Severin Bijelić (Serbian Cyrillic: Северин Бијелић; 10 February 1921 – 28 July 1972) was a Serbian and Yugoslav actor and footballer.
Life and Career
Bijelić was born on 10 February 1921 in Belgrade, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (present-day Serbia). He was the son of renowned Serbian painter Jovan Bijelić. He initially attended a trade school in Belgrade and was also active in sports, becoming an accomplished swimmer and football goalkeeper.
Football Career
As a young man, Bijelić played as a goalkeeper in the Yugoslav First League for Belgrade side FK BASK. He was registered for BASK in February 1937 and made 10 league appearances across the 1936–37 and 1938–39 seasons. Before the Second World War, he was the usual goalkeeper of the Yugoslav U-21 team, and in 1941 he moved to FK Obilić. In 1940, he was the goalkeeper in the first two games ever played by the Yugoslav youth team, both against Romania — a 2–0 win in Bucharest on 31 March and a 4–1 win in Belgrade on 22 September.
During World War II, Bijelić was sent to a labor camp in Bor alongside other professional footballers, including Vladimir Pečenčić, Miodrag Savić, and Laza Popović. They formed a football team that played against local clubs. After the liberation of Yugoslavia, he became part of the newly formed Red Star Belgrade, playing with them in the 1945–46 season.
Acting Career
Bijelić became a member of the National Theatre in Belgrade in 1949. He appeared in 77 films and television shows between 1949 and 1972. He starred in the 1967 film The Rats Woke Up, which won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 17th Berlin International Film Festival. His other notable films include Perfidy (1953), Legends of Anika (1953), Love and Fashion (1960), and I Even Met Happy Gypsies (1967).
Personal Life and Death
He was married to Bogosava Nikšić-Bijelić. Severin Bijelić died on 28 July 1972 in Vela Luka, SR Croatia, SFR Yugoslavia, at the age of 51. He is buried in the Alley of Distinguished Citizens at the New Cemetery in Belgrade.
