Miljenko Smoje was born in a poor family of labourers. He finished high school in Split in 1941, but his education was interrupted by WW2 and Italian occupation. Smoje joined resistance movement and somehow managed to survive both the arrest by Italians and being kicked out of Communist party. After the war he finished college and worked few years as a teacher. In 1948 he joined regional newspaper "Slobodna Dalmacija" and worked there as reporter until his retirement in 1979. Through the years Smoje discovered great sense of humour, as well as a talent to capture unorthodox characters. Soon he became writing humouristic pieces and thus became one of the most popular writers of that genre in former Yugoslavia. His television debut was _Nase malo misto (1970) (TV)_, series about small Dalmatian town and its picturesque inhabitants. Series was great success and still has a cult status in Croatia. After some minor works for movies and TV, Smoje tried to repeat that success with _"Velo misto" (1981) (mini)_, tragicomic historical chronicle about his home town of Split. The series was also success, but most people still prefer his former masterpiece. Last years of his life Smoje spent working as satirical columnist for controversial weekly newspaper "Feral Tribune".

See photos of celebrities before they hit the big-time.

Miljenko Smoje

Writer