Marko Živić

Marko Živić graduated acting from the Academy of Dramatic Art in Novi Sad, in the class of Rade Marković. In theatre, Živić is best known for his body of work formed at the Belgrade Drama Theatre drama ensemble, where he is a drama champion.[11] Živić appeared in over one hundred productions in the theatre,[12] was singled out for plaudits in his performances as both a character actor and a leading man in the cult productions of Waiting for Godot, Macbeth, Antigone, A Midsummer Night's Dream, When Pumpkins Blossomed, Liliom, Coriolanus, Tartuffe, Delirium tremens, Play It Again, Sam, The Mistress of the Inn and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Some of his portrayals have also been inspirations for the later renditions in the Kerempuh Satirical Theatre in Zagreb.[13][14][15]

He has also performed in the Slavija Theatre and the Yugoslav Drama Theatre.[16][17] In 2020, he starred with Dragan Vujić Vujke and Mladen Andrejević in an rendition of The Green Mile at the Kombak Dvorana, directed by Marko Jovičić. The play was met with rave reviews, with particular praise toward the strong acting performances, direction and chemistry between the leads.[18][19]

He also actively performed in musicals at the Terazija Theatre.[20]

On television, he initially gained massive success for his roles in Kuku Vasa and Folk. In 2008, he played Papak in the televised satirical drama Gorki plodovi. He later gained commercial success for his roles as Isak on Montevideo, God Bless You! (2012–2014), Vasilije Trnavac on Shadows over Balkan (2017–2020), Mika in Psi laju, vetar nosi (2017–present) and Laslo on Žigosani u reketu (2018–present).[21] He also did recurring roles for Naša mala klinika, Ljubav, navika, panika and The Myth of Sisyphus, the latter alongside Goran Jevtić and Boris Milivojević.

Živić's work as a host includes the brief, but popular Marko Živić Show on TV Fox and the long-running quiz show Hello Europe. In 2017, he performed alongside hosts Dragana Kosjerina and Marija Veljković and actor Gordan Kičić in the RTS show Luda noć.[22]

He has appeared in over twenty films, including as a leading man in The Belgrade Phantom as Fandjo and Čitulja za Eskobara as Kile. He reprised his role of Isak in the televised series from the critically successful 2012 film release of Montevideo, God Bless You!. In 2010, he starred as Sava Jović in the commercially acclaimed feature films Zduhač and Totalno novi talas.[23]

His distinct, gravelly bass-baritone voice lead him to prolific works in radio and animation. In 2002, he voiced the title character in the animated Serbian-language series Secret Agent Izzy. In Serbian dubs, he has voiced characters including Baloo in The Jungle Book and the sequel, Homer Simpson in The Simpsons Movie, Morton in Horton Hears a Who!, Louis the Aligator in The Princess and the Frog, Stoick the Vast in the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, Balthazar in Rango, Rafael in Rio and Rio 2, Nim Galuu in Epic and Jerry Jumbeaux Jr. in Zootopia.[24] In 2011, he voiced the titular character in the Serbian dub of Puss in Boots, replacing close friend Boris Milivojević who voiced the character in the Serbian dub of the Shrek franchise, respectively.[25][26] He is also the official Serbian voice for Spider-Man and Asterix.[27]

Since 2006, Živić actively partakes in numerous humanitarian actions including cases against poverty and discrimination.[28][29] In November 2014, Živić and Branislav Lečić held charity concerts every Monday in the month for the poor.[30]