Narrator – Goran Visnjic

Goran Visnjic, the Croatian-born actor has received critical acclaim and commercial success in theatre, television and on the silver screen. Best known for his role as Dr. Luka Kovac in the hit television series “ER,” Visnjic continues to tackle some of Hollywood’s most challenging roles, making him one of the most sought after actors today.   During it’s 15-year season, Visnjic and his fellow actors on “E.R.” have been nominated and won various Emmy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, SAG Awards, BAFTA Awards and People’s Choice Awards among others. Visnjic began his career starring in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” at the internationally acclaimed Dubrovnik Summer Theatre Festival in Croatia. His performance as Hamlet earned him the coveted Orlando Awards (the equivalent of the Tony Award).  Visnjic currently resides in Los Angeles.

Narrator – Bill Kurtis

Bill Kurtis, born William Horton Kuretich, is a second generation Croatian-American with roots near Zagreb.   His father changed their last name after his family moved to the United States.  Kurtis has carved out an amazing broadcast journalist career since the 1970’s when he anchored WBBM’s newscast with Walter Jacobson and when he anchored the “CBS Morning News” from New York.   In 1990, he founded Kurtis Productions and since then has produced several award-winning television series and documentaries.  Bill attributes his work ethic to his grandfather Mijo, who was a farmer in Croatia.  In 1999, Kurtis was the official emcee for a banquet celebrating the opening of the first Consulate of the Republic of Croatia in Chicago.   Kurtis is currently the evening news anchor on WBBM/CBS 2 Chicago.

Executive Producer/Director -- Marija Dugandzic-Pasic

Maria is a Chicago-based author and producer.  Her 15-year career as a senior producer for CNN, ABC and Fox has earned her a Peabody and DuPont Award, including several Emmy nominations.   Maria was born in Chicago to Croatian parents - and grew up in the Croatian community.   In 2010, she wrote “Croatians of Chicagoland” which prompted her to bring the print stories to life in the documentary "They Never Walked Alone".    The film aired exclusively on Chicago's WTTW and later on Milwaukee Public Television and Wisconsin Public Television.  

In 2012, she co-authored the book "St. Jerome's, a Chicago Story" and later produced a map which highlights  For more about the history of Croatians in Chicagoland, visit www.croatiansofchicagoland.com

Editor – Brian Davis

Brian is senior video editor and producer who has created content for Harpo Productions, TMZ, ABC Disney, the Big Ten Network and Comcast Sportsnet Chicago over the past decade.  Brian’s Italian grandparents settled in the city’s South Side - as a result - he has a great appreciation for the immigrant story.