50 Best ex-Yugoslavian Actresses of All Time
List of 50 Best ex-Yugoslavian Actresses of All Time. (2011.)
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Mirjana Karanovic was born on 28 January 1957 in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress and director, known for A Good Wife (2016), Grbavica (2006) and Requiem for Mrs. J (2017).- Actress
- Soundtrack
Born in Belgrade, Dravic was involved with the performing arts from the age of four: first with dance and later classical ballet. In 1959, while in high school, director Frantisek Cap saw her on the cover of a youth magazine in a ballet dancers group photo and decided on the spot to approach her about being in his film Vrata ostaju otvorena. After appearing in few more films she decided to pursue acting full-time and successfully enrolled in Belgrade's Dramatic Arts Academy.
Her big break came in 1962 when she won the Golden Arena for Best Actress award (which was the Yugoslav equivalent of Academy Award) for her role in Branko Bauer's film Prekobrojna. This was the moment that sent her on the way to becoming Yugoslavia's first and arguably the biggest female movie star.
Milena Dravic continued with long and prolific career during which she showed great talent and versatility. She was equally memorable and believable as the tragic heroine in state-sponsored World War II epics, eccentric protagonist of experimental art-house films like WR: Mysteries of the Organism and romantic comedies. She especially excelled in the latter during the 1970s and 1980s. She won the Cannes Best Supporting Actress Award in 1980 for Special Treatment.
For her roles and contributions to domestic cinematography, she received the prestigious Pavle Vujisic Award in August 1994.- Actress
- Writer
Mira continues active as an Actor and Story teller and live stage performances. Mira traveled to Canada with Jovan Radovanovic and performed on live stage in 2001 in Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver B.C. Mira's Film and Television appearances spanned over many generations and stood the test of time. Like the Timex, she takes the licking and keeps on ticking.- Actress
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Bozidarka Frajt was born on 11 November 1940 in Velika Zuljevica, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Yugoslavia. She is an actress and assistant director, known for Real Truth (1972), Violet (1978) and Rhythm of a Crime (1981).- Milena Zupancic was born on 18 December 1946 in Jesenice, Slovenia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Blossoms in Autumn (1973), The Widowhood of Karolina Zasler (1976) and A Breath of Air (1983). She is married to Dusan Jovanovic. They have one child. She was previously married to Radko Polic .
- Neda Arneric was born on 15 July 1953 in Knjazevac, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for Stand Up Straight, Delfina (1977), Aloa: Festivity of the Whores (1988) and Shaft in Africa (1973). She was married to Milorad Mesterovic, Dejan Karaklajic and Rade Markovic. She died on 10 January 2020 in Belgrade, Serbia.
- Sonja Savic was a Serbian actress, famous for her husky voice and series of impressive roles in some of the more memorable 1980s Yugoslav films. Sonja appeared in Miroslav Ilic's video "Voleo sam devojku iz grada". In later years she became an outspoken critic of the direction the country was taking, in terms of cultural and political values.
- Marija Skaricic was born on 6 August 1977 in Split, Yugoslavia [now Croatia]. She is an actress, known for Traces (2022), Mother of Asphalt (2010) and Mare (2020).
- Daria Lorenci Flatz was born on 13 April 1976 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Matriarch (2019), Oprosti za kung fu (2004) and Sex pice i krvoprolice (2004). She has been married to Emil Flatz since 2008. They have three children. She was previously married to Jernej Lorenci.
- Inge Apelt was born to the family of Rudolf Appelt, electric application store owner in Osijek. During her childhood she was often taken to the theatre by her schoolteacher mother. There she fell in love with opera, but, lacking the talent for singing, decided to pursue career in drama. In 1961 she enrolled in Drama Academy in Zagreb and later got small part in a TV show. A Bohemian and unhealthy lifestyle in Zagreb brought her tuberculosis and she had to quit the Academy until her recovery. She finally finished the Academy in 1966 and later got permanent job in Gavella Theatre in Zagreb. Inge Appelt was briefly married, and has two sons.
