Renowned Polish actor Edward Linde-Lubaszenko has died at the age of 86. The news was announced by his son, actor and director Olaf Lubaszenko, who shared an image alongside the short caption: "Goodbye dad." No cause of death has been confirmed. Linde-Lubaszenko appeared in more than 70 films over his career, gaining widespread recognition in Poland for roles in films such as Psy, Róża and Kroll. He was also known for starring in popular TV series such as M jak miłość and Barwy szczęścia. A leading figure in Polish theatre, Linde-Lubaszenko featured in more than 110 stage productions and in over 80 made-for-television theatre performances.

International audiences will recognise Linde-Lubaszenko for his role in Steven Spielberg’s 1993 classic Schindler’s List, where he played the supporting role of the Brinnlitz Priest during the factory sequence. Born in 1939 in Białystok, Linde-Lubaszenko initially studied medicine before deciding to pursue a career in acting. His first role was at the Polski Theatre in Wrocław in 1964 and he spent the next nine years working in theatres across the country.

He eventually joined the Stary Theatre in Kraków, where he went on to perform in more than 50 different roles. Throughout his career, Linde-Lubaszenko collaborated with some of Poland's greatest directors including Andrzej Wajda, Krystian Lupa, Jerzy Jarocki, Konrad Swinarski, Kazimierz Kutz and Krzysztof Zanussi.

Alongside his career, Linde-Lubaszenko was also a longtime theatre educator, teaching at the Stanisław Wyspiański Academy of Theatre Arts in Kraków. He began teaching there in 1981 and later served as dean of the acting department from 1987 to 1990, state news agency PAP reported.

In 2024, Linde-Lubaszenko received Poland’s Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture, an award which recognises outstanding achievements to Polish art and cultural heritage.

Linde-Lubaszenko, who announced his retirement from acting in December, said in a previous interview that he had no intention of leaving a will, explaining that he wanted to live the rest of his life free from the burden of dividing his assets between his ex-wives and children.

The late star was married for times and has two children, Olaf, 57 and daughter Beata, 40, who is an actress.

He said: "I won’t regret what I leave behind. When the time comes, I’ll close different businesses, and I won’t leave anything for others to enjoy. I want to leave here with a clean slate. I know I will go to heaven, so I need a clean record to get in."

After Olaf announced his father's death on social media, tributes flooded in. 

The Stary Theatre described Linde-Lubaszenko as an actor of "brilliant intelligence," and praised his ability to uncover deep psychological truth in his roles.

Another shared: "Known to money changers as 'The Marquis.' Fans who liked to bluff in football poker called him 'Old Thunder.' Died smoking Radomskie cigarettes, Captain Tadeusz Stopczyk and at the same time the boss of all bosses - Krzysztof Jarzyna from Szczecin. Edward Linde-Lubaszenko. Rest in peace."

A third echoed: "Edward Linde-Lubaszenko has crossed to the other side of the Styx. The Boss of All Bosses. He will be sorely missed, because no one smoked Radomskie and such odds and ends like him late into the night. RIP, Boss."