Gyula Mesterhazy

Gyula Mesterhazy was born in Szombathely and grew up in the picturesque town of Bük near Hungary’s Austrian border. As a child Gyula was active in both team and individual sports (football,athletich,swimming) . At the age of seven he started dancing in the local folk-dance troup where his talents were immediatly noticed and he became one of the star soloist of the ensemble. In his teens his attention switched from dancing to acting which then he decided to concentrate on. His success on stage, his charismatic presence and good physique made him attractive to other industries apart from stage and screen. At the age of 23 he was persuaded by a well known fashion photgrapher to take part in his first fashion shoot. At this time Gyula moved to the capital city of Budapest. The photoshoot was so successful that he became one of the hardest working models in Hungary. He shot over 30 adverts, including global companies such as, Coca-Cola, Schlossgold, Raiffesen Bank and Renault. He also headlined for a number of international fashion brands, for instance he was the European face of Playboy Jeans for a number of years.

Over the coming years he became known outside Hungary and regularly worked in different countries around Europe. His acting and stage experince also gave him a good foundation for working in commercials. Gyula studied acting in the renowned Margit Földessy Acting and Drama Studio and proceeded to join the Studio theatre of the József Attila Theatre. At this time his model carreer also picks up and he recieves continous invites from various asian markets as well as a permanent contract offer, which leaves him with a big decision to make. As a model he faces an opportunity of having an international career, which would not allow him to continue his Hungarian acting career. His commitment to the theatre is proven when he accepts a contract from the National Theatre of Győr in Hungary.

He proceeds to get leading roles in this, the largest West Hungarian theatre. He fast becomes a favourite of audiences in roles like Romeo – from Shakespear’s Romeo and Juliette, Rodolpho – in Arthur Miller’s View from the Bridge or Fetyka in S. Harnick – Jerry Bock’s musical – Fiddler on the Roof. In 2005 he recieves acclaim from the whole theatre community when he gets the Soós Imre prize , awarded each year to the most talented young actor. In 2006 he gets asked to join one of the most well established Budapest theatres, and signs with the Budapest Chamber Theatre, where within a short time he becomes one of the most prolific actors there.

Among his latest roles were Neil Simon: The dinner party–as Claude Pichon, Stephen King: Dolores- as Garett Thibodeau, Darió Niccodemi: L’alba, Il giorno,e la notte (Morning, noon and night) – as Márió, Akutagava-Müller: Rashomon –as Priest .

Gyula is one of Hungary’s most often heard dubbing voices. He also regularly works in Hungarian and international film productions and is playing the recurring role of Péter the ambulance doctor in one of Hungary’s favourite soap operas „ Joban Rosszban” („In good times, in bad times”).

Over the years he has worked with Aidan Quinn in The Prince and the Pauper, with Udo Schenk in La rafle. He partnered with Sahab Hosseini iranian actor in the iranian – french cooproductio of Madare sefr darajeh ( Zero Degrees), a 24 part television series. He also worked with Cynthia Nixon in the movie production of World Without End as well as with Dominic Cooper in Fleming TV mini-series.

After finishing acting school he studied at the Kodolányi János University of Applied Sciences where he recieved his Bachelor of Arts. During this period he was started to work as part of the production staff of a number of national television station’s music and cultural productions. Among others he hosted OPERALIA, which has been founded by Placido Domingo, and is one of the most prestigious international opera competitions of our times. He is also the moderator of the internationally presented and marketed report film, which was recorded at the finals of OPERALIA 200