Ion Besoiu, one of Romania’s most loved actors, passed away on Wednesday, January 18, at the age of 85. The actor was hospitalized at the Prof. Dr. C.C. Iliescu Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases in Bucharest.

Born in Sibiu in 1931, Ion Besoiu played dozens of roles in movies, theater plays, and TV series. He made his debut in the ‘50s, but became well-known in Romania after playing the leading role in local adventure TV series Toate Panzele Sus!, directed by Mircea Muresan.

He also appeared in dozens of movies, including some of the most important Romanian historical films from the Communist period, such as Neamul Soimarestilor, Haiducii, and Mihai Viteazul.

For almost 16 years, Besoiu played on the stage of Radu Stanca Thater in Sibiu. He then moved to Bucharest, where he played at Bulandra Theater, an institution he also managed for 12 years.

In 2001, Ion Besoiu was declared citizen of honor of Sibiu. In the same year, he was also awarded the National Order "The Star of Romania" with the rank of Knight, for his contribution to the development of the Romanian theatrical art, and his prestigious activity as actor and theater director.

In 2012, Besoiu received the Excellency Prize of Romanian Cinematography. His entire activity also brought him two awards from the Theater Union of Romania (UNITER) and Romania’s Gopo Awards.

In the summer of 2015, Ion Besoiu received a star on the Bucharest Walk of Fame.

Romania loses two beloved artists in two days

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Cinemagia.ro)