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- The preeminent Russian actor, at least in Western eyes, of the first half of the twentieth century. He became interested in the theatre as a teenager and joined the Teatr Mariinskij as a stagehand in 1918. He apprenticed with various traveling companies and therein learned ballet, pantomime, and acrobatics. He studied at the St. Petersburg (Leningrad) Theater Institute and made his stage debut in 1926. The following year, he entered films and his commanding presence soon brought him leading roles and enormous acclaim, as well as the approbation of the Soviet leadership, which elected him a deputy of the Supreme Soviet. His greatest fame world-wide came with his work in the films of Sergei Eisenstein. Following the masterpieces _Aleksandr Nevsky (1938)_ and _Ivan Groznyj I (1945)_ he was named to the Order of Lenin and made People's Artist of the USSR, respectively. He died in 1966. He should not be confused with the actor Nikolay P. Cherkasov who starred in many Russian films.
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Pavel Kadochnikov was born on 29 July 1915 in Petrograd, Russian Empire [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He was an actor and director, known for Secret Agent (1947), Povest o nastoyashchem cheloveke (1948) and A Big Family (1954). He was married to Rozaliya Kotovich. He died on 2 May 1988 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Nikita Mikhaylovsky was born on 8 April 1964. He was an actor, known for Love and Lies (1981), Vyyti zamuzh za kapitana (1986) and Zontik dlya novobrachnykh (1986). He died on 24 April 1991 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Director
- Writer
- Producer
Grigori Mikhailovich Kozintsev was born on March 22, 1905, in Kiev, Russian Empire (now Kiev, Ukraine). His father, named Mikhail Kozintsev, was a medical doctor. Young Kozintsev studied at the Kiev Gymnazium. There, in 1919, he organized experimental theatre "Arlekin" together with his fellow students Sergei Yutkevich and Aleksei Kapler. During 1919 and 1920 Kozintsev studied art at the Kiev School of Art under the tutelage of Alexandra Exter.
Experiments. In 1920 Kozintsev moved to Petrograd (Leningrad or St. Petersburg). There he studied art at the "VKHUTEMAS" at the Academy of Fine Arts for two years. In 1921 Kozintsev with Sergei Yutkevich, Leonid Trauberg, and Leonid Kryzhitsky organized and led the Factory of Excentric Actors (FEKS). There Kozintsev directed radically avant-garde staging of plays "Zhenitba" (Marriage 1922) by Nikolay Gogol and "Vneshtorg na Eifelevoi Bashne" (Foreign trade on Eiffel Tower 1923). They were based in the former Eliseev Mansion on Gagarinskaya street No. 1 in St. Petersburg. Kozintsev and FEKS collaborated with writer Yuri Tynyanov, cinematographer Andrey Moskvin, young actor-director Sergey Gerasimov, artist Igor Vuskovich, and young composer Dmitri Shostakovich among others. Initially FEKS was the main platform for experimental actors, directors and artists, and was strongly influenced by Vsevolod Meyerhold and Vladimir Mayakovsky.
Artistic position. In 1924 Kozintsev and Trauberg came to "SevZapKino" Studios (now Lenfilm Studios). There Kozintsev continued his FEKS experiments in his first eccentric comedy 'Pokhozhdenie Oktyabriny' (1924). Kozintsev's early films were strongly criticized by official Soviet critics. His film 'Shinel' (1926) was compared to German Expressionism and accused of distortion of the original classic story by Nikolay Gogol. Kozintsev strongly argued against such comparisons with German expressionism; he was unhappy until the end of his life about such criticism of his early experimental works. Kozintsev insisted that his cheerful experiments were essential in the city of Petrograd (St. Petersburg) after the Russian Revolution of 1917, which brought destruction, depression, crime, and degradation of culture.
Early films. Kozintsev made twelve films together with Leonid Trauberg. Their collaboration began in 1921, in Petrograd (St. Petersburg). Their film-trilogy about Russian revolutionary hero Maxim was made from 1935-1941, when people in the Soviet Russia were terrorized under the most brutal dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. In departure from experimental youthfulness and freedom of their FEKS years, the Maxim trilogy was a trade-off blend of experiment and Soviet propaganda. It was still a powerful work and was even banned by censorship in the United States from the 1930s-1950s. For that work Kozintsev and Trauberg were awarded the Stalin's State Prize in 1941. After the Second World War Kozintsev and Trauberg made their last film together: 'Prostye Lyudi (Plain People 1946), which was censored and remained unreleased until 1958, when "Nikita Khrushchev' lifted the ban imposed by Stalin's censorship.
Highlights. Grigori Kozintsev ascended to his best works after the death of Stalin. Then Nikita Khrushchev initiated the "Thaw" which played a role in some liberation of individual creativity in the Soviet film industry. Kozintsev's adaptations of classical literature combined some experimental elements of his earlier silent films with the approach of a mature master. His Don Quixote (1957), King Lear (1969) and especially Hamlet (1963) were recognized worldwide as his highest achievements. In _Korol Lir (1969)_ Kozintsev made a brilliant decision to cast actors from the Baltic States as the Lear's family. Jüri Järvet, Regimantas Adomaitis, Donatas Banionis, Juozas Budraitis, and Elza Radzina together with Oleg Dal, Galina Volchek, Aleksey Petrenko made a powerful acting ensemble.
Hamlet and King Lear. Kozintsev first staged Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and 'King Lear" in 1941. His collaboration with Boris Pasternak began in 1940, when Pasternak was working on his Russian translation of the Shakespeare's originals. Both plays were prepared for stage under direction of Kozintsev. King Lear was staged in 1941, but further work was interrupted because of the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Hamlet was staged in 1954. At the same time Kozintsev continued developing the idea of filming _Gamlet (1964)_, until everything came together in his legendary film. The adaptation by Boris Pasternak, the music by Dmitri Shostakovich, the direction by Kozintsev, and the acting talent of Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy produced special creative synergy. Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy was praised as the best Hamlet by Sir Laurence Olivier.
