Naum Shopov(1931-2012)

Naum Hristov Shopov is a popular Bulgarian theatre and film actor. His career starts on the stage of the Army Theatre, where he plays for more than three decades before moving to the National Theatre. He was presented to two "Askeer" awards. Among his unforgettable films are "The Penleve Case", directed by Gueorgui Stoyanov, "Villa Zone", directed by Eduard Sachariev, "Warm", directed by Vladimir Yanchev, "The Inspector and the Night", directed by Rangel Vulchanov. He was presented to "Icarus" Award for Overall Contribution. Naum Shopov went down in history for his roles as King Lear and Tsar Boris III. Shopov's debut in cinema was in Hristo Piskov's ''Poor Man's Street'' but it was not until Vulo Radev's ''The Peach Thief'' that his cinematic talent was fully recognized. Radev's next film, ''Tsar and General'', for the first time portrayed Bulgarian Tsar Boris III (r. 1918-1943) as sympathetic and human, trying to do what is best for his beloved homeland. Naum Shopov was cast as Tsar Boris III. In the movie a prominent Bulgarian general (Peter Slabakov) faces execution when King Boris III (Naum Shopov) decides to side with Russia in this World War II drama. Naum Shopov performed in more than thirty films since 1960. On the theatrical stage Shopov will be remembered best for his memorable appearance in King Lear, Hamlet, Socrates, Don Basilio, Crap. Naum Shopov famously said once that he likes only difficult parts. "If I don't suffer, if I don't undergo something with a character, he somehow doesn't stay with me. "