Known Actors

Oleg Tabakov was a renown Russian actor, director, and public figure, who played over 100 roles in film and on TV. He is best known for his roles as Count Nikita Rostov in War and Peace (1965) by Sergey Bondarchuk, and as Oblomov in the eponymous film by Nikita Mikhalkov.

He was born Oleg Pavlovich Tabakov on August 17, 1935, in Saratov, Russia, USSR. His father, Pavel Kondratevich Tabakov, and his mother, Maria Andreevna Berezovskaya, were medical doctors in Saratov. His parents separated during the Second World War, and young Tabakov was brought up by his single mother and grandmother. He attended the all-boys school in Saratov, and was active in the drama class. From 1950-1953 he studied acting at the Saratov House of Pioneers under the legendary acting coach Natalia Iosifivna Sukhostav.

In 1953, Tabakov moved to Moscow and entered the Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT) School of Acting. He attended the class of Vasili Toporkov, graduating in 1957 as an actor. He made his film debut as Sasha in Sasha vstupayet v zhizn (1957) by director Mikhail Shvejtser, in 1956. That same year he became the youngest of the six founding members of Sovremennik Theatre under the directorship of Oleg Efremov. From 1957 - 1983, he was member of Sovremennik. There he played leading roles in such productions as 'Goly Korol' (aka.. Naked King), 'Tri Zhelaniya' (aka.. Three Wishes), 'Obyknovennaya istoriya' (aka.. Ordinary story) and other contemporary Russian plays. From 1970 - 1976 Tabakov was General Manager of Sovremennik, he promoted Galina Volchek to Principal Director of the company.

Since 1970s Tabakov had been teaching young actors at his master-class. Many of his students became successful professionals on stage as well as in film industry. His teaching credentials included workshops and productions at the Paris Conservatoire, the British American Drama Academy, Akademie Der Künst in Hamburg, the Max Reinhardt Seminar in Vienna, Carnegie Mellon, The Juilliard School, New York University, Florida State University, The University of Delaware, and Harvard University.

In 1978 Tabakov and his students opened the "Tabakerka" Theatre in downtown Moscow. There Tabakov produced and directed several successful plays, such as 'Vesnoi ya vernus k tebe' (aka.. I'll be back in Spring), 'Proschay Maugli' (aka.. farewell to Maugli), and 'Belosnezhka i sem gnomov' (aka.. Snowhite and seven dwarfs). However, regardless of success with public and steady critical acclaim, the Soviet officials did not authorize Tabakov's new theatre, and his company dissolved by 1982. At that time Tabakov was depressed and transferred to MKhAT. There he played one of his best stage roles, Salieri, in the popular play 'Amadeus' under directorship of Oleg Efremov. Over the course of his acting career Tabakov appeared in about 150 roles, he also directed over 30 international stage productions.

During the 1990s, Oleg Tabakov was a strong supporter of democratic reforms and freedom in the new Russia. He made public speeches and was involved in many public events facilitating the cultural transformation of arts and theatres in Russia. Having himself experienced the Soviet control and suppression during his creative career, Tabakov became one of the leading proponents of cultural reforms in Russia. His efforts came to fruition in the revival of the Moscow Art Theatre under his leadership, as well as his participation in numerous cultural and political events in Russia. Over the course of his life and career, Oleg Tabakov rose to become one of the living symbols of artistic freedom in Russia. However, during the last years of life, Tabakov had shown public support of the ruling regime of Russia, supposedly out of the desire to help his students and the actors of his theatre.

Since 2000, after the death of his friend Oleg Efremov, Tabakov had been Artistic Director of Moscow Art Theatre named after A. Chekhov. He was also the Artistic Director of "Tabakerka" Theatre, and the leading actor in both companies. He was awarded the USSR State Prize for the Arts, the Russian State Prize for the Arts, and other national and international awards and decorations from Hungary, France, Poland, and the USSR. Oleg Tabakov was designated People's Actor of the USSR and Russia (1980s), and was decorated with the Order of Merit of Fatherland II degree, by the Russian president Vladimir Putin (2005).

Oleg Tabakov has been married twice. His first son, Anton Tabakov, is an actor and also a successful night-club owner in Moscow. Since 1996, Oleg Tabakov had been married to actress Marina Zudina and the couple had two children, son, Pavel (b. 1996), and daughter, Maria (b. 2006). Oleg Tabakov was hospitalized in the late November of 2017. His condition worsened gradually, ending in his death on 12th of March, 2018.

