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Eldar Aleksandrovich Ryazanov was born on November 18, 1927 in Samara, Russia. He graduated with honors from the Soviet State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) in 1950, as a film director. He was making documentaries for five years. In 1955 Ryazanov came to work at the Mosfilm Studios under the direction of Ivan Pyrev, who produced Ryazanov's first feature film 'Karnavalnaya Noch' (Carnival in Moscow, 1956). It was an instant box office hit starring Lyudmila Gurchenko and Igor Ilyinsky.

Ryazanov's early comedies 'Devushka bez adresa' (1957), 'Gusarskaya ballada' (1962), 'Dayte zhalobnuyu knigu' (1963) were popular in the time of the cultural "Thaw" which was initiated by Nikita Khrushchev. However Ryazanov's film 'Chelovek niotkuda' (1961) was banned by the Soviet censorship, regardless of the fine acting by Sergey Yurskiy and Anatoliy Papanov. 'Beregis avtomobilya' (Watch Out for the Automobile, 1966) is arguably the most popular of Ryazanov's comedies. In that film Ryazanov worked with the stellar cast, including such actors, as Innokenti Smoktunovsky , Oleg Yefremov, Anatoli Papanov, Georgi Zhzhyonov, Yevgeni Yevstigneyev, Andrei Mironov (I), Olga Aroseva, Donatas Banionis, and other Russian film stars. The music score for the film was written by the brilliant composer Andrey Petrov.

Ryazanov created his own style of lyrical comedy with a soft satire on the Soviet life. His 'Zigzag udachi', with Evgeniy Leonov in the leading role, was a nice fairy tale for the Soviet people. 'Stariki-razboyniki', starring Yuriy Nikulin, Evgeniy Evstigneev, and Andrey Mironov was a crime-parody. His extremely popular TV-movie 'Ironiya sidby, ili S lyogkim parom!' (Irony of Fate, 1975 TV) was a big hit of the 70's and later turned into a nostalgic cult. It is shown every New Year's Eve as a tradition in the former Soviet Union. Actors Andrey Myagkov, Yuriy Yakovlev, Barbara Brylska, and Aleksandr Shirvindt are working together as one acting ensemble. Two years later Ryazanov directed another hit, 'Sluzhebny roman' (1977), where Andrei Myagkov made a nice duet with 'Alisa Freindlikh'.

Eldar Ryazanov wrote and directed 'Garazh' (1979). Ryazanov delivers a dazzling array of Soviet characters and situations in this film, ranging from funny, bitter, and sarcastic, to greedy, manipulative, and scary stupid. In somewhat a departure from comedy, Ryazanov brings the theme of "Gulag" prison-camp in 'Vokzal dlya dvoikh' (1982). Still the film is full of Ryazanov's warm humor and also benefits from the performances of Lyudmila Gurchenko and Oleg Basilashvili. 'Ruthless Romance' (1984) is the Ryazanov's adaptation of the 19th century story by 'Aleksandr Ostrovsky'. His latest film is Andersen. Zhizn bez lyubvi (2006).

Steve Shagan was born on 25 October 1927 in New York City, New York, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for Save the Tiger (1973), Primal Fear (1996) and The Formula (1980). He died on 30 November 2015 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Minas Hatzisavvas was born on 28 January 1948 in Athens, Greece. He was an actor and writer, known for Worlds Apart (2015), U-Turn (1991) and I zoi enamisy hiliariko (1995). He died on 30 November 2015 in Athens, Greece.

Shigeru Mizuki was born on 8 March 1922 in Sakaiminato, Japan. He was a writer, known for The Great Yokai War (2005), Gegege no Kitaro (2018) and Gegege no Kitarô (1968). He was married to Nunoe Mura. He died on 30 November 2015 in Tokyo, Japan.

Nigel Buxton was born on 29 May 1924 in England, UK. He was an actor, known for Adam and Joe's Wonky World of Animation (2000), The Adam and Joe Show (1996) and 100 Greatest Funny Moments (2006). He was married to Valerie Birrell. He died on 30 November 2015.

Natacha Nohani was born on 14 September 1940 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She was an actress, known for Alta comedia (1965), María de nadie (1985) and Bianca (1980). She died on 30 November 2015 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Ulf Axén was born on 14 December 1932. He was a production designer and art director, known for Man on the Roof (1976), Ronia: The Robber's Daughter (1984) and The Assignment (1977). He died on 30 November 2015 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Yus Jambu was born on 15 March 1976 in Kangar, Perlis, Malaysia. He was an actor, known for Sepah: The Movie (2012), Abuya (2011) and Apa Celop Toqq... (2012). He died on 30 November 2015 in Hospital Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Astrid Lepa was born on 7 April 1924 in Keila, Estonia. She was an actress and director, known for Ukuaru (1973), Veter 'Nadezhdy' (1978) and Tuulevaikus (1971). She died on 30 November 2015 in Tallinn, Estonia.

Fatima Mernissi was born in 1940 in Fez, Morocco. She was a writer, known for Dreams of Trespass (2002), Rear Window (1990) and Blix från klar himmel (1992). She died on 30 November 2015 in Rabat, Morocco.

Janet Wolfe was born on 8 April 1914 in Manhattan, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for Not Another Tolkien Movie (2004) and P.O.V. (1988). She was married to Samuel Matlovsky. She died on 30 November 2015 in Manhattan, New York, USA.

Filoména Urbanicová was born on 13 December 1932 in Zohor, Czechoslovakia [now Slovakia]. Filoména was a production manager, known for Bus, Bus and Fúkaj, Silák, Jeleniar (1975). Filoména died on 30 November 2015 in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Larry Harvey was a successful Country Musician and was one of the first Canadians to sign with an American music label in the 1950s. He had many hits on the CHUM charts and sang in the Ryman Auditorium former home of the Grand Ole Opry in the documentary about his life story entitled Paper Promises (2010) directed by his son Shane Harvey.

Karel Semerád was born on 28 April 1937 in Blatná, Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic]. He was an actor and writer, known for Jemné umení obrany (1988), Roky prelomu (1989) and Pozáry a spáleniste (1981). He died on 30 November 2015 in Zlín, Czech Republic.

Pío Caro Baroja was born on 5 April 1928 in Madrid, Spain. He was a director and writer, known for El Greco en Toledo (1959), Navarra, las cuatro estaciones (1972) and Cuentos y leyendas (1968). He died on 30 November 2015 in Malaga, Spain.

Kwai-Hing Suen was born in 1932 in Hong Kong, British Crown Colony. He was an actor, known for Shaolin vs. Manchu (1984), Salt and Pepper (1983) and My Neighbours Are Phantoms! (1990). He died on 30 November 2015 in Hong Kong.

Dan Beaumont was born on 15 April 1925 in New York, New York, USA. He was a writer, known for For Those Who Think Young (1964), Matinee Theatre (1955) and The Jean Arthur Show (1966). He died on 30 November 2015 in Los Angeles, California, USA.