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Sergiu Nicolaescu is a Actor, Director, Scriptwriter, Second Unit Director, Production Design and Script Roumain born on 13 april 1930 at Târgu Jiu (Roumanie)

Sergiu Nicolaescu

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Birth name Sergiu Florin Nicolaescu
Nationality Roumanie
Birth 13 april 1930 at Târgu Jiu (Roumanie)
Death 3 january 2013 (at 82 years) at Bucharest (Roumanie)

Sergiu Florin Nicolaescu ([ˈserd͡ʒju nikolaˈesku]; 13 April 1930 – 3 January 2013) was a Romanian film director, actor and politician. He was best known for his historical films, such as Mihai Viteazul (1970, released in English both under the equivalent title Michael the Brave and also as The Last Crusade), Dacii (1966, Les Guerriers), Razboiul Independenţei (1977, War of Independence), as well as for his series of thrillers that take place in the interwar Kingdom of Romania, such as Un comisar acuză (1973, A Police Inspector Calls). The beautiful and talented Joanna Pacuła starred in his film Ultima noapte de dragoste (The Last Night of Love) in 1979 before eventually emigrating to the U.S. where she went on to very successful career.

He died following surgical complications of peritonitis which led to cardiac arrest.

Biography

Sports and personal life
Sergiu Nicolaescu said that as a young boy, he practiced many sports like athletics, equestrianism, boxing, shooting and rugby. According to the public information available, Nicolaescu was a very active person and he had a very disciplined lifestyle. Every day, even he was 80 years old, he spent at least 1 hour doing physical activity (gimnastics, etc.).

Although he was never a very passionate football fan, Nicolaescu stated in a 2011 interview for the Romanian daily sports newspaper Gazeta Sporturilor that the Bucharest team F.C. Steaua was the most dearest to him throughout time, even though he played rugby at Dinamo. He explained this by saying that he liked the former Steaua legends Hagi, Bölöni and Petrescu more than Dinamo's player. Nicolaescu declared in the same interview that he also liked Ripensia and "U" Craiova in their glory days, but not as much as Steaua.

Sergiu Nicolaescu was married three times. He did not have children and this was his main regret. Nevertheless he accepted the point that his films are his babies and thanks to his movies he will be eternal.

Failing health and death
Sergiu Nicolaescu had been diagnosed since 2000 with diverticulitis, a benign and chronic digestive condition that was acting up every couple of years. In January 2008 he twice suffered a brain surgery because of an accident. At that time, he was 78 years old. The doctors did not give him any change of success because at the time of first brain operation he was completely paralyzed. He had to learn again to walk, speak and write and he successfully managed to do it after 3 months of intense gymnastics and brain exercises. Nevertheless after this brain surgeries he said he changed dramatically: he started feeling his age and he started changing his behaviour (more impatient and nervous). In his last years the health problems made his life difficult. Yet he continued directing, acting and planning new films. He maintained intact his huge passion for filmmaking until the end of his life and, according to film specialists, such amount of passion was unique for somebody at his age.

On 26 December 2012 he was admitted with atrial fibrillation and a traumatised thorax with pulmonary contusion at the Elias Hospital in Bucharest, he was complaining of pain in the lower abdomen and loss of appetite. After the clinical examination, the doctors concluded that he was suffering from an acute episode of diverticulitis, and he received treatment for this conditions. During the treatment, Nicolaescu's condition improved, but the intestinal transit was not functional and the blood work was still unsatisfactory. The doctors opted for an exploratory laparoscopy, which led to the discovery of an acute perforated appendicitis complicated with peritonitis. After undergoing surgery, Nicolaescu developed respiratory complications, leading to acute respiratory failure within 48 hours. He entered into cardiac arrest on 3 January 2013, and could not be resuscitated by the hospital staff. He was pronounced dead at 8:20 AM GMT+2. His body was cremated on 5 January 2013, according to his wishes.