Wacław Zastrzeżyński (1900-1959) was a Polish actor and theatre director, one of the most prominent figures of the 20th-century Polish stage. His career developed primarily on the stages of major theatres, including the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre in Kraków, the Polish Theatre in Warsaw, and the Stefan Jaracz Theatre in Łódź. He was acclaimed for his intense interpretations of major roles from the classical repertoire, such as King Lear and Shylock in Shakespeare's plays, and of characters from Polish Romantic drama. Alongside his stage career, he appeared in several films, including *Młodość Chopina* (1952) and Andrzej Wajda's celebrated *Pokolenie* (1955). His profound influence on Polish culture was recognized with the highest state honours: for his artistic contributions, he received prestigious awards, including the Order of the Banner of Labour, First Class, and the State Prize, First Degree, which consolidated his status as a leading artist in post-war Poland.