Founder and co-founder of Art Pictures Studio production company, general producer of NMG Studio company, Chairman of the Directors Board of Lenfilm Production Studio, founder of Industry Film and Television School. Directed two successful domestic war dramas: "The 9th Company" (2005) that was based on real-life battle during the Soviet-Afghan war became the first Russian film with $25 million box-office and was awarded by the National Academy of Cinema Arts; "Stalingrad" (2013) became one of the highest-grossing films in Russian history and gained over $67 million worldwide. Moreover, "Stalingrad" was the first Russian movie released in IMAX format. One of the latest Fedor Bondarchuk's projects, sci-fi blockbuster "Attraction" (also released in IMAX format), became one of the top grossing Russian films and earned over one billion rubles in Russia and CIS. Over 4 million viewers watched "Attraction" in cinema, the movie also became the leader on streaming services after its online release . The follow-up of this ambitious story, "Invasion", came out in theaters in January 2020 and grossed over 900 million rubles in cinemas (with more than 2 million audience). Another Fedor Bondarchuk's latest project was his first TV-series "Psycho" - a dramatic story about a modern psychotherapist. Russian NMG Studio and Renta Videostudio were producing.

Fedor Bondarchuk's Art Pictures Studio Production Company has been working on national and international markets over 25 years and is considered to be one of the leaders in Russian film industry. Art Pictures Studio production projects include such Russian box-office hits as "Ice" (directed by Oleg Trofim), "Heat" (directed by Rezo Gigineishvili), "Soulless " and "Soulless-2" (directed by Roman Prygunov) and many others. Films produced by APS have earned over $200 million in movie theaters and won over 50 Russian and International awards. More than 80 countries purchased the rights to distribute APS projects. The "Ice" sequel -"Ice 2" (directed by Zhora Kryzhovnikov) premiered February 2020 and grossed more than 1,5 billion rubles. Over 5 million people have seen "Ice 2" in cinemas. Art Pictures Studio's new movie - sci-fi thriller "Sputnik" where Fedor Bondarchuk played a colonel Semiradov (directed by Egor Abramenko) was also a huge hit. The project was viewed more than 1 million times after just one month of online-streaming in Russia. It also became Number 1 in American iTunes (the "Horror" category) right after its USA release. "Sputnik"'s Rotten Tomatoes score is almost 90% - it is the first time when a Russian project is rated this high. In September of 2021 APS released its first documentary "Bondarchuk.Battle" focusing on a figure of Academy Award-winning director Sergei Bondarchuk. Helming the project are journalists Anton Jelnov and Denis Kataev with Ilya Belov as a director. Fedor Bondarchuk was producing.

Fedor Bondarchuk is one of the founders and producers of Art Pictures Vision Company which specializes in TV production. Art Pictures Vision portfolio includes such popular TV projects as "The Year of Culture" (TNT channel), "90's. Funny and loud!", "Psychologirls" (STS channel). In 2019 APV projects premiered on Amazon Prime streaming service: sports drama "Junior League" (STS), spy thriller "Sleepers" (TV 1st channel) and a horror movie "The day after" became available for foreign subscribers. The latter also had a release in Japan - both on TV screens and online. Among current APV projects are road-movie type of comedy "Let's go!" (STS) and sports comedy "Lanky Girls" (STS), a detective period piece An Hour before the Dawn"(NTV and more tv), a story about a Russian moto sport team "Kamaz Master" - "KAMAZ. Extreme Racing" (Premiere), and a comedy " Parents Commitee" (STS).

In 2017 Fedor Bondarchuk and producers of "Vodorod" Production Company Mikhail Vrubel and Alexander Andryushchenko, joined by National Media Group, founded Industry Film and Television School. The mission of the School is to form a new generation of professionals in Russian film industry. At present Industry Film and Television School offers more than 20 various training programs from filmmaking and cinematography up to VFX production. Among the members of School's advisory board and training staff are professionals of Russian film and TV industries as well as successful and talented Russian filmmakers. In the three years of its existence School produced a lot of student's short films that later got into the programs of such significant film festivals as "Kinotavr", "Motion", "In one word" (Korotche), MIFF and many others.

Fedor Bondarchuk is also known as one of the most popular and sought-after actors of Russian cinema. He played more than 70 roles in movies and TV projects of various genres. Fyodor Bondarchuk is the two-time winner of the awards of Golden Eagle: for a leading n role in a movie "Two days" by Avdotya Smirnova (2012) and for a leading role in the famous comedy "Ghost" produced by Alexander Voitinsky (2015). He is also a well-known TV host. He's been hosting his own TV show "Cinema in Details" on STS channel since 2005. Fedor Bondarchuk repeatedly became the winner of the TEFI, Nika, Golden Eagle and Blockbuster awards and won a lot of other prizes.

