Tony Halik
1921–1998 (age 77)
Biography
Tony Halik, born Mieczysław Antoni Sędzimir Halik (January 24, 1921 – May 23, 1998) was a Polish film operator, documentary film-maker, author of travel books, traveller, explorer, and polyglot (speaking Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Guarani and Xavante).
During World War II, as a Polish citizen under German occupation he was forcibly drafted into the Kampfgeschwader 40, a Luftwaffe squadron, and served in France, where in 1944 he deserted and joined the French Resistance. For his actions, he was awarded the French Croix de guerre.
After the war, he married Pierrette Andrée Courtin in 1946 and in 1948 they settled down in Argentina.
Soon afterwards he started working as a photojournalist, film operator, and correspondent for various Argentinian media.
Since 1956 he worked as a correspondent for Life and NBC.
In 1974 Halik met Elżbieta Dzikowska, his later life partner. Around this date he moved back to Poland.