Biography

Julieta Ivanca Szönyi (May 13, 1949 – April 18, 2025) was a celebrated Romanian actress of Hungarian descent, known for her graceful screen presence and memorable roles in Romanian cinema and television. She was born in Timișoara, Romania, and moved to Bucharest at the age of four. Szönyi studied acting at the I. L. Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest, where she developed the craft that would make her one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. She rose to fame in 1972 with her role as Otilia Mărculescu in *Felix și Otilia*, a film adaptation of George Călinescu’s novel. Her performance, marked by subtlety and emotional depth, made a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. She later starred as Adnana in the beloved television series *Toate pânzele sus!* (1976–77), further cementing her status as a cultural icon in Romania. Throughout her career, Julieta Szönyi appeared in numerous films and stage productions, including *Ecaterina Teodoroiu* (1978), *Falansterul* (1979), and *The Whistlers* (2019). She was admired for her elegance, intelligence, and ability to bring complexity to her characters. She came from an artistic family—her father was the painter Ștefan Szönyi, and her sister, Anca Szönyi Thomas, was also an actress. She was married to actor Ákos Gálfi. Julieta Szönyi passed away on April 18, 2025, at the age of 75, after a battle with leukemia. Her death was deeply felt across the Romanian cultural world, where she remains remembered as one of the great actresses of the golden era of Romanian cinema.