Romanian director Alexandru Tocilescu, one of the most important names in the Romanian theater, died Tuesday (November 29) evening in Bucharest at the age of 65. He went into cardiopulmonary arrest after taking an overdose of drugs for his heart disease, according to Romanian newswires.

Born on July 27, 1946, Alexandru Tocilescu is one of the most acclaimed Romanian theater directors. He directed over 30 successful plays on stages across Romania, such as Satu Mare, Braila, Pitesti, Piatra Neamt, Constanta and Bucharest. In 1992, he received the UNITER prize for Best Play for ‘A Lost Letter’ by I.L. Caragiale (O scrisoare pierduta), while in 2002 he was awarded the UNITER lifetime achievement award. Also, in 2006, Alexandru Tocilescu received the prize for Best Director with ‘A Day in the Life of Nicolae Ceausescu’ (O zi din viata lui Nicolae Ceausescu), at the Romanian Comedy Festival.

In July this year the Romanian director received a star on the Walk of Fame located in Timpului Square in Bucharest, a cultural project that celebrates excellence in Romanian theater and film.

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

(photo source: Romanian Walk of Fame/Cocor Shopping Center)