Boris Dvornik Biography: Wife, Movies, Awards, Religion, Alcoholism, Age, Ethnicity, Net Worth, Death

Boris Dvornik was a Croatian actor whose talent and charisma made him one of the most celebrated figures in Yugoslav and Croatian cinema.

Rising to prominence with his performance in The Ninth Circle (1960), he became an enduring icon through decades of film, theatre, and television work.

His portrayal of Roko Prč in the beloved TV series Naše malo misto (Our Small Town) remains a cornerstone of regional television history.

Profile

• Full name: Boris Dvornik
• Date of birth: April 16, 1939
• Age: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Split, Kingdom of Yugoslavia (now Croatia)
• Nationality: Croatian
• Profession: Actor
• Height: 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
• Weight: 80 kg (176 lbs)
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Brown
• Parents: Father – Ante Dvornik (carpenter); mother – Marija Dvornik (homemaker)
• Siblings: One younger brother
• Spouse: Diana Tomić (m. 1962)
• Children: Dean Dvornik (son), Dino Dvornik (son, musician)
• Relationship status: Married (1962–2008)
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Ethnicity: Croatian
• Net worth (at time of death): $1 million – $5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Boris Dvornik was born on April 16, 1939, in Split, a historic city on the Dalmatian coast to Ante Dvornik and Marija Dvornik. His father worked as a carpenter, and Boris showed an early interest in theatre, performing in children’s plays from a young age.

Initially trained as an electrician, Dvornik’s passion for acting led him to study at the Academy of Dramatic Art at the University of Zagreb, after earlier training in Novi Sad. His formal education in drama and his early experience in theatre laid the foundation for an expansive and distinguished acting career.

Personal Life

In 1962, Boris Dvornik married Diana Tomić, and the couple had two sons — Dean and Dino Dvornik. Dino later became a celebrated Croatian funk musician and television personality.

Dvornik’s later years were marked by personal and health challenges, including a stroke in 2004 and battles with alcohol dependency. Despite these struggles, he remained deeply loved by the public for his warmth and humor.

He lived most of his life in his native Split, maintaining a strong connection to his community and the Croatian National Theatre where he performed for decades. Dvornik remained married to Diana until his death in 2008.

Career

Boris Dvornik began his film career in 1960 with The Ninth Circle (Deveti krug), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

His breakout role as Ivo, a young man forced into a marriage to protect a Jewish girl during World War II, brought him instant acclaim.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Dvornik became one of the most prolific actors in Yugoslav cinema, appearing in both dramas and comedies. His performances in Martin in the Clouds (1961), Man Is Not a Bird (1965), The Battle of Neretva (1969), and The Bridge (1969) showcased his remarkable range.

His role as Roko Prč in the beloved TV series Naše malo misto (1970–1971) cemented his status as a household name. The series became one of the most popular shows in Yugoslav history.

In addition to film and television, Dvornik had an extensive theatre career, performing for the Croatian National Theatre in Split for decades. He also directed several stage productions and was known for mentoring younger actors.

In 1992, he briefly entered politics, being elected as a member of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in the national parliament. However, he resigned after one month, preferring to return to acting.

His last television role was in the Croatian TV series Ponos Ratkajevih (2008), aired shortly before his death, marking the end of nearly five decades of artistic contribution (1960–2008).

Awards and Nominations

• Golden Arena Award for Best Actor (1963) – for Martin u oblacima (Martin in the Clouds)
• Golden Arena Award for Best Actor (1969) – for The Bridge
• Vladimir Nazor Award for Lifetime Achievement (1990) – one of Croatia’s highest cultural honors
• Croatian Actor Award for Lifetime Achievement (1997)
• Order of Danica Hrvatska with the image of Marko Marulić (2004) – for contributions to culture and art

Net Worth

At the time of his death in 2008, Boris Dvornik’s net worth was estimated between $1 million and $5 million USD, accumulated from acting, theatre work, royalties, and television appearances.

Death

Boris Dvornik passed away on March 24, 2008, in Split, Croatia, at the age of 68. He was laid to rest at Lovrinac Cemetery in Split. His death was widely mourned across the Balkans, with national television stations dedicating tributes and retrospectives to his career. He remains remembered as “the people’s actor” — a performer who reflected both the humor and heart of the region.

Controversy

In his later years, Dvornik’s personal struggles occasionally overshadowed his professional accomplishments. He suffered from alcoholism and health complications following a stroke in 2004. In 2005, a brief altercation during a local election in Split made national news, but he publicly apologized shortly after.

Social Media

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Filmography

• The Ninth Circle (1960)
• Martin in the Clouds (1961)
• The Battle of Neretva (1969)
• The Bridge (1969)
• Naše malo misto (1970–1971, TV series)
• The Battle of Sutjeska (1973)
• Occupation in 26 Pictures (1978)
• Servantes iz Malog Mista (1982)
• Transatlantic (1998)
• The Last Will (2001)
• Long Dark Night (2004)
• Ponos Ratkajevih (2008, TV series)