Who Is Nenad Jezdić

Nenad Jezdić (born in Valjevo on 12 July 1972) is a Serbian stage, film and television actor. Audiences know him for his powerful theatre roles, for the series “Bela lađa”, “Državni službenik” and “Kamiondžije d.o.o.”, and for the Lav beer commercial “Ili jesi ili nisi” (“Either you are or you aren’t”).

For many years he was a member of the Atelje 212 ensemble, and since 2020 he has performed at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre. He also appears regularly at Zvezdara Theatre. He has won the Sterija Award, the Miloš Žutić Award and numerous other honours.

Off stage, he leads an unusual life for an artist. For two decades he has lived on the family estate in the village of Zabrdica near Valjevo, where he grows fruit and makes rakija under the name “Jezdić”.

Early Life and Childhood

Nenad Jezdić was born on 12 July 1972 in Valjevo, then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. His family comes from the village of Zabrdica in the Valjevo region, where he later built his home.

He grew up surrounded by people who grew fruit, distilled rakija and talked about it seriously. He says his love of fruit growing and rakija-making is part of his childhood and is older than his decision to become an actor.

That early influence later became one of the defining features of his life. No reliable public information is available about his parents and immediate family from that period, so none is given here.

Education

Nenad Jezdić completed primary school and secondary technical school in his native Valjevo. He then moved to Belgrade, where he enrolled in acting at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts.

He graduated in the class of Professor Predrag Bajčetić. Theatre and film sources list the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade as his alma mater.

Early Career

Nenad Jezdić took his first film roles in the 1990s. Some sources give 1993 as the start of his screen career. Among his earliest titles are “Ni na nebu ni na zemlji” (1994), in which he plays a character named Vlada, and “Tamna je noć” (1995), in which he plays Nenad “Neni” Aškerc.

These were followed by “Tri letnja dana” (1996), “Tri palme za dve bitange i ribicu” (1998), in which he plays Pendula, and “Lajanje na zvezde” (1998). In 2000 he appeared in “Tajna porodičnog blaga” as Boda Tajson.

At the same time he was building his stage career. From 1998 he was a permanent member of Atelje 212 in Belgrade, where he remained until 2020.

Rise to Popularity

The turning point came in the early 2000s. Nenad Jezdić played Lemi in “Mrtav ladan” (2002) and a peasant in “Kordon” (2002). He then played a drug dealer in “Mali svet” (2003) and the character Kockasti in “San zimske noći” (2004).

He won the widest television audience through comedy series. In “Dolari stižu” (2005–2006) he played Živorad Živanović. Then came “Bela lađa” (2006–2012), in which he played Blaško Pantić, the son of Dimitrije Pantić. The cast also included Petar Kralj, Milan Lane Gutović, Ljiljana Dragutinović and Mina Lazarević.

Likewise, Nenad Jezdić was given the title role in the comedy “Crni Gruja i kamen mudrosti” (Black Gruya and the Stone of Wisdom, 2007). The film was directed by Marko Marinković, and the cast included Nikola Kojo, Dragan Bjelogrlić, Zoran Cvijanović and Boris Milivojević.

In 2008 and 2009 came roles in historical and war productions. He played Prince Miloš Obrenović in “Kneževina Srbija” and King Alexander I Karađorđević in “Poslednja audijencija”. He also appeared in “Ranjeni orao” (as Gojko Marić) and in “Drug Crni u NOB-u” (as Život Grujić).

Director Zdravko Šotra told the daily Danas that he had given Jezdić a part in all his casts over the previous quarter of a century. He said he would have roles for him in the future, because he considers him a good actor.

Theatre Career

Although the wider public knows him from television and the commercial, theatre remains the centre of his artistic work. Critics often count him among the most notable actors of his generation.

Atelje 212

Nenad Jezdić spent more than two decades at Atelje 212, from 1998 to 2020. After 22 years he left the theatre and moved to the Yugoslav Drama Theatre.

Yugoslav Drama Theatre

He had performed at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre (Jugoslovensko dramsko pozorište, JDP) as a guest for years, and in September 2020 he officially joined its ensemble. He appeared in “The Patriots” (Rodoljupci) by Jovan Sterija Popović, directed by Dejan Mijač (2003), and in “The Terrace” (Terasa) by Jovan Hristić, directed by Tanja Mandić Rigonat (2004).

In recent years he has had notable roles in “Uncle Vanya” by Anton Chekhov and “Under the Millstone” (Pod žrvnjem) by Dragoslav Nenadić, both directed by Egon Savin. He also appeared in “Right You Are (If You Think So)” by Luigi Pirandello, directed by Jagoš Marković.

A special place belongs to the role of Jožef Kantor in “The King of Betajnova” (Kralj Betajnove) by Ivan Cankar, directed by Milan Nešković. It earned him the Miloš Žutić Award and the City of Belgrade Award for theatre work.

In “The Miracle at Šargan” (Čudo u Šarganu) by Ljubomir Simović, directed by Jagoš Marković, he played the Beggar. He appeared alongside Anita Mančić, Sanja Marković, Boris Isaković and Aleksej Bjelogrlić. The role won him the Sterija Award.

