| Vlastimil Harapes | |
| Birth Date: | 24 July 1946 |
| Birth Place: | Chomutov, Czechoslovakia |
| Death Place: | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Education: | Prague Dance Conservatory |
| Years Active: | 1964–2024 |
| Party: | Independent |
| Otherparty: | ANO 2011 |
| Spouse: | |
| Partner: | Josef Topol (1971–2015) |
Vlastimil Harapes (24 July 1946 – 15 May 2024) was a Czech dancer, choreographer and actor. He served as the artistic director of the Prague Conservatory.
Harapes was born in a hospital in Chomutov on 24 July 1946, and but was native of Droužkovice, where he lived until the age of 14.[1] His parents led an amateur theatre company, which allowed him to start acting at the age of five.[2] After graduating from the Prague Dance Conservatory in 1965, he got a job at the National Theatre, where he was a soloist until his death.[3] He also studied dance in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
His first wife was .[4] In 1986 he married singer Hana Zagorová in order to adopt a child, the marriage lasted until 1992.[5] However, Harapes lived with a male poet, Josef Topol, for over 44 years. Their relationship was kept a secret until it was revealed to the public in 2013.[6] [7]
Harapes acted in several films throughout his career, notably in (directed by Marie Poledňákové) and Marketa Lazarová (directed by František Vláčil).[8] However, most over his performances were overdubbed over by other actors. With his then wife Zagorová, he performed occasionally as a singer. In 2006, he was a judge in the first season of the show StarDance.
He succumbed to lung cancer[9] on 15 May 2024, at the age of 77.[10] [11]
In 1977 he signed the Anticharter[12] In the 2016 Czech Senate elections, he ran as an Independent candidate, backed by the ANO 2011 Party, in District No. 25.[13] He captured 13.30% of the vote, finishing in 4th place and did not advance to the second round.[14]