Szabó Sándor színművész Plaque

Sándor Szabó, a name that resonates with the grand stages of Budapest, lived and breathed within the very walls that bear this plaque. The Szabó Sándor szinművész Plaque, placed here in 2007 by the Belváros-Lipótváros municipality, commemorates a life dedicated to the art of acting. It proudly proclaims his achievements: Kossuth Prize winner, Meritorious and Excellent Artist. Sándor Szabó’s journey began in Budapest, on April 25, 1915. His parents, Ernő Szabó, a clerk from Nagyvárad, and Katalin Pálffy Farkas, from Kolozsvár, nurtured his talent from a young age. Little Sándor, the youngest of six children, grew up in the bustling “Csikágó” district. His mother, a woman of remarkable determination, continued her studies at the Kolozsvár Theatre Academy even while expecting him. This artistic spirit clearly influenced young Sándor, who went on to graduate from the Academy of Performing Arts in 1937. He immediately joined the prestigious National Theatre, a testament to his early promise. His career, however, was not without its challenges. In 1946, he faced a year-long ban from acting imposed by the Qualification Committee. Undeterred, Szabó returned to the stage, gracing the Vígszínház, then the Művész Színház, the Miskolc National Theatre, and finally the Úttörő Színház. His path led him to the Hungarian People’s Army Theatre until 1956, when he made the difficult decision to leave Hungary. In America, Szabó continued to pursue his passion. He became an organizer, then a member, of the Petőfi Theatre in New York. He even graced the stages of Broadway and Hollywood, further honing his craft. In 1976, he returned to his beloved Budapest. He joined the Pécs National Theatre and later the Vígszínház once again. From 1984 until his death in 1997, he was a cherished member of the Madách Theatre. Sándor Szabó’s artistic contributions extended beyond the stage. His film debut was in the 1938 film “Princess of the Puszta.” His final on-screen appearance came posthumously in the 1998 television film “Ábel Amerikában.” From Dérryné to Szucsinka the vicar in “A Különös Házasság,” his roles resonated with audiences. In America, he appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Topáz.” This plaque serves as a silent applause to Sándor Szabó, a reminder of the enduring power of art. It is a testament to a man who dedicated his life to the stage and screen, leaving an indelible mark on Hungarian theatre and film.