Legendary Bosnian actor Josip Pejakovic dies at 77

Over the last decade, Pejakovic endured a difficult battle with numerous health issues and underwent a total of 17 surgeries.

Born in 1948 in Travnik, he completed his primary and secondary education in his hometown before graduating in acting at the Drama Studio in Sarajevo. He studied under Kaca Doric and Josip Lesic, with graduation performances in Chekhov’s Three Sisters and Arrabal’s Concert in the Egg.

Pejakovic’s prolific career includes over 50 premiere performances at the National Theatre Sarajevo, in addition to notable film roles in The Human Factor and The House by the Road. He also performed in dozens of solo stage works. His most celebrated theatrical performances include For Whom the Bell Tolls, Hamlet in Mrdusa Donja, The Grand Vizier, Hasanaginica, The Brothers Karamazov, Fistik’s Devilry, King Lear, Wild Flesh, and many others.

Throughout his distinguished career, he received numerous accolades, including the Sixth of April Award of the City of Sarajevo (1974), the ZAVNOBiH Lifetime Achievement Award (1991), and multiple honours from the Association of Dramatic Artists of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In addition to acting, Pejakovic was an accomplished writer of monodramas and screenplays, such as Oj Zivote, He Tells Me Bosnia Doesn’t Exist, The Human Factor, and The House by the Road. From 2001 to 2003, he served as the Director of Drama at the National Theatre Sarajevo.

In his youth, he was the lead singer of the Travnik-based rock band Veziri, before fully dedicating himself to acting, first as an amateur in his hometown and later as a professional in Sarajevo.

His final published work, Sevdalinka, was released in May 2022. In collaboration with musician Rambo Amadeus, Pejaković submitted a nomination to have sevdalinka recognised on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.