Remembering Gábor Forgács: A Life Spiced with Yodeling and Positivity
Gábor Forgács, a name that might not ring a bell for everyone, but for those in the cabaret scene and beyond, he was nothing short of a legend. His daughter, Beáta Győrfi-Forgács, announced his passing on Facebook, a platform where every cat video seems to get more attention than the existential crises of our local artists. Talk about priorities!
Now, let’s dive into Gábor’s life, a man who had a penchant for yodeling (yes, you heard that right). How do you even get into yodeling? Did he wake up one morning and think, “Today, I shall channel my inner Swiss goat!”? But from the age of eight, he was yodeling like a champion. His debut into public life wasn’t just a hop, skip, and jump—he was encouraged to step onto the stage during the 1972 Who Knows What? tin, probably the campiest thing to hit television since someone decided that mullets were fashionable.
In the following years, Gábor transitioned from yodeling to performing in comedies, becoming a fixture in Hungarian theatre. He worked alongside notable figures like János Koós, injecting humor into his acts like a Michelin star chef adding truffle oil. Humor, folks! It’s what makes the world go round, alongside gravity and overpriced lattes.
His career saw him flit between venues like Jókai Theater and Vidám Színpad, performing in every comedy imaginable, all while occasionally moonlighting as a voice in animated cartoons. I mean, who doesn’t want their voice known for portraying cartoon characters and not just the disgruntled neighbor in the background? If you’ve ever thought about how many hats one man can wear, Gábor had the whole wardrobe!
A Life of Resilience
However, life wasn’t always a cabaret for Gábor. In 2020, he was diagnosed with cancer—a serious matter that would send anyone spiraling. But our man was resilient! He faced his health challenges with an attitude so upbeat that even the sun grew envious. “I still have cancer to this day,” he said. “It’s unpleasant, of course, but I’m not going to wallow in gloom!”
“I assumed that they would help me, and of course I would do everything for recovery. And it really happened, three groups of doctors did everything so that I could sit here now.”
Now that’s the spirit! It’s important to maintain positivity because let’s face it: the world is already filled with enough gloom and doom. If he could yodel his way through life challenges and emerge with a smile, then who are we to complain about our morning coffee being slightly too bitter?
Sadly, Gábor passed away at the age of 76, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, positivity, and a reminder that life—much like a good yodel—should be embraced with gusto. So let’s toast to the man who yodeled into the void and reminded us to always find joy in our journey, whether it be through the art of performance or a spontaneous song.
In closure, Gábor Forgács might no longer be with us, but the joy he spread will echo through generations. If that’s not a legacy, I don’t know what is. So here’s to yodeling our way through life while we’ve still got a voice!
(Cover photo: Gábor Forgács on September 19, 2018. Photo: Zsolt Zih / MTVA / MTI)
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The obituary was published by Gábor Forgács’ daughter, Beáta Győrfi-Forgács on his Facebook page. He wrote that his father died on Monday morning and that his funeral would be arranged later.
Gábor Forgács’ hobby was yodeling from the age of eight, and his colleagues talked him into starting the 1972 Who knows what?-tin. 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. Under the influence of János Koós, he began to spice up his performances with humor, with whom he worked 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. Then he entertained again as a freelancer.
He performed mainly in comedies, and he appears mainly in cabaret and entertainment programs on Hungarian Television and RTL Klub. But his voice can also be heard in 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 made funny medleys, which they performed 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. He also rode for a long time.
He was always a positive person
Back in 2020, Gábor Forgács was diagnosed with cancer, and since then he has undergone several operations. The actor later underwent another operation. However, a few months after the operation, another difficulty came into his life after he became infected with the coronavirus.
The actor recently a Ridikül he talked about his illness on the show, as well as how he has always been a positive person, because he is always doing something that he finds joy in. Thus, he faced his illness positively. The actor maintained his positive outlook even when his illness was discovered.
I still have cancer to this day. This disease came quite late, when I was 72 years old. It is a great thing that a person can live 72 years without almost having any problems. Then this disease came, and of course it’s unpleasant at the first moment when the diagnosis is announced, but I’m not willing to fall into gloom because of it. I assumed that they would help me, and of course I would do everything for recovery. And it really happened, three groups of doctors did everything so that I could sit here now
– said in the program, about which the Híradó.hu reported.
Gábor Forgács lived 76 years.
(Cover photo: Gábor Forgács on September 19, 2018. Photo: Zsolt Zih / MTVA / MTI)
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**Interview with Beáta Győrfi-Forgács: Remembering Gábor Forgács**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Beáta. It’s a difficult time, and we appreciate you sharing your father’s story with us. Gábor had a unique flair for performance, and yodeling seems like an unexpected start for a theatre icon. How did he first get into yodeling?
**Beáta Győrfi-Forgács:** Thank you for having me. My father fell in love with yodeling at a very young age—around eight years old. It was almost as if yodeling chose him! He had a natural talent, and it brought him joy. His involvement in the 1972 show *Who Knows What?* was a pivotal moment for him, blending humor and performance from the outset.
**Interviewer:** It’s fascinating how he combined yodeling with comedy. How did he evolve his craft over the years?
**Beáta:** He always had a comedic spirit and, under the influence of performers like János Koós, he began incorporating humor into his acts. He became a household name in Hungary, known for his engaging performances, charming audiences at theaters like the Jókai Theater and Vidám Színpad. His ability to switch from laughter to heartfelt moments was particularly magical.
**Interviewer:** That versatility must have greatly impacted his career. How did he handle challenges, especially after his cancer diagnosis in 2020?
**Beáta:** My father was incredibly resilient. Despite his diagnosis, he remained optimistic and refused to let it define him. He often said, “I still have cancer, but I’m not going to wallow in gloom!” He had this infectious positivity that uplifted those around him, even during tough times. Every operation was a battle, but he faced each one with grace and determination.
**Interviewer:** What do you think will be his lasting legacy?
**Beáta:** Gábor left behind a legacy of laughter, joy, and an unwavering spirit. He showed everyone that life, just like yodeling, is about embracing the highs and the lows with gusto. His unique voice in theater and animation, combined with his passion for spreading happiness, will resonate for generations. He taught us all to find joy in our journey and not take life too seriously.
**Interviewer:** That’s a beautiful sentiment, Beáta. Thank you for sharing those lovely memories of your father with us. He will surely be missed but always remembered.
**Beáta:** Thank you for honoring his life. I believe he would want everyone to keep yodeling through their challenges and to find the humor that life offers.
