Former Yugo’s mega film star Bata Zivojinovic dies at 82

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In this photo taken March 1, 2008, Velimir Bata Zivojinovic, former Yugoslavia\'s best known film star who was also popular in China arrives for a media event flanked by model dressed in Yugoslav partizan military uniforms. Zivojinovic died late on Sunday, May 22, 2016, in a Belgrade hospital. His most famous movie, "Walter Defends Sarajevo," made Zivojinovic a star in China. (AP Photo/Andrej Cukic)

BELGRADE, Serbia – Serbian state television says Velimir Bata Zivojinovic, former Yugoslavia’s best known film star who was also popular in China, has died. He was 82.

State TV said Monday that Zivojinovic died late on Sunday in a Belgrade hospital. He was suffering from several chronic conditions and recently had a leg amputated.

The news of Zivojinovic’s death has resonated in other former Yugoslav republics that are now independent states.

Zivojinovic is said to have played the biggest number of film roles in the ex-federation, mostly partisan fighters against German Nazi occupation during World War II.

His most famous movie, “Walter Defends Sarajevo,” made Zivojinovic a star in China.

Zivojinovic ran for Serbian president in 2002 but was eliminated in the first round, winning just 3.3 per cent of the votes.

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