Mihajlo Kostić - Pljaka | Origin of Street Names

Mihajlo Kostić - Pljaka (1933 - 2001) was a Serbian and Yugoslav actor, best known for his memorable supporting film roles and his performances in numerous iconic plays in Belgrade theaters. He is also known as the father of popular actor Vuk Kostić.

He was born in Prokuplje into a family of craftsmen. His interest in acting emerged in early childhood as his father, a shoemaker, also dabbled in amateur acting. Moreover, Nestor Kostić was one of the founders of the local theater in Prokuplje.

The early death of his mother and the turmoil of World War II, which led his father into captivity, made Pljaka's childhood very difficult. After the war, as a young boy, he came to Belgrade, where he attended the Nautical School. This sparked another interest that would accompany him throughout his life - navigation.

However, intrigued by acting since an early age, at the age of 22, he decided to enroll in the Academy of Dramatic Arts in the same class as the great Bata Stojković. Talented, charming, and with distinctive features, Pljaka became a permanent member of the ensemble at the newly established Yugoslav Drama Theatre during his studies.

He appeared in dozens of television and theater productions, with notable roles in plays such as "Dirty Hands," "When Pumpkins Blossomed," "A Flea in Her Ear," "Hair," and "General Milan Nedić." On the silver screen, he made a lasting impression in "Kozara," "Return of the Ugly Men," TV series like "Vuk Karadžić" and "Sivi Dom," as well as one of the first "black wave" (banned) films - "The City."

A striking charmer, Mihajlo Kostić - Pljaka was nicknamed the "Yugoslav James Dean" in public. In his late forties, he got married and had two sons, one of whom, Vuk, is also a successful and popular actor today. The Kostić family thus became one of the few with an acting tradition spanning three generations.

During the 1990s, Mihajlo Kostić also had several notable guest roles in hit series such as "Happy People" and "Up-Down" - which would turn out to be his perhaps final appearances on the small screen.

He spent the last two years of his life battling leukemia, which ultimately led to his passing at the age of 68. He was laid to rest in the Alley of Distinguished Citizens at the New Cemetery in Belgrade.

In honor of the renowned actor, one street in Kraljevo and even two streets in Belgrade (in Zemun and Zvezdara) bear his name.