Legacy. In the 1920s Kozintsev taught at the Leningrad School of Acting. From 1944-1964 Kozintsev led his master-class for film directors at the Soviet State Film Institute (VGIK). Among his students were many prominent Russian directors and actors such as Sergey Gerasimov and others. Kozintsev was the head of master-class for film directors at Lenfilm Studios from 1964-1971. He wrote essays on William Shakespeare, Sergei Eisenstein, Charles Chaplin, and Vsevolod Meyerhold and published theoretical works on film direction. Grigori Kozintsev lived near Lenfilm Stidios in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) for the most part of his life. His work and presence was essential to the status of Lenfilm Studios as well as to the film community in Leningrad during the political and economic domination of Moscow as the Soviet capital. From his early works of the 1920s to his masterpiece _Gamlet (1964)_, Kozintsev was faithful to creative experimental approach.
Kozintsev was designated the People's Artist of the USSR. He was awarded the State Lenin's Prize of the USSR (1965), and received other awards and nominations. He died in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) on May 11, 1973, and was laid to rest in the Necropolis of the Masters of Art in St. Aleksandr Nevsky Convent in St. Petersburg, Russia.- Actor
- Make-Up Department
- Director
Vladimir Gajdarov was born on 25 July 1893 in Poltava, Russian Empire [now Ukraine]. He was an actor and director, known for The Victors and the Vanquished (1949), Helen of Troy (1924) and Michel Strogoff (1926). He was married to Olga Gzovskaya. He died on 17 December 1976 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Vladimir Osipchuk was born on 17 August 1960 in Kharkov, Ukrainian SSR, USSR. He was an actor, known for Kazhdyy desyatyy (1984), Chelyuskintsy (1985) and Zaliv schastya (1987). He died on 31 October 1990 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR.
- Yuri Kamornyj was born on 8 August 1944 in Alapayevsk, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor, known for 20-e dekabrya (1982), 'Poseidon' speshit na pomoshch (1978) and Sergeyev ishchet Sergeyeva (1974). He died on 27 November 1981 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Director
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Fridrikh Ermler was born on 13 May 1898 in Rechitsa, Vitebsk Governorate, Russian Empire [now Rezekne, Latvia]. He was a director and writer, known for The Great Force (1951), Great Citizen (1938) and The Turning Point (1945). He died on 12 July 1967 in Leningrad, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Sergey Filippov was born on 24 June 1912 in Saratov, Saratov uyezd, Saratov Governorate, Russian Empire [now Saratov Oblast, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Twelve Chairs (1971), Carnival Night (1956) and Dvenadtsataya noch (1955). He died on 19 April 1990 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Aleksey Smirnov is a Soviet theater and film actor.
In 1940 he graduated from the theater studio at the Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy and was accepted into the troupe of the same theater. In 1946, he was accepted into the troupe of the Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy. In the early 1950s, he had several notable roles in the repertoire of the Musical Comedy Theater. By the end of the 1950s, he became famous among filmmakers. In 1961, when he became an actor in the Lenfilm film studio, two films with his participation were released on the screens of the country. All-Union fame for the actor brought the role in the films of Leonid Gayday. In all these films, he performed in comedic roles. - Vasili Vasilyevich Merkuryev was born on April 6, 1904, in Ostrov, Pskov province, Russia. He was the youngest of seven children in the family. His father, named Vasili Ilyich Merkuryev, was a grocer in the city of Ostrov, near Pskov. His mother, named Anna Ilyinichna, was a German immigrant. Young Merkuryev began his acting career in 1920, as an apprentice at the theatre of the city of Ostrov. In 1926 he graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Theatrical Art. Merkuryev made his film debut in 1935, he played a supporting role of Stas in 'Inzhener Goff' (aka.. Zemlya vperedi or Land Ahead, 1935). His professional acting career spanned over 50 years. Merkuryev played more than 40 roles in film and made over 100 stage works.
From 1937-1978 Vasili Merkuryev worked with the Pushkin Drama Theatre (Aleksandrinski Theatre) in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). He was invited to the troupe of the oldest Russian Drama Theatre by his acting teacher Leonid Vivyen. Merkuryev was among the leading actors of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Nikolay Cherkasov, Nikolai Simonov, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Aleksandr Borisov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mameyeva', Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors.
Vasili Merkuryev was awarded the State prize of the USSR three times: for supporting role in 'Glinka' (1947), for supporting role in 'Povest o nastoyaschem cheloveke' (1949) and for the leading role in 'Donetskie shakhtery' (1952). He also received the Stanislavsky State Prize (posthumously in 1979) for his stage works and other awards and decorations for his works in theatre and film. Merkuryev was honored with the title of the People's Artist of the USSR (1964). From 1932-1978 Merkuryev was a professor at the Leningrad Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography. There he led acting class together with his wife, Irina Vsevolodovna Meyerhold, daughter of Vsevolod Meyerhold.
Vasili Merkuryev was known for his compassion and legendary generosity. He shared his money and food with his students during the times when they were struggling to survive. He adopted three children of his brother, Pyotr Merkuryev, who was executed in 1939, under dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. He also named his son, Pyotr Merkurev, in the memory of his brother. Vasili Merkuryev died on May 12, 1978, in Moscow, Russia, and was laid to rest in Necropolis of The Masters of Art "Literatorskie mostki" at Volkovskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia. - Nikolai Konstantionovich Simonov was born on December 4, 1901, in Samara, Russian Empire. His father, named Konstantin Simonov, was a manager of a local food industry. Young Simonov read voraciously and dreamed about acting in theatre. From 1917-1919 he studied art at Samara School of Art and Design. From 1919-1923 he studied art at Academy of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, where his teachers were Aleksei Rylov and Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin. From 1922-1924 he studied acting under Leonid Vivyen at the Institute of Theatrical Arts in St. Petersburg, from which he graduated with honors in 1924.
