Famous Romanian Actors

Sebastian Stan serves as an inspiration to many youngsters as he overcame his difficult beginnings to become a popular actor in the American film industry. A self-made man, he learned the art of acting at the prestigious Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London and went on to star in hit films like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame.

Romanian-born US actor and producer John Houseman is remembered for his Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winning role in The Paper Chase. Primarily a character actor, he also gained fame as a theater director and producer and collaborated with director Orson Welles on many projects.

Alec Secareanu is a Romanian actor who achieved international fame in 2017, when he played Gheorghe Ionescu in the British romantic drama film God's Own Country. In the same year, he received a nomination for Best Actor at the British Independent Film Awards for his performance in the film.

With 15 albums that have topped the German music charts, Romanian-born German musician Peter Maffay, holds the German record for the highest number of no. 1 albums. He excelled in both rock and schlager and created the media franchise Tabaluga that featured a green dragon. He also launched a foundation for abused children.

Prince Radu of Romania is the husband of Margareta of Romania, the eldest daughter of former Romanian king, Michael I. He met Margareta at an orphanage where he worked using art therapy. He has penned several books and has also helped integrate Romania into NATO.

Romanian actor Florin Piersic is best known for his Margelatu series films. Known for his masculine characters, he was also the star of the fantasy film The White Moor. In 2006, he was named to the 100 Greatest Romanians list. He voiced Mack in the Romanian dubbed version of Cars.

One of Romania’s best-known film and stage actors, Marcel Iureș currently presides over the Anonimul International Film Festival and the Ideo Ideis Festival. He has also appeared in Hollywood movies such as Mission: Impossible and Interview with the Vampire. He has also voiced characters in several Disney dubbed films.

Cabral Ibacka is a Romanian actor, television personality, Tae Bo coach, and philanthropist. After starting his career in kickboxing and Muay Thai, Ibacka went on to establish himself as a TV host. He then gravitated towards acting and achieved popularity as an actor in 2005, when he portrayed Eduard Bălan in the popular miniseries Băieți buni. 

Vlad Ivanov is a Romanian actor best known for playing Mr. Bebe in the 2007 art film 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. His performance in the film earned him the Gopo Award under the Best Supporting Actor category in 2008. In 2010, Vlad Ivanov received another Gopo Award for playing Anghelache in the 2009 drama film Police, Adjective. 

Tudor Chirilă is a Romanian actor, composer, musician, and producer. He achieved popularity as the lead singer of a band named Vama Veche. Apart from his work as an actor and singer, Tudor Chirilă is also known for his social work. In 2005, he initiated a campaign called Live pentru viață, which aimed at gathering donations for flood victims.

Ștefan Bănică, Jr. is a Romanian TV presenter and entertainer. He is best known for presenting the popular TV show, Dansez pentru tine, the Romanian version of Dancing with the Stars. In addition to appearing on TV shows, Ștefan Bănică Jr. has also released rock music albums.

Romanian stage and film actor Dem Rădulescu is remembered for his roles in films such as Brigada Diverse în alertă! and The Lace Wars. He also taught at Bucharest’s National University of Theater and Cinematographic Art. He was later awarded the Order of Cultural Merit for his contribution to cinema and theater.

Joseph Schmidt was a Romanian and Austro-Hungarian Jewish actor and tenor. At the peak of his career, Schmidt came up with several best-selling recordings. His records were sold in many European countries and also in the English-speaking world. As an actor, Schmidt played important roles in films like My Song Goes Round the World and A Star Fell from Heaven.

Amza Pellea was a Romanian actor best remembered for his portrayal of Romanian national heroes in films. He started his career as a theatre actor before establishing himself as a film actor, playing historical Romanian leaders. Amza Pellea also worked as a professor at the Caragiale National University of Theatre and Film in Bucharest.

Raul Cristian is a Romanian pornographic film actor and director. He is best known for directing more than 150 porn films. Apart from working as a director and actor, Raul Cristian has also worked as a cinematographer in few pornographic films.

Dragoș Bucur is a Romanian actor and TV presenter. He came into prominence in 2009, when he played Cristi in the drama film Police, Adjective, which earned him critical acclaim. In addition to being an actor, Dragoș Bucur is also a popular TV host. He has hosted several shows like Câștigi fără să știi, Marfă, and Jurnal de călătorie.

