Juraj Dević

Croatian pre-WW2 actor working in Split and Zagreb (b. November 24, 1869 in Split — d. April 11, 1930 in Zagreb). Dević began his theatrical career in 1891 as member of a traveling troupe. In 1893, he joined the ensemble of the Croatian National Theater (Zagreb) while it performed in Split. For several decades, he played mostly minor roles in dramatic plays, operas, operettas, and at first even ballet. As a cabaret performer, however, he gained great popularity, writing and publishing numerous comic sketches and plays. He also translated several opera and operetta librettos into Croatian. After retiring from the stage in 1927, Dević served as Art Director ("umjetnički ravnatelj") with the Edison Bell Penkala Ltd. Zagreb company (1927-1930). In his position, he recorded and preserved several cabaret acts that would otherwise have been lost.