Education; Polish National Theatre School, Warsaw, Poland (Acting). When martial law was declared in Poland in December 1981, Pacula was vacationing in Paris. She remained there and became romantically involved with director Roman Polanski, who got her work as a model shortly after she moved to the United States, where she was featured in 'Vogue' magazine. Polanski recommended her for the female lead in Gorky Park (1983), her first lead role. Once owned a house that belonged to Rudolph Valentino. Bust 34B. When she immigrated to America, she moved in with legendary Polish actress Elzbieta Czyzewska. It was Elzbieta who connected her with many people to help Joanna get her career in the US started.