Kiril Pop Hristov, known as Kili. Photo: Macedonian National Theatre.
Tributes have poured in folr the actor Kiril Pop Hristov, nicknamed “Kili”, who died on Wednesday after suffering a heart attack in his sleep in his home in Ecuador, where he had lived since 2014, his family has confirmed.
News of his death aged 58 quickly spread across North Macedonia, prompting tributes from fellow actors, directors and fans who remembered him as one of the most distinctive and charismatic figures on the country’s theatre, film and TV scene.
Born in Skopje in 1967, Pop Hristov graduated from the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Skopje in 1989. During the 1990s, coinciding with the first decade of Macedonian independence after the break-up of former Yugoslavia, he quickly became a staple figure on the home stage.
His vigorous and emotionally charged performances allowed him to move effortlessly between genres. He was equally convincing in comedic roles, where his sharp timing and charisma drew laughter from audiences, and in portrayals of eccentric or deeply troubled characters, which he imbued with striking intensity and psychological depth.
During his years on the stage of the Macedonian National Theatre, he appeared in numerous productions, including The Inspector General, Liberation of Skopje, Troilus and Cressida and The Marriage of Figaro, among others, portraying a wide range of characters.
The Macedonian National Theatre on Thursday in its “In Memoriam” wrote that Kiril Pop Hristov left a “significant mark on Macedonian culture”.
Wider audiences, including those in other Balkan states, remember his striking roles in several notable films, including Bal-Can-Can, Tetoviranje [Tattooing] and Pankot ne e mrtov, [Punk’s Not Dead] as well as other television and film projects that helped cement his reputation as a versatile performer.
His strong stage presence and talent for music also made him one of the most recognisable and beloved showmen in the country.
Known for his expressive personality and boundless energy, he was as memorable off-stage as he was on it. Colleagues often noted his warmth, humour and lively bohemian spirit.
In 2013, a high-profile legal case involving Kili drew major domestic attention, after he was accused of cultivating a small marijuana plantation. He admitted it, but claimed it was only to produce medicinal oil for the cancer he had been diagnosed with.
Kili and his family moved to Equador in 2014 soon after the legal proceedings ended, saying he wanted to live somewhere where he could continue using the plant that he claimed gave him his life back, without fear of police raids.
Although he visited North Macedonia frequently, his move to Ecuador significantly reduced his appearances on stage and in film.