From 1924 -1973 Nikolai Simonov was a permanent member with the company of Pushkin Drama Theatre in St. Petersburg (Leningrad). Nikolai Simonov was among the leading actors of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. During the 1950s and 1960s he was Artistic Director of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya, Illarion Pevtsov, Yuri Yuryev, Boris Babochkin, Nikolay Cherkasov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Aleksandr Borisov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors.
Nikolai Simonov made his film debut in 1924 in Leningrad and played supporting roles in five Russian silent films. He shot to fame after his role of Commander Zhikharev in the classic film 'Chapaev' (1934) by brothers Georgi Vasilyev and Sergey Vasilev, where his partners were Boris Babochkin, Leonid Kmit, Illarion Pevtsov, Georgi Zhzhyonov, Boris Chirkov, and other Russian actors. Simonov's portrayal of Tsar Peter the Great in 'The Conquests of Peter the Great' (part one, 1937, and part two, 1938) brought him international fame and numerous awards.
Simonov was considered to be a patriarch of the St. Petersburg school of acting. His education and acting style was based on deep traditions of the School of Russian Drama which was founded in 1779, in St. Petersburg by Catherine the Great. Simonov's stage performances were legendary; several of his stage works were filmed for a historic record. His leading role in "The Living Corpse", an adaptation of the book by Lev Tolstoy, is remembered as one of the highest achievements in stage acting in Russian theatre. Simonov's portrayal of Antonio Salieri in "Malenkie tragedii" by Alexander Pushkin won him a Stanislavski State Prize award in 1962. Simonov regarded acting on stage as superior to acting in film; he supported the similar position of Konstantin Stanislavski and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko.
Nikolai Simonov was awarded the State Prize of the USSR three times (1941, 1947, and 1950) and the State Prize of Russia (1966). He was the only actor in Russia three times awarded the Order of Lenin (1938, 1950, and 1967) for his achievements as an actor. In 1950 he was honored with the title of the People's Artist of the USSR. Simonov was also the father of a remarkable family, his wife was an actress, and his son, named Nikolai Nikolaevich Simonov, was a famous surgeon in Russia.
Nikolai Simonov died on April 20, 1973, in Leningrad (ST. Petesburg) and was laid to rest in the Necropolis of Masters of arts in St. Aleksandr Nevsky Convent in St. Petersburg, Russia. - Vladimir Losev was born on 7 January 1945 in Furmanov, Ivanovo Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor, known for Dauriya (1972), Nochnaya smena (1971) and Rasskazhi mne o sebe (1972). He died on 13 November 1984 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Actor
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Aleksandr Verrtinsky was a famous Russian actor, singer and songwriter who suffered traumatic experience during the Russian Revolution of 1917, and expressed himself through acting, singing and songwriting. Vertinsky created a cross-genre style of his own, by blending such styles as Russian folk-song with French chanson and American stand-up comedy, and created his image as a "Russian Pierot", becoming a cult figure among Russian émigrés.
He was born Aleksandr Nikolaevich Vertinsky on March 19, 1889, in Kiev, Russian Empire (now Kiev, Ukraine). His father, Nikolai Petrovich Vertinsky, was an attorney and also wrote a satirical column in a Kiev paper. His mother, Evgenia Stepanovna Skolatskaya, was not married to his father because his father could not get a divorce from his previous marriage. Both parents died before Vertinsky was 5 years old, so he was brought up by his father's sister in Kiev. Although he dropped out of Alexandrinskaya Gymnasium in Kiev, Vertinsky established friendship with a teacher, named Sofia Zelinskaya, who was married to the brother of Anatoli Lunacharsky who would later become the Commissar for Culture in the Soviet Union. At that time Vertinsky made his stage acting debut at a Jewish Club on Podol in Kiev, but his first performance was a failure. He worked a variety of jobs, including that of a salesman, a hard laborer at the Dneper river-port, and an accountant at a local hotel, he also published his first short stories in a Kiev paper.
In 1910 Vertinsky came to Moscow and started as a stand-up comedian and singer-songwriter, then tried to get an acting job at the Moscow Art Theatre, albeit he failed an audition. In 1912 Vertinsky made his film debut in the role as an Angel who falls into a pile of snow in a silent film 'Chem lyudi zhivi', based on the eponymous story by Lev Tolstoy and directed by the writer's son Ilya Tolstoy. Vertinsky worked as a crew member and a part-time actor with the film studio of Aleksandr Khanzhonkov, and played about a dozen supporting and cameo parts in silent movies. At that time Vertinsky began his life-long friendship with film star Ivan Mozzhukhin, and later met and fell in love with the film star Vera Kholodnaya to whom he dedicated many of his popular songs. From 1914-1915 Vertinsky worked as a male nurse treating the wounded in the Russian Tsar's Army during the World War I. At that time he became addicted to cocaine, but managed to overcome the addiction and continued his stage and film career. Vertinsky made success with his smooth, touching and witty songs, and became a popular actor and singer, having toured with concerts in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Odessa, and Kiev before the Russian Revolution of 1917. After the Communist Revolution, in 1918 he moved from Moscow to Kiev, trying to escape from the disaster.
