Jan Vondráček (born 16 August 1966 in Prague, Czechoslovakia) is a Czech actor, voice‑over artist, and dubber. He has performed in film, television, and stage productions and is also known for his extensive work in dubbing foreign-language media into Czech. Since 9 January 2023, Vondráček has served as the official voice announcer for the tram and bus services of the Prague Integrated Transport (PID) system, succeeding long‑time announcer Dagmar Hazdrová.
Early life and education
Vondráček studied acting at the Department of Alternative and Puppet Theatre of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (DAMU). After completing his studies in 1994, he joined the newly formed Dejvické divadlo ensemble.
Theatrical career
In 1996 Vondráček moved with a group of colleagues to the newly established Divadlo v Dlouhé (Theatre in Dlouhá). He has performed in a variety of stage productions, showcasing both his acting and musical abilities. For his portrayal of Lelia in Carlo Goldoni’s Lhář he received the Alfréd Radok Award.
Film and television
Vondráček’s on‑screen credits include roles in Operace Silver A (2007), Lidice (2011), and Jan Palach (2018). He has also appeared in numerous Czech television series and TV movies.
Dubbing
He is a prominent Czech dubber, providing Czech voices for international actors such as Chris O’Dowd and Bradley Cooper. Notable dubbing work includes the series The Mentalist, where he voiced the main character Patrick Jane, and animated characters such as Stewie Griffin (Family Guy) and the voice of the character Vočka Szyslak in the Czech version of The Simpsons. In 2010 he received the František Filipovský Audience Award for his dubbing performances.
Public‑transport announcing
In a public competition organized by the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP) in 2022, Vondráček was selected as the new voice for announcements on trams and later on buses. His voice began broadcasting on trams on 9 January 2023 and on buses on 9 October 2023, with a total of over 10 000 distinct announcements recorded.
Personal life
Vondráček is married and has two sons, Vojtěch (born 1994) and Kryštof, both of whom have pursued acting careers.
Selected filmography (excerpt)
- Operace Silver A (2007) – role unspecified
- Lidice (2011) – role unspecified
- Jan Palach (2018) – role unspecified
References
- Wikipedia contributors, “Jan Vondráček,” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Vondráček (accessed 21 April 2026).
- “Od pondělí bude cestující v pražských tramvajích nově provázet hlas herce Jana Vondráčka,” Dopravní podnik hl. m. Prahy, 6 January 2023.
This article summarizes verified biographical information about Jan Vondráček as of April 2026.