Rene Bitorajac

Rene Bitorajc is a Croatian actor whose career has spanned more than four decades, beginning in the early 1980s when he first appeared in local stage productions and television sketches. Born on 2 March 1972 in Zagreb, then part of SR Croatia in the former SFR Yugoslavia, he grew up amid a rapidly changing cultural landscape that would later inform his versatile performances. After formal training at the Academy of Dramatic Art, Bitorajc quickly became a recognizable face on Croatian television, gaining widespread popularity through his comedic timing in the sitcom Bitange i princeze (2005–2010) and the beloved medical comedy Naša mala klinika (2004–2007). His ability to oscillate between humor and drama earned him critical acclaim, culminating in his award‑winning turn as the sociopathic football hooligan Krpa in the 2009 cult film Metastases, which secured him a Golden Arena for Best Actor.

Beyond national borders, Bitorajc achieved international recognition when he starred in the Academy Award‑winning Bosnian war drama No Man's Land (2001), a film that highlighted his capacity to convey deep emotional nuance in complex, politically charged narratives. In 2012, his portrayal of Dr. Babić in Cannibal Vegetarian garnered another Golden Arena and brought him the prestigious Vladimir Nazor Award as well as the Paris Mediteraneo Gran Prix, cementing his status as one of Croatia’s leading contemporary thespian talents. In addition to live‑action roles, Bitorajc has become a prominent voice actor, lending his distinctive voice to characters such as Syndrome in The Incredibles, Buck in Home on the Range, Ham in Space Chimps, Gru in the Despicable Me franchise, and Red in The Angry Birds Movie and its sequel. His contributions to dubbing have helped bring global animated blockbusters to Croatian audiences, demonstrating his broad artistic range. Married to Ana Bitorajc, he continues to act, direct, and mentor emerging artists, remaining an influential figure in the regional entertainment industry.