Who Is Mina Lazarević

Mina Lazarević (full name Mirjana Lazarević, born in Belgrade on 10 July 1975) is a Serbian stage, television and film actress, singer and voice actress. The wider public first got to know her in the late 1990s as Biljana Čupka Gavrilović in the series “Porodično blago” (Family Treasure), and since then she has built a career that spans both dramatic and musical stages.

She grew up in a family of musicians and was a pianist first. Only after several years of serious musical training did she decide to enroll in acting school. That decision defined her professional path, but music never completely disappeared from her work.

Today she is a permanent member of the Terazije Theatre ensemble, where she performs in musicals and dramatic productions. She has also played key characters in the series “Bela lađa,” “Junaci našeg doba” and “Igra sudbine,” and has lent her voice to numerous animated characters.

Early Life and Childhood

Mina Lazarević was born on 10 July 1975 in Belgrade. She grew up in Block 45 in New Belgrade and attended the “Branko Radičević” elementary school in the same neighborhood. Her first responsibilities were at the “Bambi” kindergarten.

Her parents devoted their entire lives to music. Her father, Ljubiša, was a conductor, and her mother, Marija, sang in the choir of the Terazije Theatre. Thanks to them, Mina got to know the theater, the stage and everything that happens behind it at an early age. According to biographical sites, she also has an older half-brother on her father’s side, with whom she has always gotten along well.

She began playing the piano at the age of three. At five and a half, she enrolled in the “Stevan Mokranjac” music school. By the age of eight she was already performing at republic and federal competitions, where she won first prizes in solfège and piano. Many predicted a successful music career for her at the time.

Besides music, she was also involved in sports. At eleven, she began training in athletics. For a year she practiced sprint disciplines, primarily the 100 meters, at the Partizan stadium.

Education

She finished music school at sixteen. Her wish was to continue her education in Moscow or Vienna, but the situation in the country in the early 1990s prevented it. She therefore stayed in Belgrade and enrolled at the Academy of Music. She made it almost to the end of the first year, but began to lose satisfaction because she could not study where she had wanted to.

She prepared for the entrance exam at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts with the help of actress Nada Blam. At nineteen she was accepted into the class of Professor Vlado Jeftović. Her classmates included Ljubomir Bandović, Nataša Šolak and Andrej Šepetkovski, among others.

She graduated at twenty-two. Soon afterward she became a mother, which marked the beginning of her professional career.

Early Career

Until 1993, Mina Lazarević was a pianist in the orchestra of the Terazije Theatre. After graduating, she became a permanent member of the theater’s acting ensemble. She got her first engagements by stepping in for other performers, filling in for colleagues in the musicals “Briljantin” (Grease) and “Violinista na krovu” (Fiddler on the Roof). Director Aleksandar Đorđević entrusted her with a role in “Violinista na krovu,” which appeared on the repertoire in mid-December 1993.

She got her first major stage role in “Snežna kraljica” (The Snow Queen), in which she played Gerda. She worked with director Milan Karadžić at the “Boško Buha” Theatre on the productions “Snežna kraljica” and “U cara Trojana kozje uši” (Emperor Trojan Has Goat’s Ears). She also performed in “Trojanke” (The Trojan Women) at the National Theatre in Belgrade.

During the early years of her career, she showed that she could combine acting, singing and musical preparation. That combination became her signature, especially in musicals.

Rise to Popularity: Porodično blago

The turning point in her career came in 1998, when she landed one of the main female roles in the series “Porodično blago.” As Biljana Čupka Gavrilović, she became a favorite of audiences across the former Yugoslavia. The series ran until 2002 and comprised 62 episodes, and according to media reports, Mina joined it only a few months after giving birth.

The series was written by Siniša Pavić, the creator of several popular family series. Mina later spoke about what a privilege it was to start her career in his project. In the series she acted alongside Nebojša Glogovac, Svetlana Bojković, Vojin Ćetković and other well-known names of the local scene.