During the Russian Civil War of 1918-1920 Vertinsky was on the side of the White Russians, and against the Soviet Communists. He suffered from the loss of his property and saw the destruction and degradation of life under the rule of the Soviet Communists. In 1920 Vertinsky boarded one of the last ships leaving Crimea and emigrated from Russia to Constantinopol, and was struggling to survive as an actor. By chance he obtained a fake Greek passport which became his only document allowing him to travel and work. He further suffered through more traumatic experiences in emigration, and struggled to survive as an actor, trying to express himself through singing and songwriting. Eventually Vertinsky polished his stage image with flying gestures of his unusually expressive hands with elongated fingers, his smooth manners and aristocratic face. He emerged as one of the most popular Russian actors and singers along with such stars as Feodor Chaliapin Sr. and Ivan Mozzhukhin. During the 1920s he lived in Romania, Poland and France, and made many concert tours all over Europe, gaining substantial popularity among the growing numbers of Russian émigrés. He was a personal friend of impresario Sergei Diaghilev and choreographer Mikhail Fokin. In 1930s he made concert tours in the United States, where he had personal meetings with Sergei Rachmaninoff, Marlene Dietrich and Charley Chaplin. He also gave a private performance for the Vanderbilt family in the USA. At that time Vertinsky was offered to play a role in a Hollywood movie. However, after he struggled with his rudimentary English for two months, he quit any further efforts to have a career in Hollywood, and continued singing and acting in Russian and French.
From 1927-1934, while living mainly in Paris, Vertinsky kept concertizing around the world. After having a few successful tours in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, Vertinsky's career suffered during the Great Depression. However he managed to get performances before such dignitaries as the Prince of Whales, King Gustav of Sweden, King Alfonce of Spain, Baron von Rothchild, and others. Despite the steady success in his acting and singing career, Vertinsky was not really happy in his personal life. He often performed in the stage image as "Russian Pierrot", a "melancholy clown" who lost his country, was nostalgic, depressed and homesick, albeit was able to survive due to his wit and wisdom. His first marriage to a Polish lady did not last. From 1935 - 1943 he lived in Shanghai, China, where he opened his cabaret called "Gardenia" catering to a small Russian community. There, after two years of courtship and romance, Vertinsky married young Lidiya Vertinskaya (nee Lidia Vladimirovna Tsirgvava), also a Russian émigré who was born into a Georgian-Russian family in Kharbin, and the couple had their first daughter, Marianna Vertinskaya, born in 1943, in Shanghai, China. He was still homesick, longing for the image of "Old Russia" of his youth, and petitioned to the Soviet authorities, ".. let me come back, please. My heart yearns for Russia, my home, which has been through such hardship ..", so permit to return was granted. But he did not know much about the Soviet reality until he was there.
Vertinsky returned to the Soviet Union during the World War II, in December of 1943, and was allowed to settle in Moscow. His most popular songs were banned by the Soviet censorship under the rule of Joseph Stalin. Vertinsky was sent to perform at hospitals to entertain the wounded Red Army troops and proletarians with an official instruction to sing mostly patriotic songs in order to receive redemption. Regardless of the political restrictions on his creativity and acting career, Vertinsky managed to support his family. His second daughter, Anastasiya Vertinskaya was born in 1944, in Moscow, during the World War II. In 1948, when the Soviet leadership launched massive attacks on Russian intellectuals, Vertinsky was blacklisted by the Soviet Communist ideologist, Andrei Zhdanov, and his life and career was at risk. Joseph Stalin decided to leave Vertinsky alone and personally crossed his name out of the dangerous "black list", so Vertinsky was spared. After that he was allowed to resume his film career. In 1951 he was awarded the State Stalin's Prize for the supporting role as Brinch, an anti-Communist Cardinal in Zagovor obrechyonnykh (1950) by director Mikhail Kalatozov.
However, Aleksandr Vertinsky still remained under suspicion and was banned from recording of his songs as well as from publications of his writings for the rest of his life in the Soviet Union. He was also restricted from performing before big audiences, while the Soviet censorship put pressure on many Russian cultural figures, such as Anna Akhmatova and Boris Pasternak, among others. After the death of Joseph Stalin things began to change because Nikita Khrushchev initiated the "Thaw" and eased a few bans and restrictions. During the last decade of his life Vertinsky gave over two thousand concerts. Every year Vertinsky was making concert tours in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), the city where he had successful performances as a young man, before the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. Years later, in 1953 he wrote to his wife that Leningrad looked like a "dead city with empty palaces of the Tsars, as if a giant cemetery with beautiful monuments, ... where people still listen to the songs of Vertinsky." He died of a heart attack on May 21, 1957, at the Astoria Hotel in Leningrad (St. Petersburg).
Even after his death the official ban on Vertinsky's songs was enforced for many years, and his name was banned from being mentioned in publications and critical reviews. However, his unofficial recordings were popular among the underground intellectuals in the former USSR. His first legal vinyl album was released in the Soviet Union in the 1970s. Vertinsky's book of memoirs and poetry, titled "Dorogoi dlinnoyu", was published in Russia in 1990.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Semyon Timoshenko was born on 18 January 1899 in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was a director and writer, known for Island of Doom (1933), Myatezh (1929) and Napoleon-gaz (1925). He was married to Lyudmila Glazova. He died on 14 November 1958 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Since 1907 played in theatres of Istanbul. In 1922 repatriated to Armenia, Soviet Union. From 1922 to 1953 toured with different Armenian and Russian theatre companies. Since 1954 until his death was the leading star of Sundukyan Academic Theatre, Yerevan, Armenia. Became famous as one of leading Shakespeare performers, particularly by the role of Othello. Had occasional roles in cinema.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Mikhail Svetin was born on 11 December 1930 in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, USSR [now Ukraine]. He was an actor, known for Twelve Chairs (1977), Sirano de Berzherak (1989) and Zolotoy telyonok (2006). He was married to Proskurnina Bronislav. He died on 30 August 2015 in Gatchina, Leningrad Oblast, Russia.- Actor
- Director
Vladimir Romashkov was born on 2 July 1862. He was an actor and director, known for Stenka Razin (1908), A pochemu tak? (1929) and Devushka s dalyokoy reki (1928). He died on 5 October 1939 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Director
- Writer
Vladimir Fetin was born on 14 November 1925 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was a director and writer, known for Virineya (1969), Don Tale (1964) and Otkrytaya kniga (1974). He died on 19 August 1981 in Leningrad, Russian SFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Aleksandr Kuprin was born on 7 September 1870 in Narovchat, Penza Governorate, Russian Empire [now Penza Oblast, Russia]. He was a writer, known for Trus (1914), Granatovyy braslet (1965) and Sisters of the Gion (1936). He was married to Yelizaveta Maritsovna Geinrikh and Maria Karlovna Davydova. He died on 25 August 1938 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Viktor Kurochkin was born on 23 December 1923 in Kushnikovo, Tver Governorate, RSFSR, USSR [now Tver Oblast, Russia]. Viktor was a writer, known for Ssora v Lukashakh (1959) and At War as at War (1969). Viktor died on 10 November 1976 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Director
- Writer
- Art Director
Leonid Lukov was born on 2 May 1909 in Mariupol, Yekaterinoslav Governorate, Russian Empire [now Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine]. He was a director and writer, known for Bolshaya zhizn (1939), Miners of the Don (1951) and Uz jauno krastu (1955). He died on 24 April 1963 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Yuri Vladimirovich Tolubeev (Yuri Tolubeyev) was born on May 1, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1929 he graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Theatrical Arts as an actor. From 1926-1979 Tolubeyev worked as an actor and director with various theatres in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), mainly with the Pushkin Drama Theatre (Aleksandrinski Theatre).
