Rade Šerbedžija is a Croatian actor, director, and musician. He was born on July 27, 1946. He is well-known for playing strong characters on both sides of the law. In the 1970s and 1980s, he was one of the most famous actors in Yugoslavia. Internationally, he is recognized for his roles in movies like “Snatch” (2000), “The Saint” (1997), “Mission: Impossible 2” (2000), “X-Men: First Class” (2011), “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1” (2010), and “Taken 2” (2012). He also played a recurring role in Season 6 of the TV series “24.”
Šerbedžija has won the Golden Arena for Best Actor four times, which is a top film award in Croatia. He received the Critics Award for Best Actor at the Venice International Film Festival in 1994 for his role in “Before the Rain.” In 2019, he was honored with the Mary Pickford Award for his outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry.
He was born in the village of Bunić in Croatia, and his parents were ethnic Serbs who fought in World War II. Šerbedžija grew up as an atheist.
In 1969, he graduated from the Academy of Dramatic Arts of the University of Zagreb and worked as a theater actor. He played leading roles in films and theater productions even while he was a student.
Šerbedžija was a well-known and beloved actor in Yugoslavia before he moved to London due to the war in Yugoslavia. He appeared in several Yugoslav films and TV series, winning awards for his performances. He also taught as a professor at the University of Zagreb and the University of Novi Sad.
In 2000, he founded the Ulysses Theater on the Brijuni islands. His international career includes roles in Hollywood films and TV shows, such as “Mission: Impossible 2,” “Snatch,” and “24.”
Apart from his acting career, Šerbedžija is known for his poetry readings and music. He has released four poetry books and four music albums. He is a citizen of Croatia, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.
Šerbedžija has been married twice and has children from both marriages. His second wife is Lenka Udovički, and they have three daughters. His parents left Croatia during the Croatian War of Independence in 1991, settling in Belgrade.
Despite facing challenges, Šerbedžija remains active in the entertainment industry and continues to contribute to the world of arts.