Her duo with Vojin Ćetković, who played Goran “Brando” Gagić, is particularly remembered. For the roles of Čupa and Brando, they were awarded two “Ona i on” (She and He) awards at the Film Encounters in Niš. The character of Čupka also appeared in the 2000 television film “A sad adio” (And Now Goodbye).

Television and Film Roles

After “Porodično blago,” Mina Lazarević continued to build her film and television career. In 2001 she appeared in the drama “Normalni ljudi” (Normal People), directed by Oleg Novković, in which she acted alongside Nebojša Glogovac, Ljubinka Klarić and Ivan Jevtović. The same year she also appeared in “Sex Bomb.”

In the following years, audiences saw her in “Povuci ručnu” (Pull the Handbrake) and “Prekidamo program” (We Interrupt the Program), as well as in the 2002 drama “Država mrtvih” (The State of the Dead), in which she played a journalist. From 2003 she played Mina in the series “Mansarda” (The Attic), broadcast by Television Belgrade.

She was recognized by a wider audience again as Miroslava Mirković, the so-called “crazy Mira,” in the comedy series “Bela lađa” (The White Ship). The series was also written by Siniša Pavić and aired from 2006 to 2012, with as many as 90 episodes. She then played Ljubinka in the drama series “Cvat lipe na Balkanu” (Linden Blossom in the Balkans), based on the novel by Gordana Kuić.

Director Ivan Stefanović entrusted her with the role of Anđa in the 2015 series “Jedne letnje noći” (One Summer Night), and she played Goga in the telenovela “Istine i laži” (Truths and Lies) from 2017 to 2018. Since December 2019, she has played Maja Čičanović, the main female character in the series “Junaci našeg doba” (Heroes of Our Time), alongside Igor Đorđević, Branko Cvejić and Isidora Građanin. According to her, Pavić wrote that role for her, and she says the series opened a new chapter for her and brought roles as a mother.

In the telenovela “Igra sudbine” (Game of Fate), she played Inspector Stana Dželetović across 159 episodes. Since September 2022, she has played Nina Mikolić in the series “Od jutra do sutra” (From Morning to Night), whose lead roles are played by Ivana Dudić and Milutin Milošević.

Stage Career

The theater has always been the central place of her work. From April 1999, at her home theater, she played Madame Pajarden in the production “Hotel Slobodan promet” (Free Trade Hotel). The following year, at the “Kult” Theatre, she played Dina in “Bliži zemlji” (Closer to the Ground), directed by Vladimir Lazić.

Director Irena Ristić assigned her the role of Darija Pajić in “11 nedelja” (11 Weeks), which premiered at the Yugoslav Drama Theatre in May 2000. From June of the same year, she performed at the “Slavija” Theatre in “Pozovi me odmah” (Call Me Right Away). At the Belgrade Drama Theatre, she played Larisa in “Praćka” (The Slingshot), presented by director Ana Đorđević on 4 March 2002.

That same year she played Iva and Sandy in “Golje” and “Briljantin” at the Terazije Theatre. Dimitrije Jovanović assigned her the roles of Lois Lane and Bianca in “Poljubi me, Kejt” (Kiss Me, Kate). From September 2005 she worked with Milan Lane Gutović on “Izgubljena forma” (Lost Form) at the “Slavija” Theatre.

At the Terazije Theatre, from October and December 2005, she played Sheila, Henriette and Eve in “A Chorus Line,” “Učene žene” (The Learned Ladies) and “Sve za tebe ljubavi” (All for You, Love). Director Dejan Volf entrusted her with the role of Honey in “Ko se boji Virdžinije Vulf” (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), which premiered in early July 2006 at the “Slavija” Theatre. From 2007 she played Amalija in “Svadba u kupatilu” (Wedding in the Bathroom), and she worked with director Rade Vukotić on the productions “Bračni kabare” (Marriage Cabaret) and “Menjamo žene” (Swapping Wives).