- Actress
- Writer
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Verica Nedeska (born August 8th 1978 in Ohrid) has graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Skopje and holds an MA degree in applied arts from FAMU Prague. Her remarkable artistic talent makes her one of the best and most interesting actresses in her generation, ready to transform and play a variety of characters different in their age, linguistic and social background.- Actress
- Producer
Labina Mitevska was born in 1975 in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia. She studied in the faculty of Art and Archaeology at the University of St. Kiril and Metodi (Skopje) as well at the European Film College (Denmark) and the University of Arizona's Department of Art History. She started her career by coincidence, starting in Milcho Manchevski's film Pred Dozdot (Before the Rain (1994)) in the role of Zamira, a young North Macedonian Albanian girl. Her next appearance was in the North Macedonian theatre production of Tuku Taka Pod Oblaka (All of a Sudden Under the Clouds). In 1996, Labina played a supporting role in Welcome to Sarajevo (1997), directed by Michael Winterbottom, who next cast her in I Want You (1998). In 2000, she had the lead role in the Czech film Loners, and next appeared in Too Bad That Balkan Express Was Already Used, directed by her sister Teona Mitevska. Beside acting, a couple of her essays have appeared in the North Macedonian magazines Start and Dnevnik.- Born in Metkovic. She graduated in 1976 from the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. Since then she continues to act at numerous theaters in Zagreb. She has appeared, both as a lead and supporting role, in many national film productions and serials. Vera Zima has been awarded for her roles in the theater (The Inn-keeper directed by Josko Juvancic, The Ballads of Petrica Kerempuh directed by Rade Serbedzija) as well as on screen (The Snowstorm directed by Antun Vrdoljak, Sorry for kung-fu by Ognjen Svilicic...) She has participated as a jury member in numerous film festivals.
- Semka Sokolovic-Bertok was born on 22 December 1935 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for The Fourth Man (2007), Fatal Sky (1990) and U registraturi (1974). She was married to Mario Bertok. She died on 4 March 2008 in Zagreb, Croatia.
- Actress
- Additional Crew
Jasna Zalica was born in 1968 in Sarajevo, Bosnia. She is an actress, known for These Are the Rules (2014), Pink Elephant (2017) and I Know Your Soul (2023).- Jelisaveta 'Seka' Sablic was born on 13 June 1942 in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Maratonci trce pocasni krug (1982), Srecni ljudi (1993) and A Weekend of Deceased Persons (1988).
- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Zana Marjanovic was born on 31 May 1983 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia [now Bosnia and Herzegovina]. She is an actress and producer, known for In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), A Rose in Winter (2018) and Broken (2012). She has been married to Emir Kapetanovic since 2 March 2014. They have two children.- Jasna Djuricic was born on 16 April 1966 in Ruma, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Quo Vadis, Aida? (2020), Grupa (2019) and White White World (2010). She is married to Boris Isakovic.
- Branka Katic was born on 20 January 1970 in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for The King's Man (2021), Public Enemies (2009) and Black Cat, White Cat (1998). She has been married to Julian Farino since 31 August 2000. They have two children.
- Marija Karan was born on 29 April 1982 in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Assassination Games (2011), The Rite (2011) and Covert Affairs (2010). She has been married to Joel Lubin since May 2014. They have one child.
- Actress
- Producer
Natasa Ninkovic was born on 22 July 1972 in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia. She is an actress and producer, known for Savior (1998), The Trap (2007) and Ajvar (2019). She is married to Nenad Sarenac. They have two children.- Ksenija Marinkovic was born in Virovitica in 1966 where she finished high school. Ever since she was eight until entering the Academy of Dramatic Art in Zagreb, she was involved in the Virovitica theatre as an amateur actress. As a student of the Academy she started to collaborate with the Gavella theatre and the Histrioni troupe. After graduating from the Academy she spent one year with the 'Teatar u gostima' and has been employed with the ZKM theatre in Zagreb since 1989 where she created some of her most important roles: Mowglie in The Jungle Book, Nausikaja in Ulysses and Son, Harpa in Harpa, Irina in Three Sisters, Elvira in Insektarij. Some of her significant roles were created outside her theatre and she also starred in TV and feature films.
- A leading actress of theatre, film and TV in the former Yugoslavia, Mira Furlan emigrated to the U.S. with her husband, Goran Gajic, in November 1991, due to the intolerable political circumstances in her homeland. Ms. Furlan starred in the Warner Brothers TV series Babylon 5 (1993) as "Ambassador Delenn" (Sci-Fi Universe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Genre TV-series 1996 and 1997).
