The last week of September has started with sad news in Romania, as two of the country’s most loved artists passed away: actor and singer Ioan Gyuri Pascu and actor Sebastian Papaiani (opening picture).

Ioan Gyuri Pascu (picture below), a former member of Divertis, one of the most popular comedy groups in Romania, died on Monday morning, September 26. He was just 55 years old.

He had withdrawn from the artistic life in the last period, due to health problems. On Monday morning, the artist had a heart attack, and the medical teams that arrived at this house couldn’t save his life.

Ioan Gyuri Pascu was born in 1961 and was one of the most popular singers and actors in Romania. He started his music career in 1982, and since then has addressed various musical styles including pop, rock, blues, and reggae.

He later joined comedy group Divertis, which mainly performed political satire, and also played in feature films, theater plays, and TV shows.

Tuesday also started with sad news in Romania, as famous actor Sebastian Papaiani died aged 80. The actor had suffered a stroke in May this year, which really affected his health condition.

He was one of the most loved Romanian actors, having played in both feature films and theater plays. Born in 1936 in Pitesti, he graduated from the Theatrical Arts and Cinematography Institute in 1960, and made his debut in Geo Saizescu’s comedy Un suras in plina vara in 1963. He later starred in some of the most famous Romanian films, including the Brigada Diverse movie series, Asta seara dansam in familie, Pacala, Toate panzele sus, and Nea Marin miliardar.

In 2002, Papaiani was decorated with the Faithful Service National Order in rank of Knight. He also has a star on the Bucharest Walk of Fame.

Other famous Romanian actors have also died this year, including Mircea Albulescu, Radu Beligan, and Mihai Moraru.

May they rest in peace!

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Cinemagia.ro)