He graduated from technical college in Chrudim in 1958 and after basic military service, worked briefly in a factory, where he met his future wife.

Instead, he joined the Central Bohemian Theatre in Kladno, later doing acting stints in Most, Olomouc, and Liberec.

From the mid-1970s, Švehlík began appearing in film and television roles, including Sokolovo (1974), The Young Man and Moby Dick (1979), and Forbidden Dreams (1986).

In addition to acting, Švehlík has lent his voice to various foreign productions, dubbing such works as The Professionals, Schimanski, Starman, Back to the Future II, The War of the Roses, and As Good as It Gets into the Czech language, winning several awards in the process.

[3] Švehlík has appeared with his son in various productions in theatre, television, and film, as well as in dubbing and voice acting.