Fedor Bondarchuk is the Chairman of Trustees Board of Open Russian Film Festival "Kinotavr", the member of "Nika" Russian Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences, the member of "Golden Eagle" National Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences of Russia. At the end of 2018 he was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky for his contribution in the development of national culture and arts. Also at the end of 2018, in accordance with the Decree by the President of Russia, Fedor Bondarchuk entered the Presidential Board of Culture and Arts. In 2019 he received the National Grand Prix "Media Manager of Russia".

Fedor Bondarchuk was born on May 9th, 1967 in Moscow, in the family of director Sergei Fedorovich Bondarchuk and actress Irina Konstantinovna Skobtseva. He graduated from the directing department of VGIK University (Yuri Ozerov's workshop) in 1992. He began his career in 1990 as a director of music videos with famous Russian musicians. In 1993 he debuted in cinema with a short film "I Love" featuring a star performance by the famous actress Lyudmila Gurchenko. A war drama "The 9th Company" (2005) based on real-life events during Soviet-Afgan war is his full-length major debut.

Aleksey Aleksandrovich Chadov was born on September 2, 1981, in Solntsevo, Moscow region, RSFSR, USSR, now a suburb of Moscow, Russia. He is the younger brother of actor Andrey Chadov. His father, Aleksandr Chadov, died in 1986, and both brothers were raised by their single mother. Their mother, Galina Petrovna Chadova, was an engineer turned accountant and teacher. She raised both brothers as best friends. The Chadov brothers look similar, but they are not twins, with sixteen months between them. They are good friends and are diligent colleagues in their respectful careers. They would often go together on casting calls, providing broader opportunities for directors.

Aleksey and his brother began acting at school, then continued as amateur actors at the municipal theater-studio in Peredelkino. His first acting teacher was Aleksey Kozhikhin. In 1992, at the age of 12, Aleksey was awarded for his stage performance and was sent to the Mediterranean resort of Antalia. During his school years he played a wide variety of characters in classical and contemporary plays. After graduating from school, he entered the Shchepkin Theatrical School in Moscow. There he studied acting in the class of Vladimir Seleznyov, and graduated as an actor in 2003. While a student, he made his film debut in a leading role in War (2002) ("War") by director Aleksey Balabanov. In 2002, Chadov received the Best Actor Award at the Montreal Film Festival.

Chadov is a Russian Orthodox Christian. He currently resides in Moscow, Russia.

Vera Kiperman (her maiden name is Galushka; better known under the pseudonym Vera Brezhneva, was born in the city of Dneprodzerzhinsk, Dnepropetrovsk Region, Ukrainian SSR, USSR) - Ukrainian pop singer, actress, TV presenter, former member of the VIA Gra pop group (2003-2007). UN Goodwill Ambassador for HIV / AIDS (UNAIDS Program).

Kristina Orbakaite was born in Moscow and spent much of her childhood between Sventoji, the home of her father's parents, and Moscow, the home of her mother's parents. After the couple divorced in 1973, she was brought to Moscow by her mother, Alla Pugachyova, and lived with her maternal grandparents.

At the age of 7, she debuted in the Soviet children's television program "Veseliye Notki" with the song "Solnyshko Smeetsa". In 1982, she was cast in the leading role of Lena Bessoltseva in Chuchelo (1984), a film by Rolan Bykov based on the Vladimir Zheleznikov play of the same name. Production began in 1982 and the film premiered in 1984. It became a critical success, not only in Russia but also overseas, and turned Orbakaite into a child star.

Alongside her acting, Orbakaite continued with her budding singing career. In 1983, she sang "A znayesh, vse yesche budet" (You know, it will all happen yet) in a duet with her mother. In 1985, she sang the song "Pust' Govoryat" in the popular TV program "Utrenyaya Pochta".

Now a young woman, Kristina appeared in the films Vivat, gardemariny! (1991), Gardemariny III (1992), Blagotvoritelnyy bal (1993), and Limita (1995). In 1992, she sang "Pogovorim" (We'll talk) at a holiday show sponsored by her mother. The song became a hit and launched Orbakaite as a pop star. In 1994, she released her debut album titled "Vernost".

Having met with success in film and music, Orbakaite tried her hand at the theater, appearing in 1995 as Helen Keller in an adaptation of Gibson's The Miracle Worker on the stage of the Moscow Artists' Theater. She subsequently received an award from the Russian Ministry of Culture for best female theatrical performance.

In 1996, Orbakaite joined her mother, Alla Pugachyova, her step-father, the singer Philipp Kirkorov, and her husband, the singer Vladimir Presnyakov on a family performance tour through the United States titled "Zvezdnoye Leto". During this tour, she performed for the first time at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Later the same year, Orbakaite released her second album, titled "Nol' Chasov, Nol' Minut".

In 1998, Orbakaite released her third solo album, "Ty". It included 12 new songs, 5 of which were suggested by Alla Pugachyova from compositions created for her, including "Muzikant", "Navsegda", "Pegiy Pes", "Smorodina", and "Ptitsy". She also appeared in the films Doroga, dorogoi, dorogaya... (1997) and Fara (1999).