From April 2010, at her home theater, she played Lola in “Na slovo, na slovo” (By the Letter). From March 2011 she worked with Ana Zdravković and the Madlenianum Opera and Theatre on “Doručak kod Tifanija” (Breakfast at Tiffany’s), where she played the mother, and in the same year she also appeared in the musical “Pod sjajem zvezda” (Under the Starlight).

Director Staša Koprivica entrusted her with the role of Jeca in “Čorba od kanarinca” (Canary Soup), which appeared on the repertoire of the Zvezdara Teatar in February 2013. From November of the same year, she played Julka in “Ženidba i udadba” (Marriage and Matchmaking).

A special moment of her career was the title role in the musical “Viktor Viktorija” (Victor/Victoria), directed by Mihailo Vukobratović, which premiered in June 2014 at the Terazije Theatre. She renewed her collaboration with the same director on “Sweet Charity,” in which she played Nickie from January 2016. In the meantime, from December 2015, she played the sister in “Laki komad” (An Easy Piece) in collaboration with Nenad Gvozdenović and the Čukarica Cultural Center.

During 2018 audiences saw her in the productions “Inside Out” and “Crveni šešir” (The Red Hat), and since 2020 she has played Ljudmila Krga in “Ja (o) meni” (Me (About) Me), which has toured across Serbia and the region. She is also a member of the ensemble of the poetic and musical cabaret “Čeznem da vam kažem” (I Long to Tell You), which Miki Damjanović presented in 2023 at the Vuk cultural center in Belgrade.

Music Career

Although she chose acting, Mina Lazarević never gave up music. According to available data, at the festival in Zrenjanin in 2001 she presented the song “Bez tebe” (Without You). Two years later she performed the number “Namerno” (On Purpose) at Beovizija, and the same year at the Radio Festival she performed the song “Da li ona zna” (Does She Know). These recordings were released by the record labels PGP RTS and City Records.

She has been a guest at concerts of her colleague Ivan Bosiljčić and other artists, and she has also performed with the Symphony Orchestra of the “Stanislav Binički” Artistic Ensemble of the Ministry of Defence. She has said publicly more than once that it has long been her wish to record a jazz album.

She was also a member of the jury for the third season of the talent show “Ja imam talenat.”

Voice Actress and Dubbing

Mina Lazarević has lent her voice to numerous animated characters. Audiences have heard her in productions such as “Polje lala” (Tulip Field), “Super špijunke” (The Spy Girls), “Štrumfovi” (The Smurfs), “Teletabisi” (Teletubbies), “Vinks” (Winx Club), “Mladi mutanti nindža kornjače” (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), “Moj mali poni: Prijateljstvo je magija” (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic), “Monster haj” (Monster High) and “Barbi: Život u kući snova” (Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse). She also lent her voice to the puppet series “Šumska škola” (Forest School).

This part of her career often remains in the shadow of her prominent television roles, but it was through dubbing that she reached the youngest audiences.

Greatest Achievements

Mina Lazarević’s greatest success is tied to the role of Čupka in “Porodično blago,” which remains one of the best-known domestic series to this day. That character made her recognizable across the region.

On the stage, her title role in the musical “Viktor Viktorija” stands out; audiences praised it for its complex acting and singing demands. Her participation in “Čorba od kanarinca” has also been noted.

Her long-standing presence on television is also significant: “Bela lađa,” “Junaci našeg doba” and “Igra sudbine” confirmed that she has been able to hold audiences’ attention for two decades.

Private Life

Mina Lazarević lives and works in Belgrade. She is the mother of three children. She entered her first marriage with jazz musician Aleksandar Saša Miletić, and their son Luka was born in the late 1990s. Although they separated, they continued to work together and raise their son jointly, and the actress has said publicly that her ex-husband’s support means a great deal to her.