Tolubeev's film career began in 1935 with a supporting role of Sailor Andrei in 'Sovershennoletie' (Coming of Age) by director 'Boris Shreiber'. Tolubeev was best known for his roles in the films of director Grigoriy Kozintsev. Their collaboration began with the work in 'The Return of Maksim' (1937). Later Tolubeev played Sacho Panza in 'Don Quixote' (1957), where his partner was Nikolay Cherkasov. His best known film role was Polonius in the legendary 'Hamlet' (1964), where his film partners were Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy, Mikhail Nazvanov, Anastasiya Vertinskaya and other remarkable Russian actors.
From 1942-1979 Yuri Tolubeev worked with the Pushkin Drama Theatre (Aleksandrinski Theatre) in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). He was invited to the troupe of the oldest Russian Drama Theatre by his acting teacher Leonid Vivyen. Tolubeev was among the leading actors of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Nikolay Cherkasov, Nikolai Simonov, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Aleksandr Borisov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors.
Yuri Tolubeev was awarded the State prize of the USSR in 1947, and also received numerous awards and decorations for his works in theatre and film. He was honored with the title of the People's Artist of the USSR (1964). Yuri Tolubeev died on December 28, 1979, in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia, and was laid to rest in the "Literatorskie mostki" Necropolis of The Masters of Art at Volkovskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia. - Director
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
- Writer
Gerbert Moritsevich Rappaport was born on July 7, 1908, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Austria). His father, Morice Rappaport, was a Doctor psychoanalyst. In 1927-28, young Rappaport studied law at University of Vienna. In 1928 he moved to Berlin and started working at Nero-Film Studio. There he met his Austrian compatriot, director Georg Pabst. During the 1930s he worked as assistant director with Georg Wilhelm Pabst in about ten productions, including several works with the Paramount Studios in Hollywood. There, in 1935, Rappaport was handpicked by Boris Shumyatskiy, the leader of the Soviet State Committee for Cinema. Boris Shumyatskiy invited Rappaport to work as director at the Lenfilm Studios in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). Rappoport accepted the invitation, because the Soviets supported his artistic ideas for making anti-Nazi films.
In 1938 Rappaport made his directorial debut with Professor Mamlock (1938), an anti-Nazi film about a brilliant Jewish doctor who saves the life of a Nazi leader, and get killed as a reward.The film based on the eponymous play by Friedrich Wolf was a success in the Soviet Union, but it was temporarily banned in 1939, after the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentropp Pact. During the Second World War, the film was popular again, and Rappaport continued making successful films securing himself a steady career and a high reputation in the Soviet Cinema.
Gerbert Rappaport was designated Honorable Artist of Russia. He was nominated for Grand Prize of the Cannes Film Festival for Stars of the Russian Ballet (1954). His last film was a criminal drama Menya eto ne kasaetsya (1976). Gerbert Rappaport died on August 31, 1983, in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia, Soviet Union.- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Vladimir Gardin was born on 18 January 1877 in Moscow, Russian Empire [now Russia]. He was an actor and director, known for War and Peace (1915), Peterburgskiye trushchobi (1915) and Landlord (1924). He was married to Tatyana Bulakh. He died on 29 May 1965 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Gennadiy Oporkov was born on 18 May 1936 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR. Gennadiy was a director, known for Zhavoronok (1971). Gennadiy died on 22 August 1983 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR.
- Editor
- Editorial Department
Yelena Mironova was born on 4 November 1908 in Libava, Russian Empire [now Liepaja, Latvia]. Yelena was an editor, known for Evo Zvali Robert (1967), Under Sunny Skies (1948) and Myortvyy sezon (1968). Yelena died on 10 October 1974 in Leningrad, USSR [now Saint Petersburg, Russia].- Writer
- Music Department
Sergei Esenin was born on 3 October 1895 in Konstantinovo, Ryazan Governorate, Russian Empire [now Ryazan Oblast, Russia]. He was a writer, known for Poj pesnyu, poet (1973), The Hollow (2007) and Mongol Shuudan: Moskva (1996). He was married to Sophia Tolstaya, Isadora Duncan, Zinaida Reich and Anna Izryadnova. He died on 28 December 1925 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Lyudmila Glazova was born on 29 August 1907 in Izhevsk, Sarapul uyezd, Vyatka Governorate, Russian Empire [now Udmurtia, Russia]. She was an actress, known for Vratar (1936), Wait for Me (1943) and Nastenka Ustinova (1934). She died on 16 May 1981 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Vasiliy Solovev-Sedoy was born on 25 April 1907 in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire [now Russia]. He was a composer, known for The Winner (1947), Ona vas lyubit (1957) and Maksim Perepelitsa (1956). He died on 2 December 1979 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Music Department
- Writer
Anatoli Badkhen was born in the Soviet Odessa in 1922 to a family of musicians, and moved to Leningrad, USSR (now St. Petersburg, Russia) when he was a toddler. He learned to play the trumpet as a child and started playing in bands when he was 17. He began conducting in the 1940s in Siberia, and graduated from the Leningrad Conservatory in 1955. In 1959 he became the senior conductor of the Leningrad Stage Theater, and in 1969 he founded the Leningrad Concert Orchestra.