In 2000, Orbakaite won at the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo as the best-selling Russian singer. Later that year, she released her fourth album, titled "May".

In 2002, she released her fifth album, "Ver v chudesa" and appeared in the television series Moskovskaya saga (2004). She again became Russia's best-selling singer and won the World Music Awards for the second time. In 2003, she released her sixth album, "Pereletnaya ptitsa" and in 2005, she released her seventh album, "My life". The same year, she won the MUZ-TV award in the category "Best female singer".

In 2006, Orbakaite appeared in the comedy Lyubov-Morkov (2007) together with Gosha Kutsenko. The film was a hit in Russia, bringing in a domestic box office of $11.5 million, and spawning two sequels, with the second film coming out in 2008 and the third in 2011. Amid filming the series, Orbakaite released her eight album, titled "Slyshish - eto ya" (Listen - it's me).

In 2011, Orbakaite celebrated her 40th birthday and, as part of celebrating the year, unveiled a new performance program and a new album, both titled "Potseluy na bis". Two years later, in April 2013, she released a new music video for her song "Maski" and began a tour of the Baltic countries. She also received the award of "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation" from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Chulpan Khamatova is an internationally acclaimed film and stage actress and well-known philanthropist who left Moscow following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and took permanent residency in Latvia.

She was born Chulpan Nailyevna Khamatova on October 1, 1975, in Kazan, Tatarstan Republic, Russia. She is an ethnic Tatar. Her name means "morning star" in Tatar language. Her mother, Marina Galimullovna Khamatova, was an engineer. Her father Nail Khamatov, was also an engineer and a managing director of a firm in Tatarstan, Russia.

Young Khamatova was a professionally trained figure skater. She suffered from a back trauma after a fall on ice; after that she quit figure skating, but continued roller-skating. She also had a gift for mathematics and studied at the prestigious School of Mathematics in Kazan. Then she studied for one semester at business school of Kazan University, but became bored and decided to change her career and entered the Kazan School of Theatre. From 1995-1998 Khamatova studied acting at the State Institute of Theatrical Arts (GITIS) in Moscow, and graduated from the class of Aleksei Borodin in 1998 as an actress.

Khamatova was a third year student at GITIS when she made her film debut in the role of Katya in Vadim Abdrashitov's film Vremya tantsora (1998). She won critical acclaim in Russia after playing a female lead in Country of the Deaf (1998). Soon she gained international attention after starring as Mamlakat opposite Moritz Bleibtreu in Luna Papa (1999) by director Bakhtyar Khudojnazarov, which became a "quiet masterpiece" in Germany as well as in Russia. Khamatova's effortless style shines in a variety of her film characters ranging from farcical Lara in Good Bye Lenin! (2003), to charming seductress Nelly in 72 metra (2004), to passionate and sophisticated Lara in Doctor Zhivago, a Russian TV-series based on the eponymous book by Boris Pasternak.

Chulpan Khamatova became one of the most celebrated young actresses of Russian theatre and cinema. She was designated Honorable artist of Russia. In 2004 Khamatova was awarded State Prize by Russian president Vladimir Putin for her achievements in acting. From 1998 to 2022, she was a permanent member of Sovremennik Theatre in Moscow under directorship of Galina Volchek and other directors. Her stage and film partners has been such actors as Sergey Shakurov, Dina Korzun, Valentin Gaft, Inna Churikova, Sergey Garmash, Marina Neyolova, Elena Yakovleva and other notable Russian actors. From 2008 to 2022, Khamatova collaborated with the Theatre of Nations in Moscow. From 1995 to 2002 Khamatova was married to her class-mate, a fellow actor Ivan Volkov, their daughter, named Arina, was born in 2002. She was in relationship with a Russian émigré, actor-dancer Aleksei Dubinin with whom she has daughter Alina, born in 2003. Her third daughter, Iya Shein, was born in 2010. Besides her native Russian and Tatar, Chulpan Khamatova is fluent in German and English.

In 2006, Khamatova was a member of the six-person jury at the 63rd Venice Film Festival headed by French actress Catherine Deneuve. Chulpan Khamatova has been one of the leading figures for charitable causes in Russia. Since 2005 Khamatova and her fellow Russian actors started a charitable initiative "Podari Zhizn" for the benefit of children suffering from leukemia.

In March 2022, Chulpan Khamatova with her three daughters left Russia and gave an interview saying that she has gone into exile in Latvia, because of Russian war in Ukraine. Khamatova bought a house and settled in a suburb of Riga, the capital city of Latvia. In March 2022, Chulpan Khamatova became a permanent member of the troupe at the New Riga Theatre upon invitation from Alvis Hermanis, artistic director of the company. She also made appearances on Latvian TV and made public speeches at anti-war protests in Riga, Latvia. Khamatova is learning Latvian, her three daughters are also adjusting to the new life in Europe.

