He started his career as a graphic artist in Przekrój magazine in 1950. In the same year he published two short story collections. He is famous for his plays: The Police, Tango, A summer day, Love in the Crimea.

In 1963 he moved to France. He also lived in the USA, Germany, Italy and Mexico. In 1968 the French press published his letter protesting against the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. In 1981 Mrożek spoke out against martial law in Poland. In 1996 he came back to Kraków and in 2008 he emigrated to France. He died in Nice at age of 83.

On 12 May 2000, at a special JU Senate session, the Jagiellonian University bestowed an honorary doctorate upon Sławomir Mrożek. The Jagiellonian University recognised his literary works, which presented a wide range of artistic forms, insightful observations on the contemporary man and philosophical discussions on life, history and human aspirations.

On the same day the Jagiellonian University conferred honorary doctorates on Karl Dedecius, Henryk Mikołaj Górecki, Gustaw Herling-Grudziński, Jerzy Jarocki, Pietro Marchesani and Jerzy Nowosielski.