Her other American credits included the TV movie My Antonia (1995) directed by Joseph Sargent, the title roles in "Sophocles Antigone" at the Hudson Guild Theatre in Los Angeles (Dramalogue Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance in 1995) and Lorca's "Yerma" at The Indiana Repertory Theatre. She also appeared in Brecht's "Baal" at The Second Stage in Los Angeles and Shaw's "Don Juan In Hell" in which she co-starred with Edward Asner and Rene Auberjonois. Ms. Furlan was a member of The Actor's Studio.
Ms. Furlan's film credits include leading roles in over 25 films. She co-starred in Emir Kusturica's Cannes award-winning and Oscar-nominated film When Father Was Away On Business (2000). Films include: Three For Happiness, (Grand Prix, Valencia Film Festival), Beauty Of Vice, In The Jaws Of Life, The Loves Of Blanka Kolak, and Dear Video. In addition, Ms Furlan has appeared regularly on Yugoslav television, playing leading roles in numerous series and TV films. She received all the highest awards in her former country, both for her stage and film work, including two Golden Arenas (Yugoslav Oscars) for Best Actress.
In the former Yugoslavia, Furlan was a member of the Croatian National Theatre and a frequent guest star at major theatres in the whole country. Her favorite roles include: 'Natalya' in "A Month In The Country", 'Mrs. Elliot' in "Alpha-Beta", 'Celimene' in "The Misanthrope", 'Judith' in "The Devil's Disciple", 'Annabella' in "Tis Pity She's A Whore", the title role in Euripides' "Helen", 'Lea' in "Dybbuk", 'Isabelle' in Corneille's "L'Illusion Comique", 'Yvette' in "Mother Courage", 'Natasha' in "Three Sisters" and 'Ophelia' in Jiri Menzel's production of "Hamlet". - Jasna Beri was born on 2 January 1954 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), Pecat (2008) and Cirkus Columbia (2010).
- Ana Karic was born on 13 May 1941 in Perusic, Croatia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for Night Boats (2012), The House (1975) and Pustolov pred vratima (1961). She was married to Ivan Thür. She died on 9 October 2014 in Zagreb, Croatia.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Olivera Markovic has prevailed in the Yugoslav theater, film and television scene since she first appeared in modern American stage plays by such authors as Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and William Inge in the early 1950s, and was also able to impress audiences and critics alike in more light-hearted roles.
In addition, she has figured in plays by Labiche and Priestly, Shaw and William Shakespeare, Goldoni and Dostoyevsky, Anouilh and O'Neil and Moliere and Chekov including "The Three Sisters", "Crime and Punishment" and "Marriage" by Gogolj, more often than not at the Belgrade Drama Theatre and the National Theatre.
She appeared in over a hundred stage plays, was the star of many popular television series such as A Better Life (1987) , and acted in 74 feature films:Vlak bez voznog reda (1959), Boom Town (1961), Drug predsednik centarfor (1960), to name but a few. She was also well-known as a singer of Russian romances.
After some time away from films, she returned more recently as a special guest star in Peasants (2001) and Frozen Stiff (2002).- Marija Kohn was born on 7 August 1934 in Lopud, Croatia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for Atomic War Bride (1960), Nights and Days (1959) and H-8... (1958). She was married to Vladimir Majerovic-Majer, Vojislav Kuzmanovic and Tomislav Knezovic. She died on 16 July 2018 in Zagreb, Croatia.
- Mia Oremovic was born on 31 July 1918 in Slavonska Pozega, Austria-Hungary [now Croatia]. She was an actress, known for I Have Two Mothers and Two Fathers (1968), One Song a Day Takes Mischief Away (1970) and U oluji (1952). She was married to Vojko Trs. She died on 24 July 2010 in Krizevci, Croatia.
