People's Artist of the USSR Konstantin Stepankov - the legend of Soviet cinema

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

On July 22, 2004, the actor Konstantin Stepankov, whose colorful appearance does not allow us to forget his heroes, many of whom were historical characters, passed away. Having played more than a hundred film roles and having all-Union fame, the artist remained faithful to the Ukrainian land, where he spent his whole life.

Actor Konstantin Stepankov: biography

The family significantly influenced the future life of the future people's artist. My father was a priest who was repressed in the 1930s. His real name is Voloshchuk, but his mother, Evgenia Vasilievna, fearing for the children, fictitiously divorced her husband and registered them for herself. The birthplace of the actor is the village of Pecheski (Khmelnitsky region), which survived the German occupation. Date of birth - 1928-03-06. After the return of the Soviet troops, the mother decided to move to Central Asia, but Konstantin remained at home. He had to go through an orphanage, serve a year on a fishing boat. In memory of the sea, tattoos remained on his arms and shoulder, which was not welcome in the acting environment.

In the hungry post-war period, a young manentered the Agricultural Institute (Uman, Cherkasy region), where he studied for three years. His fate was changed by the arrival on tour of the theater. I. Franko, headed by Ambrose Buchma. During a meeting of actors with students, Konstantin Stepankov, whose biography will change dramatically from now on, read poetry from the stage. A. Buchma offered the young man protection when he entered the theater institute in Kyiv. In fact, he will become his spiritual father, to whom Konstantin Stepankov will be grateful until the end of his days.

Biography, personal life of the actor

After graduating from GIT in 1953, the young man, waiting for a place in the theater named after I. Franko, will remain teaching at the theater institute. Here his fateful meeting with 18-year-old student Ada Rogovtseva will take place, with whom they will not live to see the golden wedding for only a few years. It was love at first sight, which cost the teacher a party career: he will remain non-partisan, despite the bright roles of revolutionaries. He will even be suspended from teaching for a year, imputing moral decay.

The couple got married when Ada Rogovtseva completed her studies at the institute. The imposing Stepankov, who has only become more attractive over the years, was credited with many novels on the side. But in all interviews, he always claimed that his only love was and remains his wife. Two children were born in the marriage: son Konstantin, born in 1962. and daughter Ekaterina, born in 1972 Both of them chose the profession of director for themselves.

Elder son

KonstantinStepankov (younger), whose photo with his mother can be seen in the article, did not much outlive his father. Similar to him outwardly, he grew up in an atmosphere behind the scenes, imagining no other fate than acting. He started acting at the age of 12, and at 17 he already made his debut with his father in the film Forget the Word Death, where a small role was written especially for him, who wields a sword and confidently sits on a horse. But after graduating from GIT them. I. K. Karpenko-Kary young man became interested in directing. In the 90s, especially for his mother, he staged the play “Thank you” on the stage of the Theater. Lesia Ukrainka.

Being a creative person, he wrote poetry. Parents were proud of their son, who was one of the liquidators of the consequences at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. This led to a rethinking of life and a passion for ecology, to which he devoted most of his time. In 2012, he passed away from cancer, leaving his wife (choreographer Olga Semeshkina) and twelve-year-old daughter.

Theatrical career

In the theater named after I. Franko, where Konstantin Stepankov so aspired, he worked for 14 years. And he went to the theater-studio of a film actor, concentrating on a film career. Possessing an indefatigable temperament, excellent facial expressions and amazing inner energy, the actor did not fit into the melodramatic school of that time. He dreamed of Iago, but of all the Shakespearean roles, only Edgar was able to play in King Lear. Several brilliant images were created by him in the studio theater. Among them is the philosopher Xanthus in the play The Fox and the Grapes, who amuses himself with arguing withinnocent slave Aesop.

From 1956, he began acting in films, making his debut as Akim in Pavel Korchagin, but until 1968 he had no serious offers for which it was worth leaving the stage. Such work was the film "Stone Cross" by Leonid Osyka, where he played by no means the main, but the most difficult role. A peasant invited to execute a thief caught stealing.

Filmography

In the last years of his life, Konstantin Stepankov, who played in 139 films, including episodes, said that all roles can be divided according to the principle: those for which you are not ashamed, and all the rest. Among the first named: "Stone Cross", "Zakhar Berkut", "Commissioners", "Duma about Kovpak" and "Babylon XX". The best works are related to historical themes, where he plays uncompromising and obsessed with the idea of revolutionaries. These are passionate people who hold their party honor high. Such was Lukachev in “Commissars”, but such was Zhukhrai in “How the Steel Was Tempered”, the work of director N. Mashchenko, which the actor did not mention among the best. But it was thanks to her that the audience of the entire Soviet Union recognized him.

Several years were given to the role of the national hero Sidor Kovpak. It is curious that he was not even invited to audition. He appeared himself, having made up and appeared before the director T. Levchuk, striking with a portrait resemblance. Today it is one of his most significant works.

At the film studio. Dovzhenko often posted the employment schedules of the actors. In the 60s-70s. Stepankov's indicators exceeded 100%. In recent years hestarred much less often, worrying that Ada Rogovtseva became the main earner in the family.

Recent years

Indifferent to fame, Konstantin Stepankov moved to the village of Zhovtneve, enjoying communion with nature. He cooked dinners, took care of his grandchildren and did not think at all about the upcoming 75th anniversary. The wife and children insisted on the celebration. When he entered the House of Cinematographers with a stick, the audience, packed to capacity, gave him a long standing ovation. The actor couldn't hold back his tears.

He passed away at the age of 76 after a long illness, leaving behind wonderful film works that were included in the golden fund of Soviet and Ukrainian cinema.