Arturs Pupols-Kochanevskiy was born in 1962 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Black Lightning (2009), The Alien Girl (2010) and Zhizn i priklyucheniya Mishki Yaponchika (2011).

Armen Dzhigarkhanyan was awarded the Armenian Republican State Prize in 1975 for "Triangle" and again in 1979 for "Snow in Mourning." He was named People's Artist of the Soviet Union in 1985. Dzhigarkhanyan began his acting career in 1955 at the Russian Stanislavsky Theatre in Yerevan, and in 1967 moved to the Lenkom Theatre in Moscow. In 1969 he joined the Mayakovsky Academic Theatre. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, Dzhigarkhanyan worked as assistant cameraman at Armenfilm studios in 1953-1954.

He made his stage and screen debut in mid 1970's as schoolboy. In 1982-1984 Yefremov served in Soviet Army. In 1987 he graduated from the Moscow Art Theatre School.

Yefremov was married four times, has six children. His first wife was the editor Asya Vorobieva, their son Nikita Efremov is a Sovremennik Theatre actor. His second wife was the actress Evgeniya Dobrovolskaya, their son Nikolay Efremov is also an actor. His third wife was actress Kseniya Kachalina, they have a daughter Anna Mariya. His fourth wife is audio engineer Sofiya Kruglikova, they have daughters Vera and Nadezhda, and son Bori.

From 2009 on Yefremov presents Channel One show Zhdi Menya (1998), dedicated to search of long lost relatives and friends.

In 2010's he collaborated Dmitry Bykov over their project "Citizen Poet" (a pun on Nikolai Nekrasov's poem "Poet and Citizen"). Yefremov reads poems, written by Bykov, which are usually satirical comments on the contemporary Russian society, politics and culture. Each poem parodies the style of a famous poet of the past, e.g. Pushkin, Nekrasov, Kipling, among others. It was originally broadcast on Dozhd TV channel, but the original project was closed, because the poems were too critical towards Russian government. Currently, the show is hosted in audio format by Echo of Moscow radio station.

Leonid Yarmolnik was born on 22 January 1954 in Grodekovo, Grodekovskiy rayon, Primorskiy kray, RSFSR, USSR [now Pogranichnyy, Pogranichnyy rayon, Russia]. He is an actor and producer, known for Hard to Be a God (2013), Hipsters (2008) and Odessa (2019). He has been married to Oksana Yarmolnik since 1983. They have one child. He was previously married to Elena Valk.

Tatyana Dogileva was born on 27 February 1957 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. She is an actress and director, known for Doctor Lisa (2020), Afghan Breakdown (1992) and An Ordinary Woman (2018). She was previously married to Mikhail Mishin and Aleksandr.

Valentin Gaft was born on 2 September 1935 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor and producer, known for 12 (2007), Piry Valtasara, ili noch so Stalinym (1989) and Master i Margarita (2005). He was married to Olga Ostroumova, Inna Eliseeva and Elena Izorgina. He died on 12 December 2020 in Odintsovskiy rayon Moskovskaya oblast, Russia.

Aleksandr Ilin was born on 8 May 1952 in Sverdlovsk, RSFSR, USSR [now Yekaterinburg, Russia]. He is an actor, known for Russkiy bunt (2000), Delo o 'Myortvykh dushakh' (2005) and The Barber of Siberia (1998). He is married to Tatyana Maksakova. They have two children. He was previously married to Svetlana Ilina.

Sergey Lavygin was born on 27 July 1980 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR. He is an actor, known for Otel Eleon (2016), Wonderland (2016) and PatriotKINO (2014). He has been married to Mariya Lugovaya since 25 January 2020. They have one child.

Sergey Epishev was born on 2 July 1979 in Tashkent, Uzbek SSR, USSR [now Uzbekistan]. He is an actor, known for Ikariya and Ischeznuvshiy velosipedist.

Mikhail Tarabukin was born on 29 June 1981 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Russkie v Gorode Angelov (2003), Ne dumay pro belykh obezyan (2008) and Skhvatka (2024).

Viktor Viktorovich Khorinyak (born March 22, 1990) is a Russian actor. He is best known for his role as Konstantin Anisimov in the television series Kuchnya.

Khorinyak was born in the early 1990s in Minusinsk as a youngest of three children; He has an older brother and sister. An academically gifted young man, he considered the possibility of beginning a career in medicine, but he had eventually chose to become an actor instead.

