Biography
Josef Zíma is a Czech actor, singer, and moderator. Besides pop music, he is recognized as a singer with a brass band and is often called the unruly king of Czech brass band music.
He is married to actress Eva Klepáčová.
After studying in Prague, he pursued acting and also received private singing lessons. From 1948 to 1951, he was a member of the Conservatoire's Folk Ensemble, and since 1950, he performed as a soloist with the Jaroslav Ježek Orchestra. Upon completing his studies, he secured his first acting role in Benešov near Prague, where he worked from 1953 to 1955. Between 1955 and 1957, he served in the army. After his military service, he joined the Theater of Satire (now the ABC Theater at the U Nováků palace). In 1958, he recorded "Blues for You," which was the first record featuring a song written by Jiří Suchý.
In 1959, he was involved in an accident that seriously injured singer and chanterist Judita Čeřovská, Alena Pánková, himself, and director Jiří Jungwirth, who later died in the hospital.
From 1962 to 1992, for 30 years, he was engaged at the Prague Chamber Theater, part of the Prague Municipal Theaters group.
He also performed at the Na Fidlovačce Theater in Prague Nusle, the Music Theater in Karlín, and the Chamber Theater in Pilsen.
Alongside his theater career, he developed as a pop music singer. Early on, he gained nationwide fame through television performances of his songs. His most popular hits include "Gina," "Lovers in Texas," "Green Plains," and "White Crow."
Later, he performed numerous other well-known songs, including duets with singers Pavlína Filipovská, Jana Petrů, and others.
Throughout his career, he recorded about 200 songs and earned three Gold and one Platinum album.
Josef Zíma has a tenor voice that is not overly powerful but is pleasant, cultivated, well-maintained, and capable of conveying a wide range of moods and emotions.
He has also hosted a musical series on Czech Radio for many years.
