b. 1936, Cluj
Florin Piersic studied at the Bucharest Institute of Dramatic and Cinematic Arts, graduating in 1957. Two years later, he made his stage début at Bucharest’s National Theatre in the title rôle of The Devil’s Disciple. He went on to appear in Optimistic Tragedy, Men and Mice, The Typewriter, Venetian Act, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Orpheus in the Underworld, all of which showcased his acting genius, his naturalness and freshness. He was to have a long and fruitful career in this important Romanian theatre.
His big-screen début was in The Thistles of Bărăgan (1957), in the rôle of Tănase. The Șoimărești Clan (1965), directed by Mircea Drăgan, revealed his talent for historical films, and the same year he appeared in If I were White Arab, directed by Ion Popescu-Gopo. His most famous film rôles include Anghel Șaptecai the Haidouk, Grigore Pintea the Haidouk, and Mărgelatu.
In 1967 he was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit, 5th Class, ‘for exceptional merit in the field of the theatrical arts’. In 2002, the centenary of Romanian cinema, he was decorated, alongside other actors, with the Star of Romania to the rank of Chevalier ‘for his prestigious acting career and the exceptional talent with which he has brought to life the characters he has played both in films and on stage.’
Over the years, Florin Piersic has been made an honorary citizen of Bacău, Cluj, Caracal, Sighet, Suczawa, Baia Mare, Oradea, Bucharest, Galați, and Jassy. In 2011, the Republica Cinema in Cluj was renamed the Florin Piersic Cinema.
Florin Piersic reads poetry by: