Rikard Ljarja (; 1 April 1943 – 20 April 2020) was an Albanian actor, screenwriter, director and writer. He starred in over 25 feature films and directed 11, and is most known for his role as Deda in ("White Roads") (1974).
Life and career He was born in Shkodër on 1 April 1943, in Italian-occupied Albania. In 1960, he completed secondary education in Jordan Misja High School in his hometown. After completing his tertiary education at the "Aleksandër Moisiu" High School for Actors (now part of University of Arts, Tirana) in 1965, he became part of the "Migjeni" Theatre in Shkodër for the following 8 years. From 1973 to 1996 he worked full-time as an actor, screenwriter and director for the nationalized Kinostudio Shqipëria e Re (now National Center of Cinematography) and its successor Albafilm-Tirana (1992–1996). After retiring in 1996 he worked as artistic director in RTSH until 2002.
He also wrote books, publishing works such as A Godforsaken Place Around Here (2014), Josifopedia (2018), 9 të shkurtra (2019) (English: 9 Short Ones), Prill (2020) (English: April).
Ljarja died on 20 April 2020 after a long battle with cancer.
Filmography YearTitleRoleActordirectorscreenWriter Notes 1966 Dritan Shkaba 1967Duel i heshtur Skënderi Perlati 1968 Naimi 1971 Komisari 1972 Xhandari Kujtimi 1974 Inxhinier Iliri Rrema Deda 1975Rrugicat që kërkonin diell Gaqo Tipografi I deleguari i qarkut 1976 Tosti 1977 Fasatar 1978 Luka 1979 Komandanti 1980 Andrea 1981 Short film 1983 1984 Short film 1985 Xha Teli Short film Andrea 1986 1987 Mjeku 1988 Vasili 1990 Shoku Emir 1996 2006 2009Zumbotron! Short film
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