Text size

Mel Gibson honors ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Bulgarian star Christo Jivkov after his death at 48

published on 4/6/23 2:12 PM

Hristo Zhivkov, 48, died April 1 2023.

Photo: Facebook/unionofactorsbg

Mel Gibson has expressed his condolences for Hristo Zhivkov, one of the stars of Gibson's 2004 hit film "The Passion of the Christ".

Hristo Zhivkov, 48, died April 1 in Los Angeles after a long battle with cancer.

“My dear friend Christo has lost his heroic battle with cancer. Right to the last moment he was filled with hope and his spirit was strong,” Gibson said. “I'll miss him but I know his suffering is over and he has eternal bliss. God keep him," the actor wrote in a statement.

Jivkov starred as John the Apostle in Gibson’s epic "The Passion of the Christ," alongside Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ and Italian star Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene.

Gibson, who produced, directed and co-wrote the film, has kept in touch with the Bulgarian for 19 years and the two have not lost hope that there will be a sequel.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria Culture condolences Hristo Zhivkov Mel Gibson The Passion of the Christ

More from category

Bulgarian director Andrey Hadjivasilev leads film workshop in Havana

To mark the 65th anniversary of the Cuban animation studio Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematográficos (ICAIC), Bulgarian director Andrey Hadjivasilev conducted a film workshop with students in Havana, the Bulgarian Embassy in Havana..

published on 11/11/25 4:50 PM

Remembering basso Nicolai Ghiaurov

On this day five years ago (in 2020), a memorial plaque dedicated to the world-renowned Bulgarian bass Nicolai Ghiaurov (1929–2004) was unveiled in Modena. It was in this Italian city that the celebrated opera singer lived and worked from 1981 until his..

published on 11/11/25 8:05 AM

A documentary about the composer and intellectual Dimitar Nenov is to be screened in New York

To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the birth of Bulgarian intellectual Dimitar Nenov, a screening of the music documentary Dimitar Nenov and the Dimensions of Elegance will take place on 11 November at the Consulate General of Bulgaria in New York,..

published on 11/10/25 3:21 PM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Overcast, rain
Min: 8 | Max: 11

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

Which world-famous Bulgarian artist designed QSL cards for Radio Bulgaria?

Share

Mel Gibson honors ‘The Passion of the Christ’ Bulgarian star Christo Jivkov after his death at 48

More from category

Bulgarian director Andrey Hadjivasilev leads film workshop in Havana

Remembering basso Nicolai Ghiaurov

A documentary about the composer and intellectual Dimitar Nenov is to be screened in New York

A documentary about the composer and intellectual Dimitar Nenov is to be screened in New York

An exhibition in Riga marks the 140th anniversary of the Unification of the Principality of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia

Bulgarian director Andrey Hadjivasilev leads film workshop in Havana