Who Is Bogdan Kuzmanović

Bogdan Kuzmanović is a Serbian stage, television and film actor, born on March 10, 1962, in Belgrade. He is best known to audiences as Roki, the silent and loyal bodyguard of businessman Ozren Soldatović in the cult series “Srećni ljudi” (Happy People), which aired on Radio Television of Belgrade from 1993 to 1996.

Although his roles were rarely leading ones, Kuzmanović became one of the most recognizable faces on Serbian television in the 1990s. He rose to prominence playing supporting characters, most often mobsters, bodyguards and policemen, and over time became synonymous with the “tough guy from security” in local TV series.

Besides “Srećni ljudi”, viewers remember him from the series “Porodično blago”, “Bela lađa”, “Bolji život”, “Otvorena vrata” and “Gore dole”, as well as from the films “Tesna koža 3”, “The Battle of Kosovo” and “Goodbye in Chicago”. In recent years, according to available information, he has devoted himself mostly to theatre.

Early Life and Childhood

Bogdan Kuzmanović was born on March 10, 1962, in Belgrade, in what was then the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia. This date and place of birth are consistent across several independent sources, including the Serbian Wikipedia and the IMDb film database.

Almost no public information exists about his childhood, family or upbringing. Throughout his career the actor rarely gave interviews, so details about his parents, siblings and schooling before the academy are not publicly known.

It is known, however, that he grew up in Belgrade, the city where he would later build most of his television and film career. Belgrade television production, above all the series of Radio Television of Belgrade, shaped his professional path.

Education

Bogdan Kuzmanović studied acting at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. According to available sources, he graduated in 1996.

Interestingly, he earned his degree at a time when television audiences already knew him well. Before finishing his studies he had appeared in several films and series, and by the time he graduated, the role of Roki in “Srećni ljudi” had already made him widely recognizable.

The Academy of Arts in Novi Sad is one of the two most important institutions for training actors in Serbia. The professors he studied under and the classmates he shared his class with are not publicly known.

Early Career

Bogdan Kuzmanović began his acting career in the late 1980s and has been active since 1988. His very first roles hinted at the type of characters audiences would later remember him for most.

Tesna koža 3 and First Film Steps

He made his first film appearance in the 1988 comedy “Tesna koža 3”, playing a minor character credited as “Guy 1”. According to media reports, he played a member of the security detail of the character portrayed by Voja Brajović.

That small part proved to be a turning point. Kuzmanović went on to land similar roles – mobsters, bodyguards and men with a “hard” look – and audiences quickly embraced him in that type of character.

The Battle of Kosovo and Balkan Express 2

In 1989 he appeared in the historical epic “The Battle of Kosovo”, made to mark 600 years since the Battle of Kosovo, in which he played the character Čauš. The same year he also played a passenger in the series “Balkan ekspres 2”.

These projects were his first serious experience on large productions, alongside seasoned actors and directors, and they introduced him to the Serbian film and television scene at the end of the Yugoslav period.

Rise to Popularity

In the early 1990s Bogdan Kuzmanović appeared more and more often in television series. Although his roles were mostly small, he gradually built a recognizable screen persona.

Bolji život and Working with Siniša Pavić

In the popular series “Bolji život” (A Better Life, 1990–1991) he played a poker player, appearing in four episodes according to IMDb. This series marked the beginning of his long collaboration with screenwriter Siniša Pavić, the author of some of the most-watched Serbian series.

According to the database “To su samo filmovi”, Pavić is his most frequent collaborator – Kuzmanović acted in five of his series: “Bolji život”, “Srećni ljudi”, “Gore dole”, “Porodično blago” and “Bela lađa”.

Series and Films in the Mid-1990s

In 1991 he played Kokorajko’s son in the series “U ime zakona”. Roles followed as a guard in “Goli život” (1994) and a thief in the series “Policajac sa Petlovog brda” (1994).

In the film “Sve će to narod pozlatiti” (1995) he played a captured Turk, and he also appeared in two episodes of the historical series “Kraj dinastije Obrenović” (1995).

In the comedy series “Otvorena vrata” he played a mobster, alongside actors such as Vesna Trivalić, Milan Lane Gutović, Bogdan Diklić, Nikola Đuričko, Bojana Maljević and Sofija Jović. Sources differ on the year of this role, citing both 1994 and 1995.

Bogdan Kuzmanović as Roki in “Srećni ljudi”

Bogdan Kuzmanović achieved his greatest popularity in the series “Srećni ljudi”, written by Siniša Pavić and broadcast by Radio Television of Belgrade. The first episode aired on September 12, 1993, and the last on June 30, 1996. The series has 70 episodes divided into two seasons.

