December 25, 2024, 4:14 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
As soon as it smells of roasted almonds outside again and the Christmas music starts playing, the desire to watch the cult film “Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella” begins again. The movie premiered 51 years ago – but what are the actors actually doing today?
For some, Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella is an integral part of the contemplative pre-Christmas period. The German-Czech production is one of the most famous fairytale films of all time. However, the premiere in 1973 was some time ago. Time to take a look at what the actors in this cult film are up to today.
Cinderella: What Does Libuše Šafránková Do Today?
Libuše Šafránková made her breakthrough at the age of just 20 with her leading role as Cinderella in Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella – straight after completing her acting training. She went on to enchant audiences in other fairy tales such as The Little Mermaid, The Prince of Salt, and The Third Prince (where she also played alongside Cinderella Prince Pavel Trávníček).
In total, she has appeared in over 45 TV productions and various theater plays. From 2014 to 2016, Šafránková battled lung cancer. She was later considered cured but withdrew from the public eye. In 2021, however, she died at the age of 68 as a result of her cancer. She had been married to her husband, Josef Abrhám, who was also an actor, since 1976, and they have a son together. In Germany, Libuše Šafránková was mainly known for her role as Cinderella, but in the Czech Republic, she was considered a great star until her death.
The Prince of Cinderella: What Does Pavel Trávnícek Do Today?
The actor, who at the age of 23 played the prince in Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella and charmed Cinderella, the stepsisters, and the audience alike, now works as a television presenter in the Czech Republic, lends his voice to various characters as a voice actor, and also owns his own theater. The classically trained musician has been featured in over 80 film and television productions to date, frequently reprising roles as a prince in various other fairytale films. He also played the role of Mr. Fröschl in the ARD film Der große Rudolph, a film about the fashion designer Rudolph Moshammer. Privately, he has been married four times. In December 2016, Trávnícek welcomed his third child.
Stepmother and Stepsister: Carola Braunbock and Daniela Hlaváčová
Daniela Hlaváčová, who was pregnant during filming and played Cinderella’s stepsister Dora, now runs a small art school in Prague. Until 2005, she appeared in various Czechoslovakian and Czech series and films. After her role in Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella, the actress continued to work in the industry but has not been seen in front of the camera since 2012.
Carola Braunbock, also known as Cinderella’s wicked stepmother, could already look back on a remarkable filmography before this role. In total, the Bohemian-born actress appeared in over 80 films and television productions. She was also active as a speaker on the radio, acting in theater, and recording radio plays. Braunbock died of cancer in Berlin in 1978 at the age of 54.
“Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella”: The King
Rolf Hoppe, who portrayed the King in Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella, was among the actors who secured numerous roles following the film. He appeared in the film Mephisto, which even won an Oscar in 1981. Hoppe was last seen on screen in 2017, a year marked by his performance in the Spreewald thriller and his receipt of the “fabulix” fairytale film festival prize honoring his lifetime achievements. Throughout his illustrious career, Ralf Hoppe took on more than 400 roles. He passed away on November 14, 2018, at the venerable age of 87.
“Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella”: The Queen Karin Lesch Today
Ralf Hoppe specifically requested his co-star Karin Lesch to play the queen alongside him. However, following the film, she dedicated herself exclusively to theater. Her final film appearance was in 1974, and she currently leads a private life in Berlin.
Hottie of the 90s What “Hercules” star Kevin Sorbo is doing today
Last movie in 2014 What does actress Eva Mendes do today?
40 Years After the Film's Success What the Childlike Empress from “The Neverending Story” Is Doing Today
The Prince’s cCompanions: Jaroslav Drbohlav and Vítězslav Jandák:
Jaroslav Drbohlav, who played the prince’s dark-haired companion, pursued his career as an actor even after Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella. He appeared in countless films and was even present at Prague’s National Theatre and on the theater stage – until his health began to suffer. He developed severe diabetes, lost his sight, and tragically passed away from liver failure in 1985 at the young age of 38. The prince’s blond companion was played by Vítězslav Jandák. He still works as an actor in the film industry today and was even Minister of Culture in the Czech Republic from 2005 to 2006.