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 the most versatile Polish actors.
Zbigniew Suszyński has become the 24th recipient of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region Film Award named after Pola Negri, “for outstanding achievements in the field of dubbing.” He received the award on Sunday, April 26, the final day of the Animocje International Animated Film Festival in Bydgoszcz. It was a rare opportunity to talk with the artist—whose voice has accompanied generations of viewers—about his passion, the behind-the-scenes work of a voice actor, and the creative process of dubbing.
From Rypin to the Łódź Film School
Zbigniew Suszyński is among the most recognizable Polish character actors, with an extensive artistic output in both film and dubbing. He comes from the region—he was born in 1961 in Rypin. It was at a local cultural center that he first developed an interest in theatre and poetry.
“Ewa Różbicka inspired my love of poetry and theatre—she truly felt, understood, and lived poetry. Under her guidance, we prepared, among other things, a nationwide program based on Gałczyński’s ‘Green Goose.’ Of course, I had a talent 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 one interview.
He is a graduate of the acting department of the National Film School in Łódź. He made his stage debut while still a student—in 1986 he played 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, Teatr na Woli, 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 performances in films and 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 was frequently cast in supporting roles, appearing 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 Tentacles
A major 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 match a dubbed character instantly, which is why I specialize in this kind of behind-the-scenes work. I can adapt my voice so well that sometimes I even improve on the original. I’ve worked on many American series where my dubbing is done in such a way that no one realizes it’s dubbed,” he explained. “It’s a natural gift—you either have it or you don’t.”
Audiences know him, 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 has also dubbed Tom in “Tom and Jerry,” Squidward Tentacles 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 numerous 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.
Other recipients of the Marshal’s Film Award
The statuette, designed by Zbigniew Mikielewicz in the form of a stylized strip of film featuring the image of silent film star Pola Negri, is presented during film festivals held in the region.
Department of Promotion
Dariusz Czołgowski
April 27, 2026