Khorinyak eventually attended and graduated from the Moscow Theater Art School. During his four years at the school, he spent much of his day in the classroom, and would often work as a security guard at a restaurant.

Since 2007, Khorinyak has acted in a number of plays and movies.

Grigoriy Siyatvinda was born on 26 April 1970 in Tyumen, Tyumenskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Paragraf 78 (2007), Paragraf 78 - Film vtoroy (2007) and Trassa M8 (2008).

Oskar Kuchera was born on 11 August 1974 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Kod apokalipsisa (2007), Vsyo mogut koroli (2008) and Frantsuzskiy shpion (2013).

Ivars Kalnins was born on 1 August 1948 in Riga, Latvian SSR, USSR [now Latvia]. He is an actor, known for Fotografija ar sievieti un mezakuili (1987), Teatris (1978) and Nepabeigtas vakarinas (1979).

Evegeni Leonov was a Russian actor best known for leading roles in comedies, such as Kin-dza-dza! (1986) and Gentlemen of Fortune (1971).

He was born Evgeni Pavlovich Leonov on September 2, 1926, in Moscow, Russia, USSR (now Moscow, Russia). He was the second son in the family. His father, Pavel Vasilevich Leonov, was an aviation engineer, his mother, Anna Il'inichna was a homemaker. Young Evgeni Leonov had a dream of becoming a pilot like the famous aviator Valeri Chkalov. During the Second World War his school studies were interrupted by invasion of the Nazi Armies. Leonov became a metal-worker after he completed only seven years of secondary school. Leonov worked in the aviation industry and studied at Moscow Aviation Technical School, named after S. Ordzhonikidze. There he started amateur acting at students club.

One day in 1943, Leonov decided to become a professional actor. He borrowed a coat from his brother and went to the Moscow State Theatre Studio. There he took an entrance exam: he presented monologues from Anton Chekhov and Mikhail Zoshchenko to the State Commission of 25 professionals, including Andrei Goncharov and Rostislav Zakharov, the renown director from the Bolshoi Theater. After finishing the prepared monologues Leonov was asked to perform something else. "Something else is even worse", he replied. His words caused an explosion of laughter. The State Commission saw his great potential, and Leonov became a student at the drama class of the Moscow State Theatre Studio. There his teachers were Rostislav Zakharov and Andrei Goncharov. He continued his day job as an industrial worker, and studied acting at nights, graduating in 1947, as actor.

Leonov became a member of the Moscow Dzerzhinsky Borough Theatre, which was renamed the Stanislavsky Theatre in 1948. He had no serious roles for two years and struggled through working extras at the Mosfilm. In 1949 Leonov played his first cameo roles in 'Karandash na ldu' and 'Schastlivy reis'. His first big work in movies was the supporting role in 'Delo Rumyantseva' (1955). In the course of his film career Leonov played a dazzling variety of leading and supporting roles in more than 60 films. Leonov is best remembered for his roles in popular films from directors Vladimir Fetin, Leonid Gaidai, Mark Zakharov, and Georgiy Daneliya. He was twice awarded the State Prize of the USSR, was designated People's Actor of USSR (1978) and received numerous decorations for his film roles and for his stage works.

Evgeni Leonov was among the leading comedians in Russian cinema of the Soviet era. He was best known for his roles in such films as Striped Trip (1961), Gentlemen of Fortune (1971), Kin-dza-dza! (1986), Mimino (1977), and _Osenniy marafon (1979). Leonov also demonstrated remarkable range in dramas and period films, such as Belorussky Station (1971) and Tchaikovsky (1970). He was the voice of Vinnie the Pooh in the eponymous Russian cartoon. His happy face and a sincere smile was a guarantee for success of a film or a stage play. Leonov's stage career, spanning more than 50 years, really took off in 1954, with the role of Lariosik in 'Dni Turbinykh', a play by Mikhail A. Bulgakov. From 1974 - 1994 Leonov was a permanent member of the troupe at Moscow Lenkom Theatre under the directorship of Mark Zakharov. There his stage partners were such actors as Inna Churikova, Leonid Bronevoy, Oleg Yankovskiy, Aleksandr Abdulov, Nikolay Karachentsov, Aleksandr Zbruev, Aleksandra Zakharova, Tatyana Kravchenko, Aleksandr Lazarev, Dmitriy Pevtsov, and other notable Russian actors. Leonov gave a remarkable performance in the leading role as Tevye in 'Pominalnaya Molitva', an adaptation of Tevye the Milkman story by Sholom Aleichem, which was the last role of this great Russian actor.

