- Born
- Died
- Height1.68 m
- A leading actress of theatre, film and TV in the former Yugoslavia, Mira Furlan emigrated to the U.S. with her husband, Goran Gajic, in November 1991, due to the intolerable political circumstances in her homeland. Ms. Furlan starred in the Warner Brothers TV series Babylon 5 (1993) as "Ambassador Delenn" (Sci-Fi Universe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Genre TV-series 1996 and 1997).
Her other American credits included the TV movie My Antonia (1995) directed by Joseph Sargent, the title roles in "Sophocles Antigone" at the Hudson Guild Theatre in Los Angeles (Dramalogue Theatre Award for Outstanding Performance in 1995) and Lorca's "Yerma" at The Indiana Repertory Theatre. She also appeared in Brecht's "Baal" at The Second Stage in Los Angeles and Shaw's "Don Juan In Hell" in which she co-starred with Edward Asner and Rene Auberjonois. Ms. Furlan was a member of The Actor's Studio.
Ms. Furlan's film credits include leading roles in over 25 films. She co-starred in Emir Kusturica's Cannes award-winning and Oscar-nominated film When Father Was Away On Business (2000). Films include: Three For Happiness, (Grand Prix, Valencia Film Festival), Beauty Of Vice, In The Jaws Of Life, The Loves Of Blanka Kolak, and Dear Video. In addition, Ms Furlan has appeared regularly on Yugoslav television, playing leading roles in numerous series and TV films. She received all the highest awards in her former country, both for her stage and film work, including two Golden Arenas (Yugoslav Oscars) for Best Actress.
In the former Yugoslavia, Furlan was a member of the Croatian National Theatre and a frequent guest star at major theatres in the whole country. Her favorite roles include: 'Natalya' in "A Month In The Country", 'Mrs. Elliot' in "Alpha-Beta", 'Celimene' in "The Misanthrope", 'Judith' in "The Devil's Disciple", 'Annabella' in "Tis Pity She's A Whore", the title role in Euripides' "Helen", 'Lea' in "Dybbuk", 'Isabelle' in Corneille's "L'Illusion Comique", 'Yvette' in "Mother Courage", 'Natasha' in "Three Sisters" and 'Ophelia' in Jiri Menzel's production of "Hamlet".- IMDb mini biography by: vlivius@hotmail.com
- SpouseGoran Gajic(? - January 20, 2021) (her death, 1 child)
- ChildrenMarko Lav Gajic
- ParentsIvan Furlan
- While filming the Babylon 5 episode Atonement, had such a severe reaction to the dry ice being used that her stand-in had to be employed for several shots in which Delenn was then shot from behind.
- Because of the prosthetic makeup she wore on her upper brow while playing "Delenn" on Babylon 5 (1993), she cannot have her picture taken using flash photography, because her eyes tear up.
- She occasionally wrote a column for Croatian magazine Feral Tribune.
- 1997 - Sci-Fi Universe Readers Choice Awards, for best supporting actress in a genre television series, telefilm or miniseries - for the role of "Delenn" on Babylon 5.
- Described as Yugoslavia's answer to Meryl Streep.
- Babylon 5 is definitely not a fantasy. It is a show that constantly refers to sociological, political, and psychological facts of our present life, and it is that which makes it so valuable, I think.
- Ambassador Delenn is an extraordinary character. She combines so many different traits. She's tough, but vulnerable... She's strong, but feminine... She's a pacifist, but can be militaristic... She has depth and spirituality, but can be funny and light at times... So yes, I think she's a great role model - not only for women - but for everyone.
- In those moments when I entered the stage, trembling with stage fright and excitement, under those spotlights, I felt that I'd found the one thing that I wanted to do in my life. Nothing could match that flow of adrenaline.
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