award in 2005 for her performance in "Wild Duck." In film and television, she has appeared in various productions,