Outside of his entertainment career, Evgeni Leonov was fond of fine art; he developed a passion for collecting Russian landscape paintings and graphics, as well as Russian period furniture and antiques. His home in Moscow looked like a museum of Russian art. He enjoyed treating his friends and guests to the highlights of his private collection. Leonov, a gourmet connoisseur, was famous for his remarkable hospitality and shared his passion with many friends and guests. He was married to Vanda Vladimirovna Stoilova, and the couple's son, Andrey Leonov, also became an actor. Evgeni Leonov died of a heart attack on January 29, 1994, in Moscow, and was laid to rest in the Novodevichy Convent Cemetery in Moscow, Russia.

Stanislav Lyubshin is a notable Russian actor best known for his leading role as Dyadya Vova in Soviet comedy Kin-dza-dza! (1986).

He was born Stanislav Andreevich Lyubshin on April 6, 1933, in the village of Vladykino, a suburb of Moscow, Russia, Soviet Union. His father, Andrei Lyubshin, was an agricultural engineer, his mother was a milkmaid. Young Lyubshin was fond of theatre, he was encouraged by his parents and joined the drama class at his school. From 1955-1959 he studied acting at Shchepkin School of Maly Theatre in Moscow, graduating in 1959 as an actor.

Lyubshin made his film debut in 1959, while a student, in There Will Be No Leave Today (1959), by directors Andrei Tarkovsky and Aleksandr Gordon. He shot to fame in the Soviet Union with the leading role as Weiss/Belov, a Russian spy in the Nazi Germany, in the popular film Shchit i mech (1968) by director Vladimir Basov. During the 1960s and 1970s, Lyubshin was among the most popular actors of the Soviet cinema.

From 1959 - 1964 Lyubshin was member of the troupe at "Sovremennik" Theatre in Moscow. There he was stage partner of Oleg Tabakov, Oleg Yefremov, Evgeniy Evstigneev, Galina Volchek, Viktor Sergachev, Oleg Tabakov, Oleg Dal, Igor Kvasha, Valentin Gaft, and other notable actors. From 1964 - 1967 he was member of the Taganka Theatre company in Moscow. There his stage partners were such renown actors as Vladimir Vysotskiy, Valeriy Zolotukhin, Leonid Filatov, Alla Demidova, Venyamin Smekhov Ivan Bortnik, Zhanna Bolotova, Natalya Sayko, Nikolay Gubenko, and others.

Since 1981 Lyubshin has been permanent member with the Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT named after A. Chekhov). There his stage partners were such renown Russian actors as Mark Prudkin, Angelina Stepanova, Anastasiya Georgievskaya, Vasili Toporkov, Mikhail Bolduman, Pavel Massalsky, and the next generation of MKhAT actors - Oleg Tabakov, Kira Golovko, Iya Savvina, Alla Pokrovskaya, Anastasiya Voznesenskaya, Irina Miroshnichenko, Andrey Myagkov, Vladimir Kashpur, Viktor Sergachyov, Vyacheslav Nevinnyy, Evgeniy Kindinov, Sergey Sazontev, Avangard Leontev, Igor Vasilev, Elena Panova, Darya Moroz, Olga Litvinova, Natalya Rogozhkina, Ekaterina Semyonova, Olga Yakovleva, Igor Vernik, Mikhail Porechenkov, Konstantin Khabensky, Valeriy Troshin, Mikhail Trukhin, Valeri Khlevinsky, and others. His best known stage appearances included his roles in the classic plays by Anton Chekhov, such as 'Vishnevy sad' (aka..The Cherry Orchard), 'Tri Sestry' (aka.. The Three Sisters) and 'Ivanov', among other plays.

Stanislav Lyubshin was designated People's Actor of Russia, and was decorated with the Order of Service to Fatherland. He is living and working in Moscow, Russia.

Yuri Yakovlev is a popular Russian actor best known for his roles in Soviet comedies 'Ironiya sydby', Ivan Vasilevich', and Kin-dza-dza! (1986).

He was born Yuri Vasilevich Yakovlev on April 25, 1928, in Moscow, Soviet Union. His father, Vasili Vasilevich Yakovlev, was a layer, and his mother, Olga Mikhailovna Ivanova, was a homemaker. Young Yakovlev was fond of acting and theatre. From 1948 - 1952 he studied acting at Shchukin Theatrical School of Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow.

Since 1952 Yuri Yakovlev has been member of the troupe at Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow. There his stage partners were such actors as Mikhail Ulyanov, Ruben Simonov, Boris Zakhava, Mikhail Astangov, Varvara Popova, Irina Kupchenko, Natalya Tenyakova, Yuliya Borisova, Lyudmila Maksakova, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya, Marianna Vertinskaya, Nina Ruslanova, Nikolai Plotnikov, Vasiliy Lanovoy, Vladimir Etush, Vyacheslav Shalevich, Andrei Abrikosov, Grigori Abrikosov, Boris Babochkin, Nikolai Gritsenko, Nikolai Timofeyev, Aleksandr Grave, Evgeniy Karelskikh, Sergey Makovetskiy, and Ruben Simonov, among others. His most memorable stage performances were such roles as Triletsky in 'Play without a title', a play by Anton Chekhov (1968), as Karenin in 'Anna Karenina' (1983) by director Roman Viktyuk, and the title role in 'Kasanova' (1985). Since taking the role as Pantalone in 1963, Yakovlev has been delivering acclaimed performances in the legendary Vakhtangov's production of Carlo Gozzi's comedy 'Princess Turandot'.