- Natasa Janjic-Medancic is a Croatian film, stage and television actress. As a child, she studied at the Youth Theater in Split. After finishing school in 2000, she went on to studying journalism and acting in Zagreb. During her studies at the Academy of Dramatic Arts she played the following roles: Julia from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", Elektra, Queen Maria from "The King Dies" by E. Ionesco, Christine from "Hotel Bellevue" by O. von Horvath, Melita from Krleza's "Leda", Solveig and Anitra from "Peer Gynt", Kate from "The Taming of the Shrew". She graduated with the role of Martha from "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" by E. Albee, in the class of Borna Baletic, in 2004.
Since 2006 she has been a permanent member of the ensemble GDK "Gavella" in Zagreb.
At the end of December 2018 , she married orthopedist Nenad Medancic , taking his last name. - Svetlana Bojkovic was born on 14 December 1947 in Zemun, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Pas koji je voleo vozove (1977), A Better Life (1987) and Srecni ljudi (1993). She has been married to Slavko Kruljevic since 2010. She was previously married to Ljubomir Draskic and Milos Zutic.
- Actress
Ruzica Sokic was born on 14 December 1934 in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for Zuta (1973), Guns of War (1974) and TV teatar (1956). She was married to Miroslav Lazic. She died on 19 December 2013 in Belgrade, Serbia.- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Nina Violic was born on 15 March 1972 in Rijeka, Croatia. She is an actress and director, known for Kick and Scream (2022), Blagajnica hoce ici na more (2000) and Odvajanje (2015). She has been married to Tvrtko Juric since 2001. They have one child.- Ena Begovic was a prominent Croatian film actress. She is regarded as one of the best and most beautiful actresses in former Yugoslavia. Begovic began acting early, making her first screen appearance at the age of 18 through a small part in Occupation in 26 Pictures (1978), a 1978 film directed by Lordan Zafranovic. She made her breakthrough role in Zafranovic's next film, The Fall of Italy (1981), where she played Veronika, the daughter of a wealthy local from the Dalmatian coast who sided with occupying Italian Fascists. This debut established Begovic as one of the sex symbols of 1980s Yugoslav cinema, a status that she later successfully maintained despite appearing in relatively few films as her acting career shifted towards theater.
On 15 August 2000, in the Postira village on the island of Brac, a few months after marrying the Croatian businessman, Josip Radeljak, and a month and a half after giving birth to their daughter, Lana, she was involved, as a passenger, in a traffic accident, a rollover, which claimed her life. - Lucija Serbedzija was born on 8 June 1973 in Zagreb, Croatia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for The Saint (1997), Polagana predaja (2001) and Bogorodica (1999). She is married to Filip Gajic. They have two children.
- Nada Sargin was born on 19 January 1977 in Zrenjanin, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Tomorrow Morning (2006), Kalup (2020) and Ulica lipa (2008). She is married to Lazar Bodroza. They have one child.
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Born in Belgrade, Serbia and raised in Frankfurt, Anica Dobra calls both Germany and the Balkans her home. Being a thoroughbred actress and having enjoyed the best in stage- and on-camera training, Anica Dobra is very busy working in both countries. She became well-known in the 1990s in Germany when she worked together with the finest of directors mainly in comedies for the big screen but also in crime and drama feature films for TV. During that time, which was marked by intense political upheaval in the Balkans, she exhibited her remarkable talent in that region by portraying heavily conflicted protagonists. Her characters take control in a straightforward, hard-hitting, and pugnacious manner. She was awarded Best Actress several times. Anica Dobra is a frequent traveler since her family lives in Belgrade and she herself is a star in Serbia. But she also feels drawn to Munich, Germany which is her second home. Audiences love her for her unconventional beauty and charming wit. Here in Germany we've come to picturing her playing in films that allow fresh subject matters to be tackled from a humorous point of view.- Actress
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Cinematographer
Born in Sarajevo, 2nd of December 1991. Her acting career started in 2005 when chosen to play the role of Sara in "Grbavica" (directed by Jasmila Zbanic, winner of the Golden Bear 2006.) It was her first acting experience and she continues to do acting in Bosnia, Slovenia, Croatia, Holland, Austria and Germany.- Iva Kranjc was born on 10 November 1978 in Ljubljana, Slovenia and raised in Ptuj, Slovenia. After primary school, she studied at Gimnazija Ptuj (Ptuj gymnasium). There she become a member of a theatre group called Teater III. After high school she became a student of AGRFT. Her first professional play was Curek krvi by A. Artaud, in the third class she received student Sever Award for performance in Cid. After many roles in Theater and TV series, she get the role of Simona in Guardian of the Frontier (2002). That role brought her a Vesna for best female performance.
