Mira Furlan

Early Life

Mira Furlan was born on September 7, 1955, in Zagreb, Croatia, into an intellectual family with a rich academic background. Her mother, Branka Weil, was of Jewish-Serbian descent, while her father, Ivan Furlan, was of Slovene-Croat descent. Growing up, Furlan developed a passion for American rock and roll music and became interested in acting during her teenage years. She graduated from the Academy for Dramatic Arts in Zagreb with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre, while also mastering English, German, and French.

Career

Furlan's career began in the Croatian National Theatre, where she became a prominent figure in Yugoslav television and film. She gained international recognition for her role as Ankica Vidmar in the award-winning film "When Father Was Away on Business," which won the Palme d'Or at the 1985 Cannes Film Festival. In the early 1990s, she moved to New York City to escape the turmoil in Yugoslavia, joining the Actors Studio and performing in various theater productions. Furlan is perhaps best known for her roles as Minbari Ambassador Delenn in the science fiction series "Babylon 5" and as Danielle Rousseau in "Lost."

In addition to her acting career, Furlan also pursued music, briefly performing as a singer for the band Le Cinema and contributing to the album "Nevino srce" by Buldožer. In 1998, she released her own album, "Songs From Movies That Have Never Been Made."

Personal Life

Furlan was married to director Goran Gajić, with whom she collaborated on several projects, including an episode of "Babylon 5." The couple faced significant challenges during the Croatian War of Independence, leading them to emigrate to New York City in 1991. They welcomed their only child, Marko Lav, in 1998. Furlan was also active in the Yugoslav feminist movement during the 1980s, advocating for women's rights and artistic freedom. She passed away on January 20, 2021, leaving behind a legacy of artistic achievement and resilience.