Tomasz Grochoczyński – a graduate of the PWST in Warsaw, a Polish theatre, film and dubbing actor, as well as a television presenter. He is best known for voicing Arktos in the Polish version of the animated series Tabaluga. He made his stage debut in 1970 at the Dramatic Theatre in Poznań. From 1985 to 1990 he served as director and artistic director of the Szaniawski Theatre in Płock, and from 1992 to 1993 as artistic director of the Impresary Theatre in Włocławek. Since 1996 he has been a lecturer at the Theatre Academy in Warsaw. Between 2008 and 2012 he was dean of the Acting Department, and from 2012 to 2016 vice-rector for student affairs.
He has been a member of the Association of Polish Stage Artists (ZASP) since 1971, actively supporting fellow artists for many years. He has served as Chair of the Programme Council at the ZASP Main Board, Chair of the Warsaw Branch, for many years Treasurer of the ZASP Main Board, and a member of the Board of the Dubbing Section. A Meritorious Member of ZASP, he is known as a passionate community worker and organiser.
In 1999, he hosted the fishing programme Na ryby (“Going Fishing”) on Nasza TV, as fishing is one of his great passions, which he enjoys sharing not only with friends but also with other keen anglers. He uses professional fishing equipment – he certainly doesn’t fish “with just a piece of string” – and his catches often spark the envy of fellow anglers. For years, he has kept his father’s bamboo fishing rods in his wardrobe, treating them almost like relics.
He has been a member of the Polish Angling Association since 1973 and has passed his passion on to his son and grandson. For nearly 30 years he has taken part in fishing competitions organised by actor Robert Czebotar. These gatherings bring together all angling artists. As he says about himself: “I’m lazy, so I follow the rule: catch and release.”
He is most often found by the Narew River, where he fishes with family and friends. During these trips, answering the phone is strictly forbidden. Anyone who breaks this rule must face the consequences.
His greatest fishing trophies are a four-kilogram bream and a three-kilogram tench; however, as he says, he doesn’t fish for records but for the passion and pleasure – which he also finds in books and photography.
Awards and distinctions:
1972 – Rector’s Award of the PWST in Warsaw for graduates, for achievements after two years of theatre work
1977 – Bronze Cross of Merit
1985 – distinction at the IFSDiM Festival in Wałbrzych for choreography in the play The Adventures of the Traveller Pips by Stefan Friedmann
2010 – Bronze Medal “Gloria Artis – Meritorious for Culture”
Prepared by
Julia Bromberek