The story follows the Golubović family during a time of sanctions, inflation and everyday hardship. The series featured actors such as Velimir Bata Živojinović, Radmila Savićević, Desimir Stanojević, Tanja Bošković, Svetlana Bojković, Eva Ras, Živojin Žika Milenković and Jelisaveta Seka Sablić.

Ozren Soldatović’s Bodyguard

Kuzmanović played Roki, the chief bodyguard of businessman Ozren Soldatović, portrayed by Dušan Golumbovski. Roki’s task in the story was to protect Soldatović from rival mob circles.

The role did not call for much dialogue, but his presence, stern expression, slicked-back hair, dark suit and sunglasses made Roki one of the show’s most memorable supporting characters. The media also frequently highlighted his deep voice.

The character is also remembered for his loyalty – Roki stayed faithful to his boss to the very end. That blend of silence and devotion made him an audience favorite.

Three Roles in One Series

Less well known is the fact that Kuzmanović played as many as three different roles in “Srećni ljudi”. He first appeared as a candidate looking for a job at a casino, where Aranđel Golubović, the character played by Bata Živojinović, is also looking for work.

He then played an escort policeman in two episodes, before landing the role of Roki. According to IMDb, he appears in 26 episodes of the series, while some media reports cite fewer appearances, so sources differ on this point.

The New Year’s Special

He reprised the role of Roki in 1996 in the TV film “Srećni ljudi: Novogodišnji specijal” (the New Year’s special), where he was credited as Bogdan Bogi Kuzmanović.

According to available reports, the character drew great interest from viewers, especially women. During that period, people often stopped the actor in the street to ask for his autograph.

Greatest Achievements

After “Srećni ljudi”, Bogdan Kuzmanović continued to appear in the most-watched Serbian series. Bodyguard roles became his trademark, but he also played other kinds of characters.

Porodično blago

In the series “Porodično blago” (Family Treasure), another major hit by Siniša Pavić, he played Jeza’s bodyguard. The series brought together actors such as Svetlana Bojković, Nebojša Glogovac, Mihailo Janketić, Mina Lazarević, Vukašin Marković, Žika Milenković and Vesna Trivalić.

Sources differ on the years the series aired, citing both 1998–2001 and 1999–2002.

Goodbye in Chicago and Gore dole

In the film “Goodbye in Chicago” (1996) he played a policeman. In the series “Gore dole” (1997), another Pavić project, he played a policeman and a construction worker.

At the start of the new century he appeared as a mobster in the film “A sad adio” (2000), followed by the TV film “Život je marš” (2003) and the series “Idealne veze” (2005).

Bela lađa

He reprised the role of Roki in the first season of the series “Bela lađa” (2007), whose lead character, Srećko Šojić, is played by Milan Lane Gutović. The return of a familiar character in a new Pavić series served as a nod to the audience that remembered Roki from “Srećni ljudi”.

Seljaci and Švindleri

In the series “Seljaci” (2007–2008) he played Dr. Žarko, a departure from his usual type of role. His most recent recorded television role is Đoka Slina in the series “Švindleri”, which aired in 2019 and 2020.

Selected Filmography

An overview of Bogdan Kuzmanović’s most important film and television roles, based on available sources:

• 1988 – “Tesna koža 3” – Guy 1
• 1989 – “The Battle of Kosovo” – Čauš
• 1989 – “Balkan ekspres 2” – passenger
• 1990–1991 – “Bolji život” – poker player
• 1991 – “U ime zakona” – Kokorajko’s son
• 1994 – “Goli život” – guard
• 1994 – “Policajac sa Petlovog brda” – thief
• 1995 – “Sve će to narod pozlatiti” – captured Turk
• 1995 – “Kraj dinastije Obrenović”
• 1994/1995 – “Otvorena vrata” – mobster
• 1993–1996 – “Srećni ljudi” – Roki / escort policeman / candidate
• 1996 – “Srećni ljudi: Novogodišnji specijal” – Ozren’s bodyguard Roki
• 1996 – “Goodbye in Chicago” – policeman
• 1997 – “Gore dole” – policeman / construction worker
• 2000 – “A sad adio” – mobster
• 1998–2001 – “Porodično blago” – Jeza’s bodyguard
• 2003 – “Život je marš”
• 2005 – “Idealne veze” – Bogdan
• 2007 – “Bela lađa” – Roki
• 2007–2008 – “Seljaci” – Dr. Žarko
• 2019–2020 – “Švindleri” – Đoka Slina

Theatre Work and Current Activities

Although wider audiences remember him from television, Bogdan Kuzmanović has worked in theatre since the start of his career. Several sources report that in recent years he has devoted himself almost entirely to the stage and stepped away from film and television.

