Who Was Josif Tatić

Josif Tatić was a Serbian theatre, film, and television actor, born on April 13, 1946, in Novi Sad, and who passed away on February 8, 2013, in Belgrade. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Josif Tatić appeared in more than seventy film and television roles, along with numerous notable stage performances. Audiences remember him best for playing Božidar Soldatović, nicknamed "Jataganac," in the series "Bolji život" ("A Better Life"), and Tanasije Vitorović, known as "Tale," in the series "Grlom u jagode" ("Head Over Heels") — a nickname that stuck with him in private life as well, among colleagues and friends.He was a longtime member of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre and one of the founders of Belgrade's first off-theatre. By all accounts from his contemporaries, he brought a rare naturalness and charm to both stage and screen. He left behind a rich body of work and the memory of a man who, despite his fame, remained modest, witty, and deeply loyal to his friends.

Early Life and Childhood

Josif Tatić was born into a family of actors — his parents, Branko and Hristina Tatić, were also respected performers. Growing up surrounded by theatre and the arts shaped much of his later professional path, although his road to acting was not entirely straightforward at first.As a young man, before committing seriously to acting, he tried his hand at boxing. He trained for a time but gave it up after being knocked out in his third bout. This youthful episode later became a well-known anecdote, illustrating his temperament — a man willing to try something new and, when it didn't work out, to turn to another path with humor.

Education

Josif Tatić received his formal training in acting at the Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television in Belgrade, one of the most respected acting schools in the former Yugoslavia. During his studies, he developed the technique and stage presence he would later bring to numerous theatre, film, and television productions.

Start of Career

Josif Tatić began his acting career in the late 1960s. He made his film debut in 1967, playing a soldier in "Jutro" ("Morning"), directed by Puriša Đorđević, one of the most significant Yugoslav filmmakers of the era. That same year, he appeared in "Deca vojvode Šmita," and in 1968 he took on roles in "Vuk sa Prokletija," playing Džahid, and "Bekstva," in which he played Grujić.A defining year for his stage career was 1968, when he became a permanent member of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre in Belgrade, one of the most prestigious theatres in the region. He made his debut there in the play "Požar strasti," and remained affiliated with the theatre for the rest of his career, even as he continued to appear as a guest performer elsewhere.

Rise to Popularity

Throughout the 1970s, Josif Tatić performed in numerous plays, including "Kad su cvetale tikve," "Spaseni," "Dundo Maroje," "Pučina," "Balkanski špijun," "Seobe," "Muke po Živojinu," and "Valjevska bolnica." During this period, together with colleague and friend Predrag Ejdus, he founded the theatre "Pod razno" — Belgrade's first off-theatre, offering an alternative to the institutional theatre scene of the time.His partnership with Predrag Ejdus proved to be one of the most fruitful acting duos on the Serbian stage. The two actors performed together in a number of productions at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre and the National Theatre, and their play "Šovinistička farsa" ("Chauvinistic Farce") by Radoslav Pavlović, in which Tatić played Slobodan Mihajlović opposite Ejdus's Bernard Drah, was performed, according to Ejdus, more than 1,800 times across the former Yugoslavia.Josif Tatić became a household name to television audiences in the 1980s, thanks to his role as Božidar Soldatović, "Jataganac," in the cult series "Bolji život," which aired from 1987 to 1991. Soon after, his role as Tanasije Vitorović, "Tale," in "Grlom u jagode" cemented his status as one of the most beloved actors on Serbian and regional television — the character's nickname, in everyday speech, became almost synonymous with the actor himself.

Greatest Achievements

Over the course of his career, Josif Tatić appeared in more than a hundred films and television productions between 1967 and 2011. Notable film credits include "Balkan Express" (1983), the second installment of the "Hajde da se volimo" series (1989), "Tri karte za Holivud" ("Three Tickets to Hollywood," 1993), "Rane" ("Wounds," 1998), and "Profesionalac" ("The Professional," 2003), as well as the 2009 film "Čekaj me i ja ću sigurno doći." He also appeared in an American production known locally as "Braća Blum" ("The Brothers Bloom").On television, in addition to his roles as Jataganac and Tale, he is remembered for his part in the 1987 series "Vuk Karadžić," as well as later domestic series "Srećni ljudi" and "Porodično blago." One of his last significant television roles came in director Miroslav Lekić's series "Ulica lipa," which he finished filming shortly before his death.On stage, beyond the already mentioned "Šovinistička farsa," his standout roles include performances in "Knez Pavle," "Mein Kampf," "Troil i Kresida," "Bure baruta," "Molijer – još jedan život," "Italijanska noć," and "Hadersfild," in which he played the role of the father.

