Ljubiša Samardžić, a renowned Serbian actor and director, was born in 1936 and passed away in 2017, with some referring to him affectionately as Smoki or Smoki Samardi. He is arguably most famous for his iconic portrayal of Šurda in the beloved Yugoslav television series 'Vruć Vetar'.
Born into a family of coal miners, Samardžić's exceptional acting talent was recognized at a young age, earning him a prestigious scholarship under the guidance of respected director Bojan Stupica. After completing his education at the esteemed Belgrade Drama Arts Academy, he secured a role in the 1961 production of Igre na skelama.
In addition to his illustrious acting career, Samardžić held a significant position as a member of the Central Committee of the Yugoslav Communist Party during the late 1980s.