7/5/17
by News Department on 07/05/17Polka King...
He was known worldwide as "The Polka King." Some even say Jan Lewan was to polka what Elvis Presely was to rock and roll.
The Hazleton band leader fell from grace after an investment scandal landed him in prison, and now, Hollywood will tell his story.
For three decades, the Grammy nominated band leader, whose real name is Jan Lewandoski, was known for his Vegas-style shows, but in 2003 he admitted to stealing millions of dollars from people across the nation in an investment scam.
A Hollywood producer heard about his life story, which includes his fleeing Communist Poland, his skyrocketing music career, a deadly crash in which two of his band members were killed, and even being stabbed while in prison and contacted Lewan about making a movie.
The 75 year old Lewan hopes his story will teach a lesson: there are no shortcuts to success.
The movie will be released on Netflix this fall and there is also a deal in the works for it to be shown in theaters around the nation.
Actor Jack Black will portray Lewan in the movie.
He was released from federal prison in 2009.
