Actor, director, singer and screenwriter Josef Laufer died at the age of 84. The popular artist underwent a planned heart valve operation in March 2020, but complications arose and doctors put him in artificial sleep, in which he remained until his death. Colleagues and friends remember and offer their condolences to the daughter and family…
“Dear Pepík, you are laughing together again up there. We will remember with the greatest love. Ivana,” wrote Ivana Gottová, widow of Karl Gottová, on Instagram. She then complemented the sad message with a beautiful photo of the two men and added: “A wonderful memory from Karl’s 80th birthday by photographer Petr Kozlík.”
“I’ve thought about him often these past years, but I never dared to visit him in the hospital. I wanted to remember Pepa like this. As a charismatic man with a captivating voice. I say Pepa, but I should actually write Don José, that was his real name. His life was an extremely interesting, intricate, finished novel. I love you, Pepíčka, thank you for a lot of shared experiences and enjoy the endless big beat party up there.” Jitka Zelenková sent a message from Canada, where she was performing.
“Josef Laufer, Pepa, I’m so sorry. There weren’t days when I thought about you and looked forward to seeing you again… Thank you so much for everything you have done for me and how you have always supported me as a friend. Your wonderful advice on the stage boards at the musical Hamlet /couldn’t have done it without you/, my pleasure that you accepted the invitation for the Christmas tour, our wonderful friendly conversations, there are so many – moments I will never forget… THANK YOU! Take care up there. Sincere condolences to the family. Sincerely, Petr Bende.”
“I’ll never forget these moments, Pippi” Dáša Zázvůrková recalled and added several photos where together with the actress Jitka Sedláčková they kiss Laufer’s cheeks.
“Mr. Josef Laufer. Thank you for everything… Even for that last chocolate.” recalls Beata Rajská.
“Josef Laufer was welcoming, humane, relaxed and charming. I honestly think they should have disconnected him a long time ago because he wasn’t even expected to recover,” director Zdeněk Troška said on the CNN Prima NEWS broadcastwho made the film series Stonemanin which Laufer played the role of Leo Kohn.
“I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like him. He himself did not slander anyone, he never made a stupid comment about anyone. It was a Spanish grand,” added the well-known Czech director.
“It was an honor for me to meet you at performances, on stages, where you excelled with your brilliance and professionalism. I leaf through your books, turning the pages and sadly mixing with the light you always radiated. Let them escort you up there. You will stay in my heart forever” remembers the singer and actress Yvetta Blanarovičová.
“I was struck by the news of Josef Laufer’s death. Not only was he the godfather of my album Manifest from 2013, but he was also a good friend of my late friend Aleš Buksa. We often met at various concerts, the last time just before his fatal surgery. He was a wonderful companion, funny and kind person. A singer with great charisma. My condolences to the family,” singer Martin Chodúr recalls.
Jana Adamcová added a special memory of Laufer on Facebook. “I can’t delete some numbers,” wrote Jiří Adamec’s wife and added a black heart.
“It was with deep sadness and pain that I received the news that an exceptional singer and actor, a great colleague and friend, Josef Laufer, has passed away. An artist whose songs have spanned generations, including mine. Rest in peace, today is the time you’ve been singing about all your life – Goodbye love, I’m moving on,“ sad Slovak star Marika Gombitová.
Moderator Eva Decastelo she met Josef in the company, so she just added a photo of her sitting at the bar. “That’s how I’ll remember you,” she wrote.
“I liked Pepa very much. We met at events, concerts and above all at the Petr Huťka Tennis Academy in Přerov. He always elegant, with his signature cigar. Together we remembered the musical greats and my dad, with whom Josef studied at DAMU. I will miss you, Pepa,” violinist Pavel Šporcl recalls.
“We have been working together with Pepík for the last 15, 20 years. He had many roles on Broadway. And above all, we regularly went out for beer with a group of friends. And he was always full of life. I remember his concert in Hybernia for his 80th birthday, it wasn’t a grind, but it was a concert full of energy. And Pepík is always full of plans,” recalls producer Oldřich Lichtenberg.
“My mother liked Pepa. And every time I saw Pepa, he greeted her. He was a charismatic gentleman and, above all, easy-going with a mischievous smile. At least that’s how I remember him. Fate prepared a difficult life test for him. Perhaps this is the first time I write that someone is redeemed by death. Josef Laufer he died. In the hearts of us who walk on in life, not only yours will remain: ‘Goodbye, Love, I’m going on…’ Happy journey to eternity… nothing hurts there anymore.” written by Honza Musil.
“We are very sorry for this news, they were great friends with Vašek. I hope he is better now, my sincere condolences to the family.” it is written on Václav Neckár’s website.
