Bekim Fehmiu (1936–2010) was a Yugoslav-Albanian actor renowned for his work in film, television, and theater. Born on June 7, 1936, in Sarajevo, Kingdom of Yugoslavia (present-day Bosnia and Herzegovina), Fehmiu was of Albanian descent. He spent a significant part of his career in Belgrade, Serbia, and gained prominence during the 1960s and 1970s as one of the leading actors in the former Yugoslavia.
Fehmiu became internationally recognized for his roles in European cinema. He was the first Eastern European actor to sign a contract with a major Hollywood studio, 20th Century Fox, during the 1960s. Among his notable film appearances are roles in "The Battle of Neretva" (1969) and "The Secret of Nikola Tesla" (1980). He also performed in various theatrical productions at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre in Belgrade.
In addition to his artistic career, Fehmiu was married to actress Mira Furlan, known for her roles in "Babylon 5" and "Lost." Fehmiu passed away on June 6, 2010, in Belgrade, Serbia, one day before his 74th birthday. The circumstances of his death were reported to be suicide, though official sources confirmed it as self-inflicted.
Throughout his career, Fehmiu received several awards and accolades for his contributions to the performing arts in the Balkans and beyond.