“Every one of my roles was performed joyfully; as soon as I step onto the stage, the magic creates itself and from me. Always anew!”, she once said.

Born in Zagreb in 1944, Jasna Malec had her first engagement at the Marin Držić Theatre in Dubrovnik, and in 1977 she became a member of the drama ensemble of the Split theatre. From her early roles such as Mare in Stulli’s Kata Kapuralica, the old hysterical landlady in Kamov’s Tragedija mozgova, Dunjaša in The Cherry Orchard, Onka in Václav Havel’s The Increased Difficulty of Concentration, and Nana in Mrożek’s The Tailor and the Barbarians… she created performances that made Jasna Malec Utrobičić an indispensable part of the brilliant acting ensemble of Split’s HNK through the 70s, 80s, 90s… until her retirement in 2010. She worked with the best Croatian directors who came to Split during those years, from her professors Georgij Paro and Božidar Violić, Dr. Vlatko Perković, to guest directors such as François-Michel Pesenti.

On the big screen, Jasna Malec Utrobičić shone early with her unforgettable role as Mlinarićka in Ante Babaja’s cult film The Birch Tree (Breza, 1967), while her last film role was in Zoran Sudar’s The Last Will (Posljednja volja, 2001). Her role as Dragica Odak in the popular TV series Ruža vjetrova (2011–2013) brought her into the spotlight with a wider audience.

Born into an artistic family, it seemed that theatre was destined for Jasna Malec Utrobičić. Alongside her many acting creations, her love for the stage, her vivid interest in plays even when she was not performing, and her unconditional support for her colleagues are what we will remember with love and gratitude.

Rest in peace, dear Jasna.
Our sincere condolences to the family.