Pjeter Gjoka

Pjetër Gjoka was an Albanian film and theatre actor and director, who was born in Ulcinj in 1912. He started his theatre activity with the amateur groups in Shkodër in 1929. In 1947 he started to work as a full-time actor in the National Theatre of Albania after his debut in the Army Theatre. His first role was in Molière's Tartuffe. He acted in around 90 roles during his career and he was active for around 52 years, acting even when he was almost completely blind. Some of his most acclaimed roles were those of Kharitonov, Shpend Gjeta, The Old Man, MacDonald, Miller, Zabeliku, Klaudi, King Lear, Gjini and Ali Pasha of Gucia. In 1961 he was one of the first four actors who was given the title of People's Artist of Albania. He also acted in some artistic movies, creating very strong characters. His last role in the National Theatre of Albania was in the drama, Time before the Trial. Along with his work as a stage actor he was also a movie actor, a director and a translator.