The orchestra released more than 700 singles and 15 LPs and performed in soundtracks to many Soviet movies.
Badkhen died of cancer in Leningrad on Oct. 1, 1989, on the date of the 20th anniversary of his orchestra.- Dmitri Leshchenko was born on 25 October 1876 in Nikolaev, Kherson Governorate, Russian Empire [now Ukraine]. He was an actor, known for The Pianist (2002) and Congestion (1918). He died on 9 November 1937 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Composer
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Isaak Shvarts was a prominent Soviet and Russian composer of Jewish descent. Born in Ukraine (Soviet Union), his family soon moved to Leningrad (present day St. Petersburg) in 1930. By the age of 12 young Isaac has already given his major concert performance at Leningrad Philharmonic Hall. In 1936, during Stalin repressions, his father was arrested (later executed in 1938) and the family was sent in exile to Frunze (present day Bishkek), Kyrgyzstan. He got married in 1943 and had a daughter Galina. He remained in exile until 1945 and upon his return to St. Petersburg began his studies at the city's Conservatory. Graduating in 1951, he began his life-long career of a composer for stage plays and motion pictures. He composed music for over 35 various plays for theaters of Leningrad and Moscow and for over 110 motion pictures, working with well-known directors. He was Akira Kurosawa's choice in composing music for award winning Dersu Uzala (1975). His other notable works on motion pictures include White Sun of the Desert (1970), One Hundred Days After Childhood (1975), Young Catherine (1991), Luna Park (1992), Muzhchina dlya molodoy zhenshchiny (1996). He received several international and local awards and nominations at various festivals and was an Acedemician of the National Academy of Cinematographic Arts, Russia.- Fyodor Fedorovskiy was born on 15 February 1901 in Oboyan, Kurskaya Guberniya, Russian Empire. He was an actor, known for Muzhestvo (1939), Hamlet (1964) and Bessmertnaya pesnya (1958). He died on 14 September 1984 in Leningrad, USSR.
- Anatoli Abramov was born on 4 December 1915 in Nizevoye, Vyatka Governorate, Russian Empire. He was an actor, known for Vesna v Moskve (1953), Erti nakhvit shekvareba (1975) and Honeymoon (1956). He died on 10 July 1983 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR.
- Production Designer
- Art Director
- Director
Moisei Levin was born on 28 February 1895 in Vilna, Russian Empire [now Vilnius, Lithuania]. He was a production designer and art director, known for Amangeldy (1939), Puteshestvie v Arzrum (1937) and Rajchan (1940). He died on 19 August 1946 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Actor
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Mikhail Naumenko was born on 18 April 1955 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He was an actor and composer, known for Hipsters (2008), Leto (2018) and Obratnaya storona Luny (2012). He died on 27 August 1991 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya was one of Russian theatre's most prolific actresses who survived three Russian revolutions and three wars and performed over 400 roles on stage and in film.
She was born Ekaterina Pavlovna Korchagina on December 23, 1874, in Kostroma, north of Moscow, Russian Empire. Her parents were professional actors, and young Ekaterina Korchagina performed on stage together with her parents, as a child. In 1887 she began her professional career as an actress under the stage name Olgina. At that time she worked with touring troupes, as well, as with permanent troupes of local theatre companies in Arkhangelsk, Mogilev, Tula, Tambov and other Russian cities. In 1883, at age 19, she married a fellow actor Vladimir Aleksandrovsky.
In 1904 she moved to the capital of Russia, St. Petersburg, where she had more chances for her studies, as well, as her acting career. From 1904 - 1907 she was a permanent member of the troupe at Komissarzhevky Theatre in St. Petersburg, then was a permanent member of the troupe at Society of Arts and Literature in St. Petersburg, and also worked with various other tropes in St. Petersburg. From 1915 until the end of her life in 1951, Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya was a permanent member of the troupe at the legendary Aleksandrinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg (now The Pushkin Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia). She was best known for her stage performances as Lisa in A. Ostrovsky's play 'Groza' (aka... The Storm), and as Snegurochka in 'Snegurochka (aka... The Snowgirl), among her other memorable stage performances.
She made her film debut in the Soviet silent film Komediantka (1923), but there is also a record in her letters that she actually made her film debut in silent films by producer/director Aleksandr Khanzhonkov who initially invited her in his film after seeing her in a stage play during the 1900s, but soon Khanzhonkov changed his mind and said that she is not made for movies, however some of her scenes had been shot, albeit all of her early film scenes had been lost during the turbulent times of the Russian revolution and the Civil War. Her later career in the Soviet Union was highlighted by such film roles as Ulita in period film House of Greed (1934), based on the novel 'Gospoda Golovlevy' by writer Saltykov-Shchedrin, and as Mother Samoylova in _Mother and Sons (1938)_, by directors Mikhail Doller and Vsevolod Pudovkin.
Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya was designated People's Artist of the USSR in 1936. She was awarded the State Prize of the USSR for her works on stage in 1943. She also received numerous awards and decorations for her contribution to the art of theatre and film, including the Order of Lenin (twice), and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. She also made acclaimed radio performances of classic Russian plays during the 1940s. She died on January 15, 1951, and was laid to rest in Tikhvinskoe Cemetery of Aleksander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg, Russia. - Actor
- Director
- Writer
Aleksandr Fedorovich Borisov was born on May 1, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russia. His father was an industrial worker. Young Borisov was fond of theatre and participated in school drama club. In 1927 he graduated from the class of Yuri Yuryev at the Leningrad Theatre-Studio.
