Polish football club Cracovia has paid tribute to Jan Frycz following the death of the prominent actor and lifelong supporter at the age of 72.
Frycz passed away on August 15 at his family home surrounded by his closest relatives, according to a statement released on Monday, August 17 by the National Theatre in Warsaw, where he performed for many years.
Cracovia joined those expressing sorrow by posting a message of condolence across its social media channels. The Krakow club described Frycz as an outstanding theatre, film and television actor who created many memorable roles throughout his career, adding that above all he was one of their own supporters and deeply connected to the institution. The club offered its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.
Cracovia, founded in 1906, is one of the oldest sports clubs in Poland and plays its home matches in Krakow, near the historic Wawel Castle. The team's supporters are colloquially known as Pasy, referencing the club's traditional red and white striped shirts.
Lifelong Support and New Year Tradition
In a 2024 interview with Polish media outlet Interia, Frycz explained that his affection for Cracovia began during his childhood. He recalled having two primary school classmates who went on to play for the club's first team.
The actor spoke fondly of Cracovia's longstanding tradition of holding an open training session every year on January 1. He described those New Year's Day sessions as romantic gatherings where spectators would arrive still hungover from New Year's Eve celebrations. He noted that people brought alcohol hidden in their clothing to keep warm in the cold, engaging in conversations that created a strong feeling of community.
Frycz added during the interview that the atmosphere around the annual event had shifted in modern times, noting that the unique spirit of New Year mischief and fun had largely vanished.
Stage, Screen and Voice Acting Career
Frycz enjoyed a distinguished career across Polish cinema, television and theatre. His prominent screen roles included playing Jarek in the classic film Wielki Szu and appearing in the television drama series Blinded by the Lights.
He earned three Polish Film Awards, known as the Orzel, during his career. He won the best supporting actor award in 2003 for his performance in the film Pornografia. The Orzel is the highest film honor presented annually by the Polish Film Academy.
Younger audiences also recognized his voice performance as the vampire Regis in the Blood and Wine expansion for the video game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. The National Theatre noted that Frycz was associated with its company between 1982 and 1983, before returning to perform with the Warsaw institution from 2006 onward.
