Jan Rubeš

Born: 1920-06-06 in Volyně, Czechoslovakia

Died: 2009-06-29

Known For: Acting

Biography

Jan Ladislav Rubeš CM (6 June 1920 – 29 June 2009) was a Czech-Canadian bass opera singer and actor. Born in Czechoslovakia, he graduated in 1945 from the Conservatory of Music in Prague. Rubes went on to join the Prague Opera House as their youngest basso singer. He also performed at the Pilsen Opera House in leading roles in his early years. By 1948, he was chosen to represent Czechoslovakia at the International Music Festival held in Geneva and won first prize in his category. He emigrated to Canada on New Year's Eve 1948 with hopes of creating a greater musical career. As a member of the Canadian Opera Company, he achieved recognition for his roles, as Boris in "Boris Godunov", Schigolch in "Lulu" and as Mephisto in "Faust". As well, he served as the company's director of touring and program development. Branching out into radio and, eventually, TV, he wrote and hosted from 1975-83 TVOntario's "Guess What?" and acted in many TV dramas, later receiving the Earle Grey Award for lifetime work in Canadian television.

Filmography

2005

Tilt as Frank Modeste
Our Fathers as Pope John Paul

2004

Daniel and the Superdogs as The Colonel

2002

The Burial Society as Marvin Telekunsky

2001

Anthrax as Arthur Kowalski

2000

Believe as Jason Stiles
The Christmas Secret as Andree

1999

Snow Falling on Cedars as Ole Jurgensen
What Katy Did as Dr. Reinhart
Nightmare Man as Evan Hannibal

1998

Music from Another Room as Louis Klammer
The White Raven as Markus Strand
Rescuers: Stories of Courage - Two Couples as Hendrick de Vries

1997

Stargate SG-1 as Nicholas Ballard
The Third Twin as Mr. Oliver
Sarabande as Dr. Kassovitz
Flood: A River's Rampage as Jacob Gunderson

1996

Never Too Late as Joseph

1995

The Outer Limits as Robert Greene / Older Karl Rademacher
Roommates as Bolek Krupa
Serving in Silence - The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story as Far

1994

ER as Mr. Duzak
Due South as Dr. Mort Gustafson
D2: The Mighty Ducks as Jan
Mesmer as Professor Stoerk
The Birds II: Land's End as Karl
Boozecan as Pops
Lamb Chop in the Haunted Studio as Phantom

1993

The X-Files as Vassily Peskow (uncredited)
On My Own as The Colonel

1992

By Way of the Stars as Hausierer Nathan
Devlin as Vittorio Di Fabrizi
The Witches of Eastwick as Fidel

1991

Deceived as Tomasz
Class Action as Pavel

1990

The Amityville Curse as The Priest
Descending Angel as Bishop Dancu
Courage Mountain as Grandfather
Divided Loyalties
F-E-D-A

1989

The Experts as Illyich
Cold Front as Zoubov
Blind Fear as Lasky

1988

War of the Worlds as Dr. Von Deer
The Kiss as Gordon Tobin
The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glick as Augustus Glick
Something About Love
Blood Relations as Andreas
No Blame

1987

Dead of Winter as Dr. Joseph Lewis

1986

Kay O'Brien
The Marriage Bed as Max Ehrlich

1985

Witness as Eli Lapp
Kane & Abel as The Polish Consul
One Magic Christmas as Santa Claus
Murder: By Reason of Insanity as Giorgi Denerenko (uncredited)
Murder in Space as Gregory Denarenko
Charlie Grant's War as Jacob