Actor Yuri Smirnov: biography, work in film and theater. Personal life

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

We can say with confidence that among the lovers of Soviet and Russian cinema and theater there is no such person who would not know the name of Yuri Smirnov, People's Artist of the Russian Federation (he was awarded the title in 1997). Yuri Nikolayevich graduated from the V. B. Shchukin Theater School in 1963. The actor has been working at the Taganka Theater since 1963, and in 1961 he made his film debut. His first fame was brought by the film "Bumbarash", released in 1971, where he played the role of Gavrila.

Childhood

Actor Yuri Smirnov was born on November 6, 1938. His father, Nikolai Alekseevich, who came from the Volga region to Moscow, was from a family of hereditary shoemakers. Mom, Vera Petrovna, was from near Tula, from a family of dispossessed kulaks: her father had a large farm, consisting of sheep and cows. As a young girl, she worked in the service of the people, and then worked in various enterprises. At the time when the war began, and his father was called to the front, little Yuri was 2.5 years old. He and his mother left near Tula to visit relatives, to a village thatwas soon occupied by the Germans. In 1943, the family returned to Moscow, after some time the father was commissioned from the front. A little time passed, and the second child appeared in the family - son Nikolai.

Study

The choice of Yuri's profession was influenced by Alexander Zbruev, a childhood friend and classmate, who later also became a famous actor. In the first year of admission to the theater school named after V. B. Schukin, the applicant Smirnov Yuri was not enrolled. But he was