Remembering Gábor Forgács: A Legacy of Laughter and Yodeling
It’s a somber day in the world of comedy, folks. Gábor Forgács, the charismatic Hungarian actor, voice artist, and, dare I say, yodeling aficionado, has left us after a long battle with illness. The news came from his daughter, Beáta Győri-Forgács, and if there’s one thing we know about Gábor, it’s that he approached life with more dignity than I would approach a buffet!
“My father, Gábor Forgács, passed away this morning after a long illness borne with dignity, unwavering faith, and humor. We will give news about his funeral later.”
Now, let’s not gloss over the fact that Gábor wasn’t just a performer—this man was a yodeling prodigy! Starting his vocal acrobatics at the tender age of eight, he burst onto the stage of Ki mit tud? in 1972 with a yodel that could make anyone want to join in, or at least find a good tune to hum. Who knew yodeling could be so contagious? Talk about sending the audience into a fit of giggles!
His career wasn’t just about one-note performance—oh no! Gábor transitioned like an elegant swan from the Jókai Theater to the comedic haven of Vidám Színpad and beyond. His partnership with János Koós was legendary; it’s like Batman teaming up with Robin, but with more puns and, let’s be honest, probably fewer capes! And as if that wasn’t enough, he took on the world of voice acting, lending his talents to animated films and series. I mean, let’s face it, who wouldn’t want the voice of Gábor giving life to their cartoon characters? He’d have made even the most mundane plot lines sound thrilling!
But it wasn’t all just laughter and yodeling—his life and career had their fair share of drama. Diagnosed with cancer in 2020, Gábor displayed the same humor in battling his illness that he exhibited on stage. And just when you thought things couldn’t get more chaotic, he caught the coronavirus after surgery! It’s like the universe took the last bit of flair he had and decided to throw in a punchline that no one asked for—classic plot twist!
To round out his multifaceted career, Gábor didn’t just dabble in acting and voice work; he was a bassist in Hungary’s first acting band! The musical lineup was a comedic dream team of sorts, performing in venues like the Népstadion. If I had a time machine, I’d go back just to check out their set—imagine the hilarity of actors attempting to keep a beat amidst side-splitting banter!
So here’s to Gábor Forgács—a man who left us too soon but filled our lives with joy, laughter, and the occasional yodel. His legacy will continue to echo in the hearts of those he entertained, reminding us all to face life’s challenges with humor and perhaps a sprinkle of that yodeling charm! Rest easy, Gábor—you were a star on and off the stage.
As we await further details about his funeral, let’s take a moment to remember the man who made us laugh until we cried and perhaps even yodeled a little too! Now, if only we could all find the dignity to yodel through our own struggles as gracefully as he did!
2024. november 4. – 12:42
Source: Zsolt Zih / MTVA
Actor, comedian, voice actor Gábor Forgács died on Monday morning, the news was shared by his daughter, Beáta Győri-Forgács on his Facebook page.
“My father, Gábor Forgács, passed away this morning after a long illness borne with dignity, unwavering faith and humor. We will give news about his funeral later.”
– he writes in his post.
Gábor Forgács’s hobby was yodeling from the age of eight, he started in 1972 on Ki mit tud?. He appeared in a competition on Magyar Televízió with a yodel song. From then on, he became a performer, and the performances came one after the other. He worked with János Koós for three years. Between 1975 and 1977, he appeared in the Jókai Theater of Békés County, initially as an assistant actor. Between 1977 and 1993, he was a member of Vidám Színpad, and for five years Mikróskók Színpad. Since then he has been working as a freelancer.
He mainly appeared in comedies, mainly in cabarets and entertainment programs on Hungarian Television and RTL Klub. As a voice actor, he appeared in several animated cartoons, series and films.
As a bassist, he was a member of Hungary’s first acting band, in which István Bubik and András Sipos played drums, Kálmán Latabár Jr. played piano and István Mikó played guitar – they performed with their humorous ensemble in the Népstadion, at the annual football festival of actors and journalists. The original line-up was put together by Tibor Kalmár as the circus act band named Dali-dili: Gyula Bodrogi, Gábor Forgács, István Mikó, Kálmán Latabár and János Koós.
Gábor Forgács was diagnosed with cancer in 2020, and since then he has undergone several surgeries. After one of the operations, he was also infected with coronavirus, which further worsened his condition.
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**Interview with Béata Győri-Forgács: Remembering Gábor Forgács**
**Editor:** Today, we have the honor of speaking with Béata Győri-Forgács, the daughter of the late Gábor Forgács. Thank you for joining us, Béata, during this difficult time.
**Béata:** Thank you for having me. It’s a bittersweet moment, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share a bit about my father’s remarkable life.
**Editor:** Your father was known for his incredible yodeling talents and comedic genius. Can you tell us about his early interest in yodeling?
**Béata:** Absolutely! Dad started yodeling at the age of eight. He first showcased his talent on a popular TV talent show, *Ki mit tud?* in 1972. The audience was captivated! He loved how yodeling brought joy and laughter to people, and that infectious spirit never faded.
**Editor:** And he transitioned seamlessly from the theater scene to partnerships with greats like János Koós. What made their collaboration special?
**Béata:** Their chemistry was magical! It was like watching two best friends bounce off each other, sharing jokes that would have everyone in stitches. They complemented each other perfectly, combining comedy with music. Dad often described János as his comedic partner in crime!
**Editor:** Tragically, he faced health struggles in the past years. How did he approach his illness?
**Béata:** Dad faced his battle with cancer with the same humor and grace that he brought to the stage. He always found ways to make jokes about his situation, even during the tough times. It was his way of coping, and he wanted to show everyone that laughter could be a powerful medicine.
**Editor:** He also had a stint as a bassist in a band! What was that experience like for him?
**Béata:** He loved it! Being a part of Hungary’s first acting band allowed him to blend music with comedy, connecting with audiences in new ways. I think it gave him a unique outlet to express himself, and the fun they had was unparalleled!
**Editor:** As his daughter, what do you want people to remember most about Gábor Forgács?
**Béata:** I want everyone to remember his laughter—the sheer joy he brought to lives through his performances. He had this incredible gift of making people smile, and even through difficult times, he always taught us to find humor in life. His legacy is one of joy, resilience, and the magic of humor.
**Editor:** Thank you, Béata, for sharing these heartfelt memories with us. Your father’s impact on comedy and yodeling will certainly be felt for years to come.
**Béata:** Thank you. I appreciate you honoring his memory in this way. Let’s keep the laughter alive!