Personal Life

Josif Tatić was known as a great Belgrade bohemian, a man who enjoyed tavern gatherings, good food, drink, and cigarettes, though, as he himself said, he tempered that lifestyle in his later years — giving up cigarettes and alcohol, keeping only an occasional glass of red wine. In one of his rare interviews, since he regarded journalists as a "necessary evil," he recalled that during his "wild years" he mostly kept company with people from different professions rather than exclusively with fellow actors. He most enjoyed spending his free time fishing, finding peace and relaxation in it.He was married twice. From his first marriage, he had a daughter, Jelisaveta Tatić-Čuturilo, who built a career as a respected costume designer. At the age of 57, with his second wife, Beba, a dentist by profession, he had a younger daughter, Hristina — the birth of his second child later in life, according to those close to him, further settled him and brought him happiness.One of the most significant friendships of his life was with actor Predrag Ejdus, with whom he shared both his professional and personal life for decades, from co-founding the theatre "Pod razno" to hundreds of shared evenings on stage. Ejdus described Tatić as an exceptionally good man, a brilliant artist, endlessly witty and pleasant, and a trusted partner.Josif Tatić died suddenly, in his sleep, on February 8, 2013, in Belgrade, at the age of 66. News of his death shocked his colleagues and the public, as he had remained active until his final days — having recently finished filming the series "Ulica lipa." He was laid to rest in the Alley of the Deserving Citizens at Belgrade's New Cemetery.

Interesting Facts

• His acting idol was the famous Hollywood actor Humphrey Bogart.
• As a young man, he briefly trained in boxing but gave it up after being knocked out in his third match.
• The nickname of his character Tale from "Grlom u jagode" became so closely tied to him that both colleagues and audiences often addressed him by that name in everyday life.
• With Predrag Ejdus, he performed "Šovinistička farsa" more than 1,800 times, from Đevđelija to Triglav, covering nearly the entire territory of the former Yugoslavia.
• He was one of the founders of the theatre "Pod razno," Belgrade's first off-theatre.

Awards and Recognition

• An award from the newspaper "Večernje novosti" for his role in the play "Pučina."
• Recognition at the Slobodarske pozorišne svečanosti festival in Mladenovac in 1985, for his role in "Šovinistička farsa."
• An award at Joakimfest in 2005, for his role as the Father in "Hadersfild."
• The "Zoranov brk" award at the Days of Zoran Radmilović in 2006, for the same role.
• The "Ardalion" award at the Yugoslav Theatre Festival in 2007.

Legacy and Influence

Josif Tatić left a deep mark on Serbian acting and theatrical tradition. The characters of Jataganac and Tale remain part of the collective memory of Yugoslav and Serbian television popular culture of the 1980s and 1990s, and the series "Bolji život" and "Grlom u jagode" continue to be rerun and referenced as classics of domestic television. His partnership with Predrag Ejdus and the founding of the "Pod razno" theatre are remembered as a significant contribution to the development of Belgrade's alternative theatre scene.The family's artistic line was continued by his daughter, Jelisaveta Tatić-Čuturilo, an accomplished costume designer, carrying forward the Tatić family's acting and artistic legacy that began with his parents, Branko and Hristina, into the next generation.

Biography – Frequently Asked Questions

When and where was Josif Tatić born?

Josif Tatić was born on April 13, 1946, in Novi Sad.

When and how did Josif Tatić die?

He died suddenly, in his sleep, on February 8, 2013, in Belgrade, at the age of 66.

Where is Josif Tatić buried?

He is buried in the Alley of the Deserving Citizens at Belgrade's New Cemetery.

What is Josif Tatić best known for?

He is best known for playing Božidar Soldatović, "Jataganac," in "Bolji život," and Tanasije Vitorović, "Tale," in "Grlom u jagode," as well as for his stage role in "Šovinistička farsa."

Did Josif Tatić have children?

He had two daughters: Jelisaveta Tatić-Čuturilo, a well-known costume designer from his first marriage, and Hristina, born from his second marriage to his wife Beba.

Where did Josif Tatić study acting?

He studied at the Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio and Television in Belgrade.

Which theatre was Josif Tatić associated with?

He was a longtime member of the Yugoslav Drama Theatre and was also one of the founders of the theatre "Pod razno."

Which actor did Josif Tatić collaborate with the most?

He collaborated most closely with Predrag Ejdus, with whom he founded the "Pod razno" theatre and performed "Šovinistička farsa" more than 1,800 times.

What awards did Josif Tatić win?

His awards include the "Večernje novosti" award, recognition at the Slobodarske pozorišne svečanosti festival, an award at Joakimfest, the "Zoranov brk" award, and the "Ardalion" award.

Who were Josif Tatić's parents?

His parents, Branko and Hristina Tatić, were also actors.

Conclusion

Josif Tatić remains one of the most recognizable Serbian actors of the second half of the twentieth century — an artist whose characters Jataganac and Tale became part of popular culture, and a theatrical figure who, together with Predrag Ejdus, defined an entire era of Belgrade's alternative theatre scene. Born into a family of actors in Novi Sad in 1946, he built a career spanning more than four decades, marked by over a hundred film and television roles and numerous theatre awards. He died suddenly in 2013 in Belgrade, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy and the memory of a witty, warm, and talented man.