Veronika Kánská Marks 60th Birthday Far From Her Iconic Blažena Role
Veronika Kánská, remembered by millions of viewers as the defiant teenage daughter Blažena Škopková from Zdeněk Troška’s classic 1980s comedy trilogy, celebrates her 60th birthday on Monday, October 12, Médium.cz reported. Today, the former actress works as a librarian and actively avoids the public spotlight, maintaining a quiet life that contrasts sharply with her enduring cinematic fame. While audiences across generations continue to revisit the chaotic village humor of Sun, hay, Kánská maintains a surprisingly complex and occasionally difficult relationship with the role that defined her youth.
From Accidental Screen Star to Reluctant Icon
Kánská’s acting career began almost by chance when she auditioned for the film A shoe named Melichar. Though she did not secure that part, she caught the attention of director Zdeněk Troška, who later cast her in 1983’s Sun, hay, strawberries. At just sixteen years old, Kánská spent her school summer vacations filming the frantic comedy in the southern Bohemian village of Hoštice.
Reflecting on those years in a recent interview with her son-in-law Richard Chlad for his program Richardovy 80s, Kánská recalled visiting the swimming pool in Volyně during production. She admitted that she and her friends intentionally swam topless to provoke reactions, a rebellious streak she remembers fondly. Yet, that sudden rise to public visibility brought unwanted consequences. Kánská never fully adjusted to strangers approaching her on the street by her character’s name or constantly reminding her of her fictional partner, Venca. Consequently, she stepped away from the film industry entirely, choosing instead to build a private career in library science.
Behind-the-Scenes Friction With Co-Star Helena Růžičková
Behind the laughter of the Hoštice comedies, real-life tensions occasionally surfaced on set. Kánská has spoken candidly about her difficult dynamic with co-star Helena Růžičková, who played her formidable and sharp-tongued mother, Škopková. As detailed in the book Sun, hay, 30 years and referenced in coverage by Rejpak.cz, Kánská revealed that the two actors did not share an ideal relationship off-screen. She described Růžičková as occasionally harsh and suggested the veteran actress simply disliked younger women. Kánská recalled a particularly intense physical moment during filming when a scripted slap sent her directly into a mixing bowl, leaving her face swollen and requiring cold compresses.
Despite such demanding memories, family life away from the cameras offers a starkly different environment. Kánská shares a close bond with her son-in-law, entrepreneur Richard Chlad, who is married to her daughter Anna-Marie. Celebrating her milestone birthday on Instagram, Chlad praised his mother-in-law’s temperament, noting that across six years he could not recall a single moment of friction between them, joking that their peaceful relationship deserved a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Veronika Kánská’s profession today?
Kánská works as a librarian and deliberately avoids public events, interviews, and the entertainment industry.
How old was Kánská when filming began on the first Slunce, seno film?
She was only 16 years old, juggling her high school schedule between her freshman and sophomore years while spending her entire summer on set in 1983.
Who is Richard Chlad in relation to the former actress?
Richard Chlad is an entrepreneur and Kánská’s son-in-law, married to her daughter Anna-Marie. He frequently shares praise for her on social media.
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