She then began a relationship with ballet dancer Goran Stanić, a soloist with the National Theatre in Belgrade. According to available data, they married around 2008, and the same year they had a daughter, Iva. Three years later their son Marko was born.

In August 2015, the media extensively reported on an incident in their apartment in Zvezdara, after which Stanić was detained. According to media reports, the proceedings ended with a settlement with the prosecutor’s office. Stanić later disputed some of the allegations in statements to the media. The couple divorced in 2017, and custody of the children went to Mina. The actress has described that period as very difficult, but said her children gave her strength.

In one interview she also spoke about health problems, when she needed surgery because of a thyroid problem. Despite this, she continued performing in plays and returned to work.

In interviews, the actress has stressed that her children are the most important thing to her and that she wants them to be proud of her. She tries to keep her private life away from the tabloids.

Interesting Facts

• Before acting, she was a successful pianist and won first prizes in solfège and piano.
• As a child she trained sprinting for a year at the Partizan stadium.
• She received her first television role only a few months after giving birth.
• Actress Nada Blam helped her prepare for the entrance exam at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts.
• She could not study in Moscow or Vienna because of circumstances in the country in the early 1990s.
• Together with her colleague Vojin Ćetković, she was named best acting couple at the Film Encounters in Niš.
• She has also dubbed characters from the series “Teletabisi” and “Štrumfovi.”

Awards and Recognition

• Two-time winner of the Annual Award of the Terazije Theatre.
• Two-time winner of the “Ona i on” award for best acting couple at the Film Encounters in Niš, together with Vojin Ćetković.

I found no source for these awards other than biographical sites that refer to the theater’s official pages, so the information can only be verified through those sources.

Legacy and Influence

Mina Lazarević is one of the actresses who have marked Serbian television and musical theater. The character of Čupka has remained in the collective memory of generations who grew up watching Siniša Pavić’s series, and her collaboration with the same writer through “Bela lađa” and “Junaci našeg doba” confirms a lasting relationship with the audience.

In the theater, she has shown that an actor can excel in both dramatic and musical roles. Her career in musicals is an inspiration to younger actresses who want to combine acting and singing.

In addition, as a voice actress she has entered the homes of the youngest viewers, and her public statements about personal hardships have prompted conversation about domestic violence and the struggle for health.

Biography – Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Mina Lazarević?

Mina Lazarević is a Serbian stage, television and film actress and singer from Belgrade. She is best known for her role as Čupka in the series “Porodično blago.”

When was Mina Lazarević born?

She was born on 10 July 1975 in Belgrade, in what was then Yugoslavia.

What role is Mina Lazarević best known for?

She is best known for the role of Biljana Čupka Gavrilović in the series “Porodično blago,” which aired from 1998 to 2002.

Where did Mina Lazarević study?

She graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade. Before that, she attended the “Stevan Mokranjac” music school and enrolled at the Academy of Music.

In which theater does Mina Lazarević perform?

She is a permanent member of the Terazije Theatre, and she has also performed at the Zvezdara Teatar, the “Slavija” Theatre, the Belgrade Drama Theatre and other stages.

How many children does Mina Lazarević have?

She has three children: her son Luka, her daughter Iva and her son Marko.

Does Mina Lazarević sing?

Yes. As a pianist and singer she has performed at festivals and concerts and has appeared in several musicals.

Which series has she appeared in recently?

In recent years she has appeared in the series “Junaci našeg doba,” “Igra sudbine” and “Od jutra do sutra.”

What awards has Mina Lazarević won?

According to available sources, she is a two-time winner of the Annual Award of the Terazije Theatre and of the “Ona i on” award at the Film Encounters in Niš.

Conclusion

Mina Lazarević is an actress whose path began at the piano and continued on theater and television stages. The role of Čupka in “Porodično blago” brought her great popularity, while musicals and dramatic roles at the Terazije Theatre showed the breadth of her talent. Despite difficult periods in her private life, she has remained active and present on the stage.