- Gorica Popovic was born on 13 August 1952 in Kragujevac, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress and writer, known for National Class Category Up to 785 Ccm (1979), Kozje usi (2017) and Popadija (2022).
- Actress
- Writer
Dusica Zegarac was born on 15 April 1944 in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress and writer, known for The Ninth Circle (1960), The Bet (1971) and Poseban tretman (1980). She died on 24 May 2019 in Belgrade, Serbia.- Mira Stupica was born on 17 August 1923 in Gnjilane, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for Stojan Mutikasa (1954), Roj (1966) and Herrenpartie (1964). She was married to Cvijetin Mijatovic, Bojan Stupica and Milivoje Popovic-Mavid. She died on 19 August 2016 in Zemun, Serbia.
- Actress
- Art Department
Rahela Ferari was born on 27 August 1911 in Zemun, Austria-Hungary [now Serbia]. She was an actress, known for TV teatar (1956), Ivanov (1987) and Deset zapovesti (1970). She was married to Aleksandar Stojkovic. She died on 12 February 1994 in Belgrade, Serbia, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.- Actress
- Additional Crew
Hristina Popovic was born on 26 March 1982 in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for The Parade (2011), The Last Serb in Croatia (2019) and The White Lions (2011).- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
Zrinka Cvitesic is a Croatian film, television and theater actress. She started acting at elementary school and her first role was Cinderella. As a theater actress, she has been a member of the Croatian National Theater since 2005. In April 2013, she made her West End debut at the Phoenix Theater in London as "Girl" in the musical Once. Her performance received rave reviews, and she won Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
For her performance in the 2005 film What Is a Man Without a Moustache? (2005), Cvitesic won awards for best actress in a leading role both at the 53rd Pula Film Festival and the 11th Sarajevo Film Festival. She received the Shooting Stars Award, the annual acting award for up-and-coming actors by European Film Promotion, at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival in 2010. She has been a recipient of Golden Arena, the top prize at Pula Film Festival for her work in the film Na putu (2010).
Other than her eminent role in Croatian theater, film and television, she is active as a voice actress. Her prolific voice acting range includes over twenty credits in Croatian dubs for animated films, including Princess Jasmine in the Aladdin (1992) franchise, Gloria in the Madagascar (2005) franchise, Ciara in The Lion King (1994) franchise and Beans in Rango (2011).- Alma Prica was born on 17 September 1962 in Zagreb, Croatia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Halima's Path (2012), Kontesa Dora (1993) and Treca zena (1997).
- Anita Mancic was born on 30 September 1968 in Zemun, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress, known for Gorilla Bathes at Noon (1993), Mamarosh (2013) and TV teatar (1956). She is married to Dedic Bojan.
- Actress
- Producer
Ljiljana Blagojevic was born on 5 November 1955 in Zemun, Serbia, Yugoslavia. She is an actress and producer, known for Do You Remember Dolly Bell? (1981), Kljun (2021) and A Better Life (1987). She is married to Sinisa Kovacevic. They have one child.- Actress
- Producer
Arta Dobroshi was born on 2 October 1980 in Prishtina, Kosovo, Yugoslavia. She is an actress and producer, known for Lorna's Silence (2008), Three Worlds (2012) and Stray (2018).- Hermina Pipinic was born on 1 May 1928 in Zagreb, Croatia, Yugoslavia. She was an actress, known for The Steppe (1962), Double Circle (1963) and Dalmatian Chronicle (1973). She died on 19 December 2020 in Zagreb, Croatia.
- Anja Sovagovic was born to the family of Fabijan Sovagovic, one of the most respected Croatian actors. Same as her younger brother Filip Sovagovic she pursued the acting career from an early age. After high school she enrolled in Drama Academy in Zagreb. There, together with theatre director 'Kresimir Dolencic', she founded the "Lift" theatre group in 1981. Two years later she joined Zlatko Vitez and his "Histrion" theatre company. In 1986 she finally settled down in Gavella Drama Theatre in Zagreb and married actor Dragan Despot.