Borisov had also a stellar career as a stage actor. From 1928-1982 he was a permanent member of the troupe of the Pushkin Drama Theatre in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya, Nikolay Cherkasov, Yuri Yuryev, Boris Babochkin, Nikolai Simonov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Illarion Pevtsov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Konstantin Adashevsky, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors.
Aleksandr Borisov was awarded the State Prize of the USSR three times: for his stage works (1947), for the leading role in film 'Akademic Ivan Pavlov' (1949), and for the leading role in film 'Mussorgsky' (1950). He was designated the People's Artist of the USSR (1951) and the Hero of Socialist Labor (1981). Aleksandr Borisov died on May 19, 1982, in St. Petersburg (then Leningrad), Russia, and was laid to rest at the Necropolis of Masters of Arts "Literatirskie Mostki" in Volkovskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.- Actor
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Sergei Gurzo was born on 23 September 1926 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor and assistant director, known for The Horsemen (1950), The Young Guard (1948) and V mirnye dni (1951). He was married to Irina Gubanova. He died on 19 September 1974 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Anatoly Korolkevich was born on 16 January 1901 in Tyumen, Tyumen uyezd, Tobolsk Governorate, Russian Empire [now Tyumen Oblast, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Mister Iks (1958), Muzykalnaya istoriya (1940) and Spring Song (1941). He died on 11 April 1977 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Director
- Writer
Pavel Petrov-Bytov was born on 23 February 1895. He was a director and writer, known for Cain and Artem (1930), Miracles (1934) and Pravo na zhizn (1928). He died on 26 October 1960 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Nikolai Ivanovich Lebedev was a Russian film director specializing in movies for children, such as Schastlivogo plavaniya (1949) and V moey smerti proshu vinit Klavu K. (1980).
He was born Nikolai Ivanovich Lebedev on 9 August 1897, in Gus-Khrustalny, Vladimir province, Russian Empire. Young Lebedev grew up in Vladimir province east of Moscow. After the Russian revolution of 1917, he moved to St. Petersburg (then called Petrograd). In 1923 he made his acting debut in Petrograd Film Studio (predesessor of Lenfilm Studios). In 1925 he graduated from Leningrad Institute of Cinema Art and worked as an assistant director for over a decade. From the beginning of his career Lebedev became specialized in children's film. He received awards at the 1959 and 1980 Soviet Film Festivals in the category of films for children. Nikolai Lebedev died in Russia, in October of 1989 (natural causes).- Nina Gernet was born on 27 June 1899 in Odessa, Russian Empire [now Ukraine]. She was a writer, known for Devochka i krokodil (1957), Káta a krokodýl (1966) and Vesyoloye volshebstvo (1970). She died on 1 April 1982 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].
- Leonid Andreev was born on August 21, 1871 in Orel, Russia. His father, named Nikolai Ivanovich Andreev, was a member of the provincial Russian Nobility and worked as a land inspector for the government. His mother, Named Anastasia Nikolaevna Andreeva (Pazkovska) belonged to the Polish Nobility. Andreev graduated from the Orel Gymnasium, went to study law at the St. Petersburg University, and graduated from the Moscow University. His work as a crime reporter for "Moscovski Vestnik" (Moscow daily paper) provided material for his stories. He was fond of reading Fyodor Dostoevsky, Lev Tolstoy, and Anton Chekhov. He also red then popular Friedrich Nietzsche and Schopenhauer. After the death of his father and a painful first love experience in 1894 he was depressed and tried to shoot himself in a suicide attempt. He survived and worked hard to support his mother and his two sisters and two younger brothers. He successfully passed the Russian Law Bar in 1897 and practiced law as an attorney for five years from 1897-1902.
Andreev published his first story "Bargamot and Garaska" in 1898. It was noticed by Maxim Gorky, who promoted Andreev to the circle of writers and publishers, called Znanie (Knowledge). In 1901 his first book of stories was published by Znanie. His story "Bezdna" (Abyss, 1902), about a teenager's experience with a prostitute ending in her murder and his suicide, was attacked by Lev Tolstoy. But Andreev became an instant celebrity in Russia. After his anti-war story "Krasny Smekh" (Red Laughter, 1904), written during the Russian-Japanese war, he got involved with anti-Czar revolutionaries. Andreev was arrested and jailed by the Czar's secret service in 1905, after that he emigrated to Europe and lived in Capri, Italy as a guest of Maxim Gorky. While developing his expressionist style, Andreev wrote a bluntly realistic anti-war story "Rasskaz o semi poveshennykh" (A Story About the Seven Hung, 1909) and a realist novel "Sashka Zhegulev" (1911). After the war and the first Russian revolution of 1905, Andreev was writing a play every year. His plays were staged at the Moscow Art Theatre and theatres in Vienna, Berlin, Odessa and Kazan by directors Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko and Vsevolod Meyerhold among others. His best plays "Anathema", "Tsar-Golod" (Czar-hunger), "Samson v okovakh" (Samson in Handcuffs, 1914) were banned by Russian censorship under the Czar. Andreev built a big villa in Kuokkala, Finland, where many Russian intellectuals lived, just 50 km. West of St. Petersburg. He was a regular member of the circle of Korney Ivanovich Chukovskiy and maintained friendship with Maxim Gorky. Leonid Andreev also was a friend of writers Aleksandr Kuprin, Vladimir Korolenko, Ivan Bunin, Vikenti Veresaev, and singer Feodor Chaliapin Sr.. During WWI he was a strong critic of German aggression. In 1917 he opposed the Bolshevik Revolution.
