Zoran Rankić, famous for his role as Mr. Popara in the beloved TV series “Happy People,” left the acting world in a way that shocked many. Despite leaving an indelible mark on domestic television, his private life remained largely unknown to the public. He died at the age of 84 after a long and difficult illness in a retirement home in Belgrade, surrounded by loneliness and silence. His farewell to acting was unusual and tragic – instead of a grand farewell, Rankić chose to jump out of the window of his office at the Belgrade Drama Theatre, leaving a message on the window saying “Long live freedom.” This act was his protest against the oblivion and injustice he felt after not receiving any major roles following the series “Happy People.”
His death went almost unnoticed, and only about thirty people attended his funeral at the Novo Bežanijsko cemetery, including just two fellow actors. Although he was visited by friends until his last days, Zoran Rankić died bitter and forgotten, casting a dark shadow on the state of domestic culture and the treatment of artists.
His friend Zvezdana Stanković, author of a monograph about Rankić, revealed that he was in excellent mental condition just a month before his death when he suffered a stroke. His sister, who had long been his support, passed away a month after him. Rankić spent his last days writing books and dedicating himself to theater but ultimately was left alone, without the deserved attention and respect.
This story is a bitter warning about how society treats its artists – with admiration when they are at the peak of fame, and with oblivion and indifference when they step away from the stage. Zoran Rankić is not just an actor from a series but a symbol of injustice and loneliness that can befall even those once loved and respected. If this story touched your heart or made you angry, maybe it’s time to think about how we treat our heroes while they are still with us. And if you have a similar story or opinion, feel free to drop a comment – let the voices of those who don’t want such tragedies to repeat be heard.
