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Christo Jivkov

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Christo Jivkov
Христо Живков
Born(1975-02-18)18 February 1975
Sofia, Bulgaria
Died31 March 2023(2023-03-31) (aged 48)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • filmmaker
Years active2001–2019

Christo Jivkov[a] (Bulgarian: Христо Живков; 18 February 1975 – 31 March 2023) was a Bulgarian actor. He first gained recognition for portraying Giovanni delle Bande Nere in the period drama The Profession of Arms (2001), and later became better known for his leading role as St. John in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004).

Jivkov also appeared in numerous Italian films and television shows, including The Good War (2002), Eyes of Crystal (2004), The Inquiry (2006), The Lark Farm (2007), David's Birthday, Barbarossa (both 2009), The Invisible Boy (2014) and Lucania (2019).

Life and career

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Jivkov was born 18 February 1975 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Shortly after graduating from the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts where he majored in film directing, he was cast in the role of Giovanni de Medici in Ermanno Olmi's 2001 film The Profession of Arms, which won nine awards at the 2002 David di Donatello Awards, including Best Film. In 2003, Jivkov starred in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ alongside Jim Caviezel and Monica Bellucci. The film achieved success at the box office, grossing $612 million worldwide.[2]

Jivkov was the co-founder of the Bulgarian production company Red Carpet Films.[3]

Jivkov died from lung cancer on 31 March 2023, at the age of 48, in Los Angeles. Tributes were paid by his friends and colleagues Mel Gibson, Maria Grazia Cucinotta and Dessy Tenekedjieva, among others.[4][5]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2001 The Profession of Arms Giovanni de Medici
2002 The Good War Gartner's son
2004 The Passion of the Christ St. John
Eyes of Crystal Detective Di Fusco
2006 The Inquiry Stephen
2007 The Lark Farm Sarkis
2009 David's Birthday Leonard
Barbarossa Gherardo Negro
2014 The Invisible Boy Andreij
2019 Lucania Christo

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 I ragazzi del muretto Student Episode: A scuola d'amore
2016 VIP Brother Himself Season 8

As filmmaker

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  • Druids (2001), assistant director
  • The Profit (2001), assistant director
  • Julius Caesar (2003), assistant director
  • Tears of the Motherland (2007), associate producer
  • Holy Light (2010), producer
  • Black & White in Color (2012), associate producer
  • Alienation (2013), executive producer

Notes

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  1. ^ His name is also sometimes transliterated as Hristo Zhivkov.[1]

References

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  1. ^ "Mel Gibson honors 'The Passion of the Christ' Bulgarian star Christo Jivkov after his death at 48". Bulgarian National Radio. 6 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  2. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (1 April 2023). "Christo Jivkov Dies: 'The Passion Of The Christ' Star Was 48". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. ^ Gawley, Paige (3 April 2023). "Christo Jivkov, 'The Passion of the Christ' Star, Dead at 48". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (3 April 2023). "Mel Gibson Remembers The Passion Of The Christ Star Christo Jivkov". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  5. ^ VanHoose, Benjamin (3 April 2023). "'Passion of the Christ' Actor Christo Jivkov Dead at 48 from Cancer". People. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
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