Ion Cojar

Ion Cojar (born January 9, 1931, Rușii-Munți, Mureș County, Romania; died October 18, 1993, Bucharest, Romania) was a highly influential Romanian actor, theater director, and pedagogue. He is best known for his innovative acting method and his profound impact on Romanian theater education.

Cojar graduated from the Institute of Theatre and Cinematography "I.L. Caragiale" (IATC) in Bucharest. He later became a professor at the same institution, where he developed his distinct acting technique. This technique, often referred to as the "Cojar Method," emphasized the actor's inner truth and psychological realism. He encouraged his students to explore the character's motivations deeply and to avoid superficial performance.

Cojar's method significantly departed from the more formal and stylized acting approaches prevalent at the time. He focused on the actor's ability to truly embody the character, creating a believable and compelling portrayal through intense self-reflection and emotional connection. This emphasis on authenticity and psychological depth had a lasting impact on Romanian acting.

Throughout his career, Cojar directed numerous successful theatrical productions, showcasing his acting philosophy in practice. He was a dedicated mentor, and many prominent Romanian actors credit him as a significant influence on their development. While he didn't publish extensively, his teachings were transmitted orally and through practical exercises, leaving a strong legacy within the Romanian theater community. His students continued to promote and refine his method after his death.

Ion Cojar's contribution to Romanian theater lies not only in his directorial work but, more significantly, in his revolutionizing approach to actor training, fostering a generation of actors who prioritized inner truth and psychological realism in their performances.