Ryszard Bolesławski (born February 4, 1889 in Warsaw, Poland - January 17, 1937 in Los Angeles, California, United States) was a Polish actor and film director.
Born Boleslaw Ryszard Szrednicki, he studied acting at the Moscow School of Art but left Russia after the Revolution in 1917 and made his way to New York City. Known as "Richard", the English spelling of his name, in the 1920s he, along with fellow emigré Maria Ouspenskaya began to teach what would become known as "Method" acting. In 1923, he founded the "American Laboratory [Stage] Theatre" in New York which evolved into the "Actor's Studio".
Offered a contract to direct Hollywood films, he made several significant productions with some of the major stars of the day until his untimely passing a few weeks short of his 48th birthday. He is interred in the Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles.
For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Ryszard Boleslawski has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7021 Hollywood Blvd.
Chronology of films directed by Boleslawski:
(all were produced in the United States unless otherwise noted)
Bolesławski also wrote several books:
- The Way of the Lancer (1932; about the battles of Polish Uhlans in Russia)
- Lance Down
- Six Lessons of Dramatic Art (1933)