Leonid Andreev was the founder of the Russian Expressionism in literature. He modernized his style through experiments with spiritualism, symbolism, eroticism and mysticism, and also studied a range of occult and religious traditions. His literary parallel was the American writer H.P. Lovecraft. Andreev remained in his villa in Finland after it's separation from Russia during the Russian revolution of 1917. He was a staunch critic of the Soviet communism and wrote powerful articles about the atrocities of communists in Russia. He died on September 12, 1919, at his home in Kuokkala, Finland, at the age of 48. Some mystery was haunting his burial; his grave in Finland was later on the Soviet territory since WWII. His magnificent villa was destroyed. In 1957 Leonid Andreev's remains were exhumed and moved to the prestigious "Poet's Alley" at the "Literatorskie Mostki" (Literary burials) near the graves of Ivan Turgenev, Ivan Goncharov, Nikolai Leskov and other Russian cultural luminaries at the Volkovo Cemetery in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). - Lidiya Shtykan was a Russian actress known for her stage performances with the ensemble of Pushkin Drama Theatre in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia.
She was born Lidiya Petrovna Shtykan on 26 June 1922, in St. Petersburg, Russia. Since her childhood she was fond of movies and fashioned herself being an actress. At age 18, she became a student of acting school in Leningrad, but her studies were interrupted by the siege of Leningrad during the Second World War. Lidiya Shtykan served as a nurse providing treatment to soldiers who were fighting in the front-lines against the invading Nazi armies. After the war, she returned to college and continued her studies. In 1948, she graduated from the Institute of Theatre, Music, and Cinematography in Leningrad (St. Petersburg).
From 1948 to1982 Lidiya Shtykan was a permanent member with the company of Pushkin Drama Theatre in St. Petersburg (Leningrad). Lidiya Shtykan was among the leading actors of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. There her stage partners were such remarkable actors as Yekaterina Korchagina-Aleksandrovskaya, Nikolay Cherkasov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Yuriy Tolubeev, Aleksandr Borisov, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Nikolai Simonov, Nina Urgant, Lyudmila Chursina and other notable Russian actors. Lidiya Shtykan made her film debut in 1944 in Leningrad appearing in a supporting roles in two films: Morskoy batalion (1946) by director Aleksandr Faintsimmer and in Zhila-byla devochka (1944) by director Viktor Eisymont.
Lidiya Shtykan was a remarkable stage actress best remembered for her appearances as Olivia in the Shakespeare's play "The Twelfth Night" and as Marina Mnishek in Alexander Pushkin's "Boris Godunov" staged at the Pushkin Drama Theatre in St. Petersburg (Leningrad). Her other notable stage appearance included as Luisa Miller in the F. Shiller's "Intrigue and Love" and as Madamoiselle Blanche De Cominges in "The Gambler" by Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Lidiya Shtykan was designated People's Artist of Russia (1968). She was married to notable Russian actor, Nikolay Boyarskiy and the couple had two children. She died of a heart failure, on 11 June 1982, and was laid to rest in Komarovo cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia. - Pavel Pervushin was born on 11 July 1914 in Kronshtadt, Russian Empire. He was an actor, known for The Lady with the Dog (1960), Blokada: Luzhskiy rubezh, Pulkovskiy meredian (1974) and Anafema (1961). He died on 5 June 1990 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR.
- Director
- Writer
- Editor
Aleksandr Ivanovsky was born on 29 November 1881 in Kazan, Russian Empire [now Russia]. He was a director and writer, known for Muzykalnaya istoriya (1940), Tri portreta (1919) and House of Greed (1934). He died on 12 January 1968 in Leningrad, USSR.- Actor
- Writer
Vladimir Chestnokov was born on 12 April 1904 in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire [now Russia]. He was an actor and writer, known for Ivan Pavlov (1949), Pervorossiyanye (1967) and V dni oktyabrya (1958). He died on 15 May 1968 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia].- Actor
- Director
Efim Zakharovich Kopelian (Yefim Kopelyan) was born on April 12, 1912, in Rechitsa, Gomel province, Russian Empire (now Rechytsa, Homel province, Belarus). He studied architecture at the Academy of Arts in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), but after a year he dropped out of college and joined the stunts at the Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT). In 1935 he graduated from the Acting Studio of the Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT) and became a permanent member of the main troupe. In 1941 Kopelyan married actress Lyudmila Makarova.
Kopelyan was one of the leading actors of the Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT) in Leningrad for 43 years. He began his acting career under directorship of Aleksei Dikij and then Boris Babochkin. Among his highest achievements were remarkable stage works under the directorship of Georgi Tovstonogov. Kopelyan's stage partners at the BDT were a stellar troupe of actors, including such prominent film stars as Lyudmila Makarova, Oleg Basilashvili, Tatyana Doronina, Valentina Kovel, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Zinaida Sharko, Kirill Lavrov, Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy, Sergey Yurskiy, Vladislav Strzhelchik, Oleg Borisov, Evgeniy Lebedev, Vsevolod Kuznetsov, Nikolay Trofimov, Pavel Luspekayev, and many other remarkable Russian actors.
Kopelyan shot to fame in the Soviet Union with his legendary narration in the TV series Seventeen Moments of Spring (1973). Kopelyan's special and enigmatic voice in that narration gained him such a wide popularity that he became a hero of many popular jokes. A brilliant film actor, Kopelyan played major film roles in the trilogy 'Neulovimye Mstiteli' (1966-1971), Opasnye gastroli (1969), and Povest o chelovecheskom serdtse (1976) among other popular Russian films. Kopelyan himself considered his part as Ataman in epic film Dauriya (1972) as his best work in film.
Yefim Kopelyan was designated the title of People's Artist of the USSR. He died of a heart failure on March 6, 1975, and was laid to rest in Necropolis of The Masters of Art "Literatorskie mostki" at Volkovskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.