Sergiu Nicolaescu was a Romanian actor, film director, and politician. He is best remembered for his historical films like Mihai Viteazul and Dacii. After starting his career in Romania, Nicolaescu eventually moved to the USA, where he had a successful career. As a politician, Sergiu Nicolaescu played an important role in the 1989 Romanian Revolution.

Bernard Natan was a French-Romanian actor, director, and film entrepreneur. He achieved popularity during the 1920s and 1930s. After starting his career as a projectionist, Natan worked his way up to establish himself as a cinematographer and producer. Bernard Natan helped revolutionize the technological aspect of filmmaking around the world.

Romanian singer, presenter, and actor Dan Bittman has been the lead vocalist for the groups Holograf and IRIS. The hard rock and pop rock musician has also represented Romania in the Eurovision contest and has hosted the show Dănutz SRL. He is also a recipient of the Order of Cultural Merit.

Romanian-born Swiss artist Daniel Spoerri is best known for creating snare-pictures, which consist of object bits, usually tableware, attached to a board and put up on the wall. Interestingly, he had initially studied classical dance and had even been the State Opera of Bern’s lead dancer. He is associated with the Fluxus movement.

Romanian musician and actor Tudor Gheorghe is also one of the finest 20th-century poets from his country. Born to an Iron Guard member, he gained fame for his anti-communist activism and was later forced to take a 4-year hiatus by the Communist authorities. He later received the Order of the Star of Romania.

Romanian singer, actor, and TV star Răzvan Fodor has been the lead vocalist of the Romania rock band Krypton. His track Lasa-mi speranta became a European hit. He has also hosted MasterChef România and been part of movies such as Milionari de weekend and series such as Pacatele Evei.

Romanian actor Ștefan Iordache is remembered for his movies such as The Earth's Most Beloved Son and Those Who Pay with Their Lives. His film De ce trag clopotele, Mitică?, or Carnival Scenes, was banned in Romania and only released after the 1989 revolution. He was voted Romania’s best actor in 2006.

Romanian film and stage actor Vladimir Găitan began his movie career with the film Reconstituirea. He later appeared in films such as Sageata capitanului Ion and Zbor periculos. He was associated with Bucharest’s Teatrul de Comedie and later received the National Order of the Faithful Service.

Romanian film and theater actor Iurie Darie is best known for films such as The Bugler's Grandsons. A talented illustrator, too, he cleared the entrance exams for the Institute of Fine Arts and of the Theater and Cinematographic Art, but chose the latter. He later received the Order of the Faithful Service.

Șerban Cantacuzino reigned as the Prince of Wallachia from 1678 to 1688. He is credited with introducing maize to Wallachia and Romania. Șerban Cantacuzino also played a major role in establishing various printing presses and is best remembered for having commissioned the famous Cantacuzino Bible.

Initially a stage actor, Lupu Pick later gained fame as one of Romania’s best filmmakers of the silent era. He co-founded the Rex-Film GmbH studio and also served on the boards of association such as the Film Association of Industrialists. He was also the first chairperson of Filmmakers in Germany.

Romanian actor Șerban Ionescu is remembered for his iconic role in the film The Revolt, or Rascoala, and was also a prominent face at Bucharest’s National Theater. He was later diagnosed with the incurable degenerative disease ALS and died at age 62.

Gunther Philipp was an Austrian actor, scriptwriter, swimmer, and physician.  Best remembered for his portrayal of comic roles, Philipp appeared in 147 films between 1949 and 2002. He also wrote scripts for 21 films over the course of his career. Also a competitive swimmer, Gunther Philipp held the Austrian record for 14 years in the 100-meter breaststroke.

Romanian former politician and entrepreneur Relu Fenechiu was part of the National Liberal Party and has been Romania’s transport minister, too. However, he was charged and convicted of corruption later and even served a 3.5-year jail term. He was initially the director of the construction firm company Fene Grup S.A.

Costache Caragiale was a Romanian theatre manager and actor. He played a prominent role in the progression of the Romanian theatre. Costache Caragiale is best remembered for his association with the National Theatre of Bucharest, where he served as the first director from 1852 to 1855.