RIP Pauls Butkēvičs

 

Latvian actor Pauls Butkēvičs passes away

Latvian Public Service Media

6/12/2026

 

Latvian actor Pauls Butkēvičs, who played approximately 150 roles during his film career, has died at the age of 85, announced Marta Bite, the chairwoman of the board of the Latvian Cinematographers' Union, citing information from the actor's relatives.

Butkēvičs was born in 1940. After graduating from Riga Secondary School No. 11 in 1959, he studied at the Riga Polytechnic Institute (now Riga Technical University) and worked at the "VEF" electrical factory. At the same time, he was actively involved in artistic life at the Dailes Theatre, where he mastered the basics of acting together with several later famous stage artists. He also studied at the Law, History and Philosophy Faculties of the University of Latvia.

Butkēvičs began his career in film in 1963 with a role in the film "Nedziedātā dziesma". A few years later, he got his first leading role in Ada Neretniece's film "Hipokrāta zvērests", and starred in director Rolands Kalniņš' films "Akmens un šķēmbas" and "Elpojiet dziļi".

He went on to star in numerous films and TV series and worked in Russia, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Denmark and India.

In 2016, Butkēvičs was awarded the Fourth Class of the Cross of Recognition for his long-standing and significant contribution to Latvian culture and cinema.

Our condolences to his friends and family.

BUTKEVICS, Pauls (Paul Paulovitch Butkevich)

Born: 8/8/1940, Riga, Latvia, U.S.S.R.

Died: 6/12/2026, Latvia

 

Pauls Butkēvičs – western – actor:

Alaska Kid (TV) – 1993 (Clark)