The theatres he performs in and the plays he appears in are not publicly known, as the media have rarely covered his stage work.

The media have on several occasions published articles comparing his 1990s look with how he looks today. According to those reports, the most noticeable change is his hairstyle – instead of the old slicked-back look, he now wears his hair longer and curly.

Personal Life

Bogdan Kuzmanović has guarded his privacy throughout his career. Almost no information about his personal life is publicly available.

It is not publicly known whether he is married, whether he has children, or whom he has dated. Some media outlets claimed that at the height of his fame he skillfully kept his relationship status hidden, but no reliable information on this exists.

The actor has no official social media profiles that can be reliably confirmed as his, and he rarely appears in public outside the theatre.

Trivia

• In “Srećni ljudi” he played three different roles – a job candidate at a casino, an escort policeman and the bodyguard Roki.
• In the “Srećni ljudi” New Year’s special he was credited as Bogdan Bogi Kuzmanović.
• He acted in five series by screenwriter Siniša Pavić, his most frequent collaborator.
• He graduated from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad in 1996, when audiences already knew him.
• His very first role, in “Tesna koža 3”, was a security man, and similar characters followed him throughout his career.
• He played Roki in two different series – “Srećni ljudi” and “Bela lađa”.
• The media often call him “the most famous bodyguard of Serbian TV series”.

Awards and Recognition

According to publicly available sources, there is no record of any awards or official honors Bogdan Kuzmanović has received for his acting.

His greatest recognition, as the media often point out, is the lasting affection of audiences. Decades after “Srećni ljudi” aired, viewers still recognize him as Roki.

Legacy and Influence

Bogdan Kuzmanović belongs to the generation of actors who defined Serbian television in the 1990s. Although he most often played supporting and minor roles, he showed that a character with little dialogue can leave a strong and lasting impression.

Roki became part of popular culture and one of the symbols of “Srećni ljudi”, a series that portrayed the lives of ordinary people in hard times of sanctions and inflation. Generations grew up with the show, so almost everyone knows Ozren Soldatović and his loyal bodyguard.

Through his work with Siniša Pavić, Kuzmanović became part of a string of series that shaped Serbian television comedy. His appearance in “Bela lađa”, more than a decade after “Srećni ljudi”, confirmed how vividly Roki had stayed in viewers’ memories.

Media interest in how he looks and lives today shows that, despite stepping away from the screen, Bogdan Kuzmanović remains a recognizable name in Serbian acting.

Biography – Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Bogdan Kuzmanović?

Bogdan Kuzmanović is a Serbian stage, television and film actor from Belgrade, best known for playing the bodyguard Roki in the series “Srećni ljudi”.

How old is Bogdan Kuzmanović?

Bogdan Kuzmanović was born on March 10, 1962, which makes him 64 years old in 2026.

Where was Bogdan Kuzmanović born?

He was born in Belgrade, in what was then the Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia.

Whom did Bogdan Kuzmanović play in “Srećni ljudi”?

He played Roki, the chief bodyguard of businessman Ozren Soldatović, who was portrayed by Dušan Golumbovski.

How many roles did Bogdan Kuzmanović have in “Srećni ljudi”?

He played three roles in the series: a candidate looking for a job at a casino, an escort policeman and the bodyguard Roki.

Did Bogdan Kuzmanović act in “Bela lađa”?

Yes. He reprised the role of Roki in the first season of “Bela lađa” in 2007.

What did Bogdan Kuzmanović study?

He graduated in acting from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad in 1996.

What was Bogdan Kuzmanović’s first film?

He made his film debut in the 1988 comedy “Tesna koža 3”, in a minor role as a member of a security detail.

What does Bogdan Kuzmanović do today?

According to available sources, he now works mostly in theatre, while his last television appearance was in the series “Švindleri” (2019–2020).

Is Bogdan Kuzmanović married?

Information about his marital status and family is not publicly known, as the actor carefully protects his privacy.

Conclusion

Bogdan Kuzmanović is a Belgrade actor who, since the late 1980s, has built a recognizable career through minor and supporting roles. From his first role in “Tesna koža 3”, through “The Battle of Kosovo” and “Bolji život”, to “Porodično blago” and “Švindleri”, he has been remembered as an actor with a striking screen presence.

Above all, however, he is remembered as Roki, Ozren Soldatović’s loyal bodyguard in “Srećni ljudi”, a character he reprised in “Bela lađa”. Now focused on theatre and far from the public eye, he remains one of the recognizable faces of 1990s Serbian television.