He shot to fame with the leading role as Prince Myshkin in _The Idiot (1958)_ by director Ivan Pyrev. During the 1960s - 1980s Yakovlev was among the most popular actors in the Soviet Union. He was best known for such roles as Ivan Vasilyevich Bunsha in Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession (1973) by director Leonid Gaidai, and as Ippolit in The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath! (1976) by director Eldar Ryazanov.

Yuri Yakovlev was designated People's Actor of the USSR, was awarded the State Prizes of the USSR and Russia. He received the Order of Lenin (1988), the Order of the Red Banne of Labour (1978), and numerous awards and decorations for his works on stage and in film. He is married to Irina Leonidovna Sergeeva, and the couple has two sons and a daughter. Outside of his acting profession Yakovlev is fond of reading classical Russian literature and listening to classical music together with his friends and family.

In 1997 Yakovlev published his book titled 'Albom sudby moyey' (aka.. The album of my destiny). He is living with his family in Moscow, Russia.

Liya Akhedzhakova is a little gem of Soviet cinema. She was a show-stealer in such a comedy classic as The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath! (1976) in a part with no words at all. Her ability to create a larger than life heroes is almost unbelievable. Every second line of her Verochka from Office Romance (1977) became a catch-phrase.

Although most directors explore her comic abilities, she's a strongest tragic actress. Liya proved it in Twenty Days Without War (1977). She created there an unforgettable image of great complicity, although her only episode lasts less than five minutes and her heroine doesn't have a name and is credited as "Woman with watch."

Her best part to date is a farcial but tragical character of Fima from The Promised Heaven (1991). She's been working for many years in one of the most famous Moscow theatres, Sovremennik.

Born July 12, 1963 in Moscow in the family of theatrical figure Yuri Domogarov. As a child, the future actor studied music, in parallel with the general education he studied at a music school. In 1984 he graduated from the Schepkin Theater School (course leader - Viktor Ivanovich Korshunov). From 1984 to 1985 he served at the Maly Theater in Moscow. From 1985 to 1995 - an actor at the Central Academic Theater of the Soviet Army (since 1993 - the Central Academic Theater of the Russian Army) . Since 1995 he has been an actor at the Mossovet State Academic Theater. He played on this stage Marat in the play "My Poor Marat", Cyrano in the play "Cyrano DEA Bergerac ", Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in the musical play "The Strange Story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (Russian version of the Broadway musical "Jekyll and Hyde") where he performed complex vocal parts. He also took part in productions of other theaters: the title roles in the performances "Nijinsky, the Crazy God Clown" at the Moscow Drama Theater on Malaya Bronnaya and "Macbeth" at the Bogatella Theater in Krakow, Poland. As a guest artist in 2019-2020 he worked at the Gorky Moscow Art Theater. He engaged in the trilogy of Andrei Konchalovsky, plays Astrov in the play "Uncle Vanya", Vershinin in the play "Three Sisters" and Gaev in the play "The Cherry Orchard". On September 13, 2020, the premiere of the play "Richard III" directed by Nina Chusova, where Alexander Domogarov played the legendary title role. He has starred in more than 20 films and TV series in Russia and Europe. He has been acting in films since 1984, making his debut in the film "Inheritance" directed by Georgy Natanson. He became famous for the role of Pavel Gorin in the historical adventure film "Midshipmen III"(1992) by Svetlana Druzhinina. In 1996, he landed the part of a noble, handsome Count Bussy D'Ambois in the popular Russian TV series, Grafinya de Monsoro (1997), based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas. The part brought him all-Russian fame. The detective-adventure series franchises "Turetsky's March" (2000-2007) and "Gangster Petersburg" (2000-2007) are no less successful. A historical epic, With Fire and Sword (1999) filmed by a cult Polish director Jerzy Hoffman where Alexander portrays a dashing Cossack chieftain Bohun, won him international acclaim. In Poland, the actor also starred in the television series "Crime Wave" (2003-2008) and "Blood from the blood" (2012-2015), in the films "One June Night", directed by Andrzej Wajda, and The Battle of Warsaw. 1920" (2011) directed by Jerzy Hoffmann , and in Sweden - in the film" The Diver" (2001) directed by Eric Gustavson.