Skënder Sallaku, a humor actor and People’s Artist, was born in Tirana. He graduated from the “Vojo Kushi” Institute of Physical Culture but became well-known for his unique talent in the field of humor and began his professional acting career at the Tirana Estrada in 1956. He has performed over 1,000 diverse roles on stage, showcasing a rich gallery of characters. Some of his most notable roles were featured in the films “Estrada në ekran” (1968) and “Kur hiqen maskat” (1975). He also appeared in several well-known comedies, including “Borgjezi fisnik” by Molière (as Zhurdeni), in the adaptation of Cervantes’ novel “Don Kishoti” (as Sanço Pança), and in the film comedies “Gjuetia e fundit” (1992), “Revolja e humbur” (1994), “Oreksi i madh” (1996), among others. He was distinguished for his developed facial expressions, especially in his eyes; he possessed an agile physicality reminiscent of an acrobat and even performed as an acrobat and circus clown. He completed a year-long specialization in China (1960–1961). With his characteristic way of speaking and mastery of comic roles, Skënder Sallaku became one of the beloved actors in Albanian humor. He was also a national champion in wrestling in the 57 kg category (1959, 1960). He passed away in Tirana in 2014. (In the photo: Skënder Sallaku)
Text: Albanian Encyclopedic Dictionary – Vol. 3, Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2009, page 2295.
Photo: © Albanian Telegraphic Agency
Graphic processing: AHCF
