Lucija Šerbedžija (sometimes recorded as Šebedžija) was born on June 8, 1973 in Zagreb. She is the daughter of the famous Croatian actor and poet Rada Šerbedžija and grew up in an artistically stimulating family. After studying at the Classical High School in Zagreb, Lucija graduated from the School of Rhythmics and Dance and the Lower Music School, and then graduated in acting at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. Versatile and talented, Šerbedžija established herself as a theater and film actress – she even won two Golden Arenas for the main female role at the Pula Film Review. In recent years, she has also tried her hand at music: at the end of 2021, she released her debut single “Lead me”, and in March 2022 she presented the song “Truth for Truth”.
Early life and education
Lucija spent her childhood in Zagreb with her father Rade Šerbedžija, mother Ivanka (former ballerina and choreographer) and older brother Danilo and four half-sisters. Rade Šerbedžija was one of the most prominent actors from the former Yugoslavia and internationally, so Lucija’s choice of acting as a profession was partly inherited. In addition to the Civic Gymnasium, young Lucija attended a rhythmic school and a lower music school, thus developing a love for dance and music. After graduation, she enrolled in acting at the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb, and graduated from it, perfecting her artistic knowledge and preparing for a theater and film engagement.
Theater career
Lucija Šerbedžija showed a tendency to act at an early age, and after the Academy she started working in different theaters. She was engaged in the Croatian National Theater in Pula and in the Croatian National Theater Ivan pl. Zajc in Rijeka, and she achieved most of her theater career at the Zagreb Youth Theater (ZKM) and at the Summer Theater Stage at Brijuni (Ulysses Theater), where she also acted with her father. She has performed numerous demanding roles in theater performances. Some of her notable theater characters are:
- Ophelia in the play “Hamlet” (Lenka Udovički, Ulysses Theater).
- Fanika in the play “Drunk Night” (Lenka Udovički, Ulysses Theater).
- Sonja Marmeladova in the play “drunk process” (directed by Davor Trajković, Velika Gorica).
- Stella in the play “A tram called longing” (Dino Mustafić, HNK Ivan pl. Zajc).
- The roles of an ordinary duck and a villager in the play “ugly duckling” (Zagreb Youth Theater).
This rich theatrical oeuvre proved Lucia’s versatility and acting power on the boards that mean life. Criticism emphasized her ability to transform from comic to dramatic characters, and the audience loved her for her expressive acting and charisma.
Movie and television career
In addition to the theater, Lucija Šerbedžija also achieved notable roles in film. She has acted in numerous domestic and foreign productions since the early 1990s, and her work has been recognized by international viewers. Among the most important film titles in which it appeared are:
- The Saint (Saint, 1997) – American action film in which he stars alongside famous Hollywood stars Val Kilmer and Elisabeth Shue. This film, in which her father Rade also starred, was her first major international project.
- Mondo Bobo (1997) – Cult Croatian crime drama.
- Virgin (1999) – The war drama that brought her the Golden Arena for the lead female role at the Pula Film Festival in 1999.
- slow surrender (2001) – a psychological thriller/drama, which made her win the Golden Arena again for the best female lead (Pula 2001).
- remake (2003) and Infection (2003) – Popular Croatian films in the early 2000s.
- Seventy-two days (2010) – social drama.
- pepper and salt (2016) and Liberation of Skopje (2016) – Contemporary Croatian films.
Along with the film, Lucija was also present on television. She recorded several notable television roles, for example: Sandra Matošić in the drama series “New Age” (2002), Lejla in a comedy series “Crazy House” (2007) and Jasna Barić in the series “Emergency 94” (2008). These roles further increased her popularity among viewers in the region.
music career
In addition to the actress, Lucija also showed an interest in music. At the end of 2021, she released her first single “Lead me”, and already at the beginning of 2022 she presented a new song “Truth for Truth”. It is an intimate pop ballad whose texts are inspired by parenting. Lucija wrote the words of that song herself from the mother’s perspective, thinking about how much we tend to postpone some truths to children so that their childhood would be more carefree. Video for “Truth for Truth”, filmed at the Zagreb Youth Theater (Lucija’s home theater), directed by her brother Danilo Šerbedžija. The video stars young actors Kaja and Pavo Djurović as her children, depicting scenes from private life – relaxed moments with children at the rehearsal of a theater performance. With these projects, Lucija also stepped into the world of music, showing the creative breadth of her artistic expression.
Prizes and awards
During her career, Lucija Šerbedžija received significant awards:
- Golden Arena, Pula 1999. – award for best female lead role “The Virgin”.
- Golden Arena, Pula 2001. – award for best female lead role “slow surrender”.
- Prize “Ribica”, Festival of Mediterranean Theater Purgatory 2006. – For the best acting performance in the play of the same name.
- Mittelfest Award, Cividale 2007 – for the same role in the play “Fish” (again for best performance).
These awards testify to her skill and dedication to acting, both on film and on the theater stage.
personal life
Lucija Šerbedžija successfully balanced her career and family life. She was married to director Filip Gajić (2006–2012). The couple has two children: son Sergey (born 2008) and daughter Anastasia (born in 2010). Although the marriage ended in divorce in 2012, Lucija still maintains a close relationship with her children. In several interviews, she emphasized how important motherhood is to her and how she tried to protect children from the shadow of the acting world. Today, she lives and works in Zagreb, where her professional career continued. With her father’s support and her own talent, Lucija built an independent stage name.
Conclusion
Lucija Šerbedžija is a versatile artist whose career includes theater, film, television and music. As a member of the prominent Šerbedžija family, she managed to leave a significant mark on her own – from prestigious awards at the Pula Show to new musical projects. Her numerous roles testify to her acting talent and dedication to art, while she confirms her creative integrity with new music. For the latest news about Lucio Šerbedžija and her projects, follow the media and social networks: every new performance or release reveals new sides of her career.
