Ndrek Shkjezi was born on April 4, 1922. he was the founder of Albanian theater and an actor on stage and screen.

After completing primary school, he began playing the guitar and singing in a small orchestra. Later, he performed small roles in non-professional theater groups. He left Shkodra immediately after the end of the war, and in 1945, along with artists Naim Frashëri, Kadri Roshi, and Mihal Popi. He founded the State Theater, later renamed the People’s Theater (now the National Theater).

In theater, he played around 100 roles, in works such as “Montains’ Girl” by Loni Papa, “Deputy,” “Second Face,” “Halili and Hajria” by Kolë Jakova, “Hamlet” by Shakespeare, “General of the dead army” by Piro Mani, “Gjido,” and others.

In cinema, he played in over 30 multiple roles. His first role was as a Jacobin in the film “Scanderbeg,” which was also the first film of the Albanian Film Studio “New Albania,” in collaboration with the Russian Film Studio “Mosfilm.” He continued with roles in films such as “Debatik”  in 1961, “Old wounds” (Llambi) in 1969, “War Mornings” (Et’hem Beu) in 1971, “General of the Dead Army” (former officer) and “Life in snowy forests” (Alalaman Uka) in 1978, in the film “Radiostation” (the wealthy man) in 1978, in the film “Our Friend Tili” (the geography teacher) in 1981, in the film “The Hobby” (the Institute of Arts guard), in the TV film “When foundations were laid” (Zeneli), and in the film “Blerta’s Engagement” (the volleyball player’s father) in 1984, in 1986 in the films “And one day comes” (gatekeeper Nikolla) and “When the doors of life open” (Gjin Kryebardhi), in 1990 in the film “A Boy and a Girl” (the General – Artan’s grandfather) and “White Sheets” (Kristina’s uncle), and others.

He passed away in 2000. For his artistic merits, Ndrek Shkjezi was honored with the “Naim Frashëri” Order and in 1989 with the title “Distinguished Artist”.

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