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

Colombia-based Bulgarian Doris Dukova presents her book “The Dark Side of Success” in the capital of Ecuador

Bulgarian Doris Dukova, who lives in Colombia, is presenting her book “The Dark Side of Success” today in the capital of Ecuador – Quito, the Bulgarian-Colombian Foundation Alianza announced to BTA. “The presentation of my book in Quito is..

published on 8/25/25 5:52 PM

World opera stars to perform in Bulgaria's capital Sofia

On August 28 and 29, St. Alexander Nevsky Square in Sofia will once again serve as an open-air concert venue. Bulgarian opera diva Sonya Yoncheva aims to make the two-day festival "Gala in Sofia" an annual tradition—a bridge between generations,..

published on 8/25/25 11:53 AM

Veliko Tarnovo and Gabrovo apply together for European Capital of Culture in 2032

"The residents of Veliko Tarnovo and Gabrovo deserve to be the winning candidate for the next European Capital of Culture in Bulgaria, in 2032," announced the mayor of Veliko Tarnovo, Daniel Panov. The idea for the joint candidacy was at the insistence..

published on 8/24/25 6:35 AM

WEATHER

Pick city: Sofía

Clear
Min: 11 | Max: 28

BULGARIA IN PICTURES

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

Exhibition of Bulgarian-Turkish artists builds cultural bridge from Sofia to Istanbul

The exhibition “Sofia - Istanbul: Bridge of Art” will be presented from December 4 to January 3, 2026, at the gallery of the Union of Bulgarian Artists in..

published on 9/16/25 2:13 PM

Share