Vasillaq Vangjeli, actor, passed away in Tirana. He was born in Peshkopi, in 1948. After finishing his higher studies at the High Institute of Arts, he started working as an actor in the Tirana variety show (“estrada”) in 1976. He worked as a director in this theater from 1976 to 1982. He played over 300 roles in short comedies, skits, monologues and stood out especially in the couplet and parody genre. He stood out for a pleasant voice, musical skills on the accordion instrument, qualities that have helped him to have a more active acting presence in the graceful interpretation of many parodies or couplets. He has also performed over 15 roles in feature films and telefilms. He made his name early with the role of the speculator sculptor, Koçi, in Ruzhdi Pulaha’s comedy “Zonja nga qyteti“ (“Madam from the city”) (1976), as well as in the corresponding film with the same title where he appeared in a grotesque manner and openly mocked the eccentric and foolish-looking type, supposedly the great artist, the comedic and unsuitable suitor to marry Meli, Ollga’s daughter. In the years 1992-1993, he created one of the most impressive figures, that of the commander, in the comedy and then the three-series telefilm “Gjuetia e fundit“ (“The last hunt”), written and directed by Koço Devole. His anger towards the figure of the communist dictator, Enver Hoxha, was believable, even though it was presented in a grotesque way, as well as thanks to a sarcastic attitude of a defiant and mocking nature. On a sarcastic level, he embodied several other hit roles, played on the pop stage or in telefilms, such as: the investigator in “Revolja e heroit” (“The hero’s revolver”) (1995), the doctor in “Çanta e zezë” (“The black bag”)(1996), etc. It was decorated with the “Naim Frashëri” order of Class I. (In the photo: Vasillaq Vangjeli)
Text: Josif Papagjoni
Graphic processing: AHCF
