Rastislav Sokol, a prominent Slovak actor and voice actor, is navigating a busy period balancing his return to the popular quiz show Dobre vedieť! with a demanding schedule in the dubbing studio. At , Sokol’s career has spanned decades, from early appearances in television to a successful voice acting career and now, a renewed presence as a game show host.
Currently lending his voice to a character in a Turkish telenovela, Sokol described the plot as “poriadne ‘zamotaný’” – intricately tangled – involving a doctor who discovers he has a son nearing his 25th birthday. “It’s a really tearful telenovela, but Turkish productions are good at that,” he told Najmama.sk. This role exemplifies his prolific work in dubbing, having previously voiced characters like Agent Alex Mahone in Prison Break, Brad Pitt in Seven Years in Tibet, and even Shrek.
The revival of Dobre vedieť! on JOJ television has been met with public enthusiasm, with Sokol frequently asked about its return. He expressed gratitude to the network for bringing back the show and highlighted the dynamic forming with his new co-captains, Zuzana Šebová and Juraj Loj. “There’s a beautiful moment of male-female micro-competition, a spark always flies,” Sokol noted. He praised Šebová’s self-deprecating humor and Loj’s elegant wit, describing them both as “skvelí herci a ľudia” – great actors and people.
Beyond his professional commitments, Sokol also enjoys participating in quiz shows as a contestant, appreciating the opportunity to learn unexpected facts. He commended the show’s production team for their ability to unearth obscure information and craft witty answer options. However, he admitted that his most challenging task as a host is concealing his knowledge of the correct answers. “I know the dokrútky [outtakes] in advance, so I often laugh inwardly and would most like to shout at them: ‘For God’s sake, what nonsense are you talking about, This represents correct!’ But I have to maintain decorum and I can’t help them.”
Sokol’s personal life has also seen significant changes in recent years. After a divorce following a 27-year marriage to Katarína, he found renewed happiness with Erika, a single mother. The couple now have a four-year-old son, Kubko, born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sokol described Kubko’s arrival as “nečakané, ‘covidové’ dieťa” – an unexpected, ‘COVID’ child – and emphasized how much joy the child has brought to his life.
He acknowledges enjoying fatherhood more now than he did 30 years ago, when his older children, Maťo (35) and Lucka (30), were young, due to the demands of his career. He and Kubko share a morning ritual of coffee and YouTube, and the young boy’s fascination with cars provides a shared interest. “He asks me, ‘Tato, a kúpil si mi auto?’ – ‘Dad, did you buy me a car?’ – When I say only yogurt, he is disappointed,” Sokol shared with a laugh.
Sokol’s family life also includes Erika’s son, Marko, who is currently going through adolescence. While the age difference presents its own dynamics, Sokol’s daughter Lucka recently married, bringing him immense happiness. The connection between Lucka and her husband was, ironically, facilitated by her therapist being Marko’s mother. “Slovensko je malé” – Slovakia is small, Sokol remarked.
Despite his daughter’s inquiry, Sokol doesn’t feel a rush to formalize his relationship with Erika through marriage. He noted that his son Maťo also hasn’t expressed any pressure for a wedding. “Hlavne, že sme všetci zdraví a šťastní” – The main thing is that we are all healthy and happy, he stated. Sokol’s career began in childhood, with early appearances in television and a brief consideration of a hockey career, ultimately choosing acting due to scheduling conflicts. He spent 20 years in Slovak Radio after being unable to gain admission to acting school, establishing himself as a respected voice actor alongside his television work.