Next came “The Travelling Troupe Šopalović” (Putujuće pozorište Šopalović), another Simović text directed by Jagoš Marković. He also appeared in Nušić’s “Pučina”, directed by Egon Savin, together with Sloboda Mićalović, Ljubomir Bandović and Vesna Stanković.

For the title role in “The Development Path of Bora Šnajder” (Razvojni put Bore Šnajdera) by Aleksandar Popović, directed by Egon Savin, he won the best actor award at the 50th Days of Comedy festival in Jagodina.

Zvezdara Theatre

At Zvezdara Theatre, Nenad Jezdić performs in the monodrama “Knjiga o Milutinu” (The Book of Milutin), based on a text by Danko Popović. The production was directed by Egon Savin, with music by Bora Dugić and set and costume design by Vesna Popović. Jezdić plays Milutin Ostojić.

The production has toured about thirty towns in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Montenegro, and has been seen by more than ten thousand spectators. For it, Jezdić received the Golden Medal “Maja Dimitrijević” for best monodrama at the 47th Festival of Monodrama and Pantomime in Zemun. The jury noted that he played vividly, precisely, with inspiration and truthfully.

In early 2026 Jezdić played Luka Laban at Zvezdara Theatre in a new staging of “Profesionalac” (The Professional) by Dušan Kovačević, who also directed it. The play was first staged almost four decades ago, when Bata Stojković played Luka Laban. The new cast also includes Igor Đorđević, Ana Franić and Duško Ašković.

For this role Jezdić received the Sterija Award for acting at the 71st Sterijino Pozorje. At the Vršac Theatre Autumn festival the production won the audience award, and Jezdić and Igor Đorđević shared a special award for partner acting.

National Theatre

Nenad Jezdić also received the “Raša Plaović” award of the National Theatre in Belgrade for the 2022/2023 season. According to the list of laureates, he had also received this recognition in 2019.

Greatest Achievements

In recent years Nenad Jezdić has also built a series of notable television and film roles. In “Državni službenik” (The Civil Servant, 2019–2022) he plays Colonel Slavko, in “Kamiondžije d.o.o.” (Truckers, Inc., 2020–2023) the character Baja, and in “Branilac” (The Defender, 2021–2023) the lawyer Veljko Guberina.

Other notable film and television works include:

• “Vikend sa ćaletom” (Weekend with Pops) – he plays Milorad Mitrović Kašika, directed by Miroslav Momčilović, alongside Branko Vidaković;
• “Senke nad Balkanom” (Shadows over the Balkans) (2017) – the Tailor;
• “Koreni” (The Roots) (2018) – Tola Dačić;
• “Enklava” (Enclave) (2015) – the bus driver;
• “Bunar” (The Well) (2022) – Juga’s uncle Juga;
• “Poslednji strelac” (The Last Shooter) (2024) – Kuruzović;
• “Prva klasa pun gas” (First Class: Full Speed!) – Gojko.

According to film databases, Jezdić has appeared in more than fifty films and series.

The “Ili jesi ili nisi” Commercial

A distinct part of his popularity comes from an advertising campaign for Lav beer. The 2004 commercial, in which he plays the best man at a wedding who gives the newlyweds a television set and then the keys to his own car, became part of popular culture. The slogan “Ili jesi ili nisi” and the line about the best man and the television stayed in everyday speech.

According to the agency McCann Belgrade, Jezdić has long been the brand’s ambassador. Twelve years later a remake of the famous commercial was made. In 2016 a series of short comic video sketches about slava (patron saint day) celebrations followed, collecting more than a million views on social media. He also appeared at the Lav stand at the Belgrade Beer Fest.

Life in the Countryside and the Jezdić Distillery

At the height of his popularity, Nenad Jezdić decided to return to his native region. Since the early 2000s he has lived with his family in the village of Zabrdica near Valjevo, on the estate his family comes from. There he built a house and developed orchards.

The family distillery grew out of those orchards. Sources differ on exactly when it began: one says he planted his first fruit trees ten years before that article was published, while another says the distillery dates back 20 years to the first plantings.

The “Jezdić” rakijas made from plum, sour cherry and honey won three gold medals at the 79th Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad. The estate then covered about 15 hectares. Jezdić said he entered with a great deal of doubt and had not expected a gold medal.

In his words, rakija must be made from fruit only, without flavour enhancers or sweeteners. In interviews he talks about a goal of the distillery one day reaching a capacity of two hundred thousand litres a year, with twenty or so hectares of fruit. He has also said that this passion helped him get through the pandemic more easily.

Public Engagement and Controversies

Because of his popularity and public standing, some of Jezdić’s public appearances have drawn divided reactions. The media have followed these events and the debates around them, and only confirmed facts are reported here.

In 2019, at the ceremonial opening of the Obrenovac–Ljig motorway section, he greeted Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić dressed as Prince Miloš Obrenović. The motorway is named “Miloš Veliki”. Zdravko Šotra later said that he should not be limited in getting roles because of it.

