Raised by a single mother, Zupančič finished high school in her hometown of Jesenice. Her first major appearances were two roles in films by Matjaž Klopčič, in Blossoms in Autumn (Cvetje v jeseni; 1973) and The Widowhood of Karolina Žašler (1976).
She went on to star in a number of important film and television productions over the next four decades, winning two Golden Arena for Best Actress awards (in 1976 and 1977) and the Prešeren Award for Lifetime Achievement (1993). She is also known for starring in many theatre productions staged by the Ljubljana National Drama Theatre.
From 2000 to 2011 she was UNICEF regional ambassador for the Western Balkans. Zupančič is married to theatre director Dušan Jovanović, and was previously married to actor Radko Polič.
Filmography
Actress
2015
The Disapearance of Emma Lausch (Short) (completed) as
Emma's Mother
2023
Inhumanum: The Inhumanity of Man (TV Mini Series)
2022
Podrucje bez signala (TV Mini Series) as
Alisa
- Lipsa (2022) - Alisa
- Branos (2022) - Alisa
- Janda (2022) - Alisa
- Seila (2022) - Alisa
- Nikola (2022) - Alisa
2021
Primeri inspektorja Vrenka (TV Series) as
Angela Korenika
- Retrospektiva 2. del (2021) - Angela Korenika
- Retrospektiva 1. del (2021) - Angela Korenika
2018
Precednik (TV Series) as
Bozena
- S1, Ep1 (2018) - Bozena
2015
Last Wish (Short) as
Mother Silva
2013
Going Our Way 2 as
prijateljica Zaspancevega dedka
2013
Panika as
Mama
2012
Good to Go as
Melita
2012
Bozicna vecerja (TV Movie) as
Mama
2010
Some Other Stories as
Sestra Ana (segment "Slovenska zgodba")
2008
Brat Bratu (TV Series) as
Ga. Bogatic
- Obcutek za steklo (2008) - Ga. Bogatic
2007
1/2 (Short) as
Klara
2006
Warchild as
Munira
2005
Ohcet (Short)
2004
Hotel poldruga zvezdica (TV Series) as
Natalija Vraber Kus
- Za eno noc slave (2004) - Natalija Vraber Kus
2004
Na planincah
2002
Pesnikov portret z dvojnikom (as Milena Zupanèiè)
2002
Na svoji Vesni as
Marjeta Turnograjska
1996
Felix as
Uciteljica Jasna
1991
Pripovedke iz medenega cvetlicnjaka (TV Mini Series)