The Kossuth and Jászai Mari prize-winning actor has a thousand ties to the Petőfi Theater in Sopron and the Sopron audience.
In 2023, the general assembly of Sopron awarded Károly Eperjes the title of Honorary Citizen of the City of Sopron. Born in Hegykő, completed his high school studies in Sopron, Kossuth and Jászai Mari prize-winning actor, his career has taken him far, but his connection to his homeland is still alive.
"I was surprised, but especially delighted to receive the recognition. Since this is my third honorary citizen title after Hegykő and Budapest, I know that from now on it will require a greater presence on my part. I try to live up to this non-pregnant, rather blessed responsibility. I note that I am seventy years old, this year I took on a job in Sopron beyond my strength. Next year, although the end of the program is not yet in sight, I don't want to be so burdened," said Károly Eperjes.
"I am indebted to many people for being able to reach the title of honorary citizen. There are so many that I won't mention them by name, so as not to forget anyone. I owe gratitude and thanks to our teachers, doctors, priests, classmates and many others. I think of all of them with love," added the Kossuth and Jászai Mari award-winning actor, who is currently preparing for the role of Szent Fülöp Néri in the play Let's Be Good If You Know, directed by Viktor Nagy. Rehearsals began this week, and the presentation is planned for January 27, 2024.
Károly Eperjes began his acting career as a student of Tamás Major and Gábor Székely in 1976 at the Academy of Theater and Film Arts, the acting ethos that permeated from his masters not only determined his career, but also his entire career.
This is how he began practicing his acting profession at the Csiky Gergely Theater in Kaposvár, then following his masters belonging to the "Kaposvár school" he first became a member of the Budapest National Theater and then the Katona József Theater.
In the same period, the rise of his career as a film actor began, during which his most memorable roles were brought to him by his collaboration with three directors. He got significant roles in the works of István Szabó and then Géza Bereményi. He was at home in almost every film genre and gave memorable performances in Péter Tímár's satirical films, just as he made a great figure as the main character in the 1999 remake of Hippolyt. Those roles in his film career, in which he shaped the small-man figures of the Hungarian reality of the eighties and nineties, are also of lasting value.
Károly Eperjes knows the world of theater and film not only as an actor, but also as an artistic director in managing the Hungarian Theaters in Veszprém, Sopron and Pest.
His teaching activity is also significant: in 2016, he was appointed head of department at the Faculty of Arts of Kaposvár University. He has a thousand ties to the Petőfi Theater in Sopron and to the Sopron audience. He gave a memorable performance as the Button Pusher in Peer Gynt and in two roles in the premiere of God's Comedy, and directed the highly successful performances of Hippolyt and Chicago and Romeo and Juliet.
As a film director, he directed the work of his acting colleagues in his own film Magyar Passion, and is also a regular participant in the exhibitions of visual artists in Sopron.
Károly Eperjes has received many professional and social recognitions during his creative career so far: Kossuth and Jászai prize winner, hereditary member of the Society of the Immortals, honorary citizen of Budapest, holder of the Officer's Cross of the Hungarian Order of Merit and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the Hungarian Film Academy, he won the Széchenyi Heritage Document Award, the Hungarian Art He was elected a regular member of the Academy. Sopron has now joined this with the title of honorary citizen.
Cover photo: Károly Eperjes, the new honorary citizen of Sopron, wishes everyone blessed and peaceful holidays
Source: Kisalföld/: Károly Szalay
