Dem Rădulescu

Dem Rădulescu (Romanian pronunciation: [dem rəduˈlesku] ; 21 September 1931 – 17 September 2000) was a Romanian theatre, film and television actor, and academic. He was also a professor at the Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest.

Rădulescu was born in Râmnicu Vâlcea in a family of merchants. After graduating from the Nicolae Bălcescu High School (now known as Alexandru Lahovari National College) in Râmnicu Vâlcea, he had to make a choice between a career as a professional sportsman (boxing) and acting. He was even awarded a golden star at an amateur boxing championship.

In 1956, he won first prize for interpreting "Steaguri pe turnuri" (he played the bandit Rijikov) at a contest dedicated to young actors. He was then scouted by Sică Alexandrescu which meant the beginning of Rădulescu's acting career. Rădulescu befriended Ion Cojar and Liviu Ciulei; with the later he collaborated for the role of Farfuridi in O scrisoare pierdută, where he had exceptional actors as colleagues: Rodica Tapalagă [ro] , Petre Gheorghiu [ro] , Ștefan Bănică, Mircea Diaconu, Octavian Cotescu, Aurel Cioranu [ro] , and Ciulei himself. Liviu Ciulei called Dem Rădulescu "a genius of acting".

In 1967, Rădulescu was awarded the Order of Cultural Merit [ro] , fourth class.

He died of a heart attack on 17 September 2000 in București, after previously having suffered a stroke.