In August 2025 he was presented at the Palace of Serbia as a member of the National Team for the Revival of Serbian Villages. On that occasion he spoke about the importance of the countryside and of returning to one’s roots.

In October 2025 the media reported that after the last performance of “The Travelling Troupe Šopalović” at the JDP, he was the only actor on stage who did not raise a red student index, a symbol of the student protests. Jezdić said he does not want to politicise something that is part of his job. Reactions were mixed. Colleagues including Milan Marić and Nedim Nezirović, as well as journalist Olja Bećković, publicly expressed support for him.

Personal Life

Nenad Jezdić has been married for many years and has four children. He shields his family from the public, and, as he says, his wife does not wish to be exposed, so she rarely appears at public events.

In interviews he has stressed that his family is his greatest support. He has also said he believes in teaching by example rather than by words.

He has no social media profiles. He has explained his position by saying that he does not want to take part in what he regards as a false world.

Interesting Facts

• By his own account, he prefers to be called a peasant rather than a VIP.
• His rakijas are named “darosava”, “leposava” and “dikosava”.
• The 2004 “Ili jesi ili nisi” commercial is still cited as one of the most recognisable in Serbia.
• He has appeared in more than fifty films and series.
• The monodrama “Knjiga o Milutinu” has been performed more than a hundred times.
• He has played historical figures: Prince Miloš Obrenović and King Alexander I Karađorđević.

Awards and Recognitions

• Sterija Award for acting (2022) – for the role of the Beggar in “The Miracle at Šargan”;
• Sterija Award for acting (2026) – for the role of Luka Laban in “Profesionalac”;
• Miloš Žutić Award of the Association of Drama Artists of Serbia for 2018 – for the role of Jožef Kantor in “The King of Betajnova”;
• City of Belgrade Award for theatre work (2018);
• “Veljko Maričić” Award for best supporting role at the festival in Rijeka (2018) – “Right You Are (If You Think So)”;
• “Raša Plaović” Award of the National Theatre for the 2022/2023 season;
• Golden Medal “Maja Dimitrijević” for best monodrama – “Knjiga o Milutinu”;
• Best actor award at the 50th Days of Comedy in Jagodina (2024);
• Grand Prix “Naisa” at the Film Encounters festival in Niš (2021) – for the role in “Weekend with Pops”;
• Three gold medals for rakija at the 79th Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad.

Legacy and Influence

Nenad Jezdić is one of those actors who successfully combine theatre, film and television. Many viewers know his comic talent, but his theatre awards show that he is just as strong in dramatic roles.

Through collaboration with directors such as Egon Savin, Jagoš Marković, Milan Nešković and Dušan Kovačević, he has contributed to some of the most notable stage productions of recent years.

His path from city to village, alongside theatre and rakija production, has also become a subject of public debate about returning to the countryside. In this way Nenad Jezdić has remained recognisable beyond the stage.

Biography – Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Nenad Jezdić?

Nenad Jezdić is a Serbian stage, film and television actor, a member of the ensemble of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre in Belgrade. He is also known as a rakija producer.

When and where was Nenad Jezdić born?

He was born on 12 July 1972 in Valjevo, then part of SFR Yugoslavia.

Where did Nenad Jezdić study acting?

He graduated in acting from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, in the class of Professor Predrag Bajčetić.

Which theatres does Nenad Jezdić perform in?

From 1998 to 2020 he was a member of Atelje 212. Since September 2020 he has been a member of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre, and he also performs at Zvezdara Theatre.

What are Nenad Jezdić’s best-known television and film roles?

His best-known roles are Blaško Pantić in the series “Bela lađa”, Colonel Slavko in “Državni službenik”, Baja in “Kamiondžije d.o.o.” and the title character in the film “Crni Gruja i kamen mudrosti”.

Which awards has Nenad Jezdić won?

Among the most important are two Sterija Awards (2022 and 2026), the Miloš Žutić Award, the “Raša Plaović” Award and the Golden Medal “Maja Dimitrijević”.

Why is Nenad Jezdić known for the “Ili jesi ili nisi” commercial?

He played the best man in the 2004 Lav beer advertising campaign. The commercial became part of popular culture, and he has long been the brand’s ambassador.

What does Nenad Jezdić do besides acting?

He grows fruit and produces rakija in his own distillery in the village of Zabrdica near Valjevo. His rakijas won three gold medals at the agricultural fair in Novi Sad.

Does Nenad Jezdić have social media profiles?

No. The actor has said publicly that he has no social media profiles because he does not want to take part in what he regards as a false world.

Where does Nenad Jezdić live?

He lives with his family on an estate in the village of Zabrdica near Valjevo, where his family comes from.

Conclusion

Nenad Jezdić is an actor whose work spans three decades of theatre, film and television. From his first roles in the 1990s, through Atelje 212 and the Yugoslav Drama Theatre, to the monodrama “Knjiga o Milutinu” and “Profesionalac”, he has built a reputation as a serious dramatic artist.

He has also become recognisable for the “Ili jesi ili nisi” commercial and for his life on the estate in Zabrdica. Thanks to his awards, roles and public activity, Nenad Jezdić remains one of the most recognisable names in contemporary Serbian acting.