Zbigniew Suszyński receives the Marshal’s Film Award
He has played more than 50 theatre roles, appeared in over 100 film and television productions, and lent his voice to around 300 dubbing projects—making him one of Poland’s most versatile actors.
Zbigniew Suszyński will become the 24th laureate of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Film Award named after Pola Negri. He will receive the prize on Sunday, 26 April, the final day of the International Animated Film Festival Animocje in Bydgoszcz. The meeting with the actor, during which he will be honored “for exceptional achievements in dubbing,” will begin at 5:00 PM at the Municipal Cultural Centre. “It will be a unique opportunity to talk about passion, the behind-the-scenes work of a voice actor, and the creative process in dubbing with an artist whose voice has accompanied audiences for generations,” the organizers invite.
From Rypin to the Łódź Film School
Zbigniew Suszyński is among the most recognizable Polish character actors, with a rich artistic output in both film and dubbing. He comes from our region: he was born in 1961 in Rypin. It was at a local cultural center that he developed an interest in theatre and poetry.
“I was inspired by poetry and theatre by Ms. Ewa Różbicka, who felt, understood, and lived poetry. Under her guidance, in our theatre group we prepared, among other things, the nationwide program ‘The Green Goose’ by Gałczyński. Of course, I had a predisposition for acting, but getting from a small town into the film school in Łódź—it seemed like something out of this world,” he recalled in an interview.
He is a graduate of the Acting Department of the National Film, Television and Theatre School in Łódź. He made his stage debut while still a student—in 1986, playing Orlando in “As You Like It” at the Julian Tuwim Studio Theatre in Łódź. After graduation, he performed at the Stefan Jaracz Theatre in Łódź, and later became associated with Warsaw stages, including the New Theatre, Theatre on Wola, and the Contemporary Theatre. Suszyński has a particular fondness for various productions of “The Wedding” by Stanisław Wyspiański, claiming he knows the entire text by heart, having played multiple roles such as Czepiec, the Journalist, the Poet, the Jew, the Father, and the Ghost.
He made his screen debut in 1981 with a minor role in the TV series “Jan Serce.” He gained popularity through roles in films and TV series of the 1980s and 1990s, especially as Krzysztof Buk in “The Last Bell” directed by Magdalena Łazarkiewicz and as “Scorpion” in “Young Wolves” and “Young Wolves ½” by Jarosław Żamojda. In later years, he frequently appeared in supporting roles in popular productions such as “Samowolka,” “M jak miłość,” “Magda M.,” “Klan,” “Na Wspólnej,” “Barwy szczęścia,” “Czas honoru,” and “Blinded by the Lights.”
Prince Charming and Squidward
A significant part of the laureate’s career is dubbing and voice-over work. Suszyński has lent his voice to dozens of characters in animated films and series.
“I have a musical ear and can instantly match a dubbed character, which is why I specialize in this kind of behind-the-scenes work. I can adapt my voice so well that sometimes I improve on the original. I’ve worked on countless American series, and they’re done so that no one can tell it’s dubbing,” he explained. “It’s a natural gift—you either have it or you don’t.”
He is known, among others, as Prince Charming in “Shrek,” the Mayor in “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” Memphis in “Happy Feet,” and RJ the raccoon in “Over the Hedge.” He also dubbed Tom in “Tom and Jerry,” Squidward in “SpongeBob SquarePants,” and the title character in “The Tick.” He is also an accomplished dubbing director, working on series such as “The Tom and Jerry Show,” “Dragon Pilot: Hisone and Masotan,” “Barbie: Dreamtopia,” “Looney Tunes Cartoons,” and “City of Ghosts,” as well as many animated and television films.
The Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Film Award named after Pola Negri has been awarded since 2022. It honors artists and creators—from debutants to established masters—whose work and achievements are of particular importance to Polish cinema.
The statuette, designed by Zbigniew Mikielewicz in the form of a stylized film strip featuring the silent film star Pola Negri, is presented during film festivals held in the region.
This year’s 15th edition of the Animocje Festival takes place in Bydgoszcz from 21 to 26 April. The main partner and patron of the festival is the self-government of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region.
Department of Promotion
Dariusz Czołgowski
24 April 2026