Introduction
Jan Ladislav Rubeš CM (6 June 1920 – 29 June 2009) was a Czech-Canadian bass opera singer and actor.
Life and career
Rubeš was born in Volyně, Czechoslovakia, to Ružena (née Kellnerová) and Jan Rubeš. Not long after World War II, he graduated from the Prague Conservatoire and joined the Prague Opera House as a bass singer. In 1948, he won first prize at the Geneva International Music Festival and emigrated to Canada at the end of the year to pursue a career in a wider sphere. Beginning as a singer with the Canadian Opera Company, he subsequently directed and became director of touring, before switching to radio and television, where he became well known as an actor and presenter in Canada. He is noted for his portrayal of Amish patriarch Eli Lapp in Peter Weir's major-market film Witness and Jan in D2: The Mighty Ducks.
Family
On 22 September 1950, Rubeš was married to actress Susan Douglas; the couple had three sons: Dr. Christopher Jan Rubeš (died 1996), Jonathan Mark Rubeš, and Anthony Dean Rubeš. Their grandson is named Jasan Rubeš.
Death
On 29 June 2009, Rubeš died following a stroke at Toronto General Hospital.
Awards and recognition
- 1989: nominee, 10th Genie Awards, Best Actor, Something About Love
- 1990: winner, Earle Grey Award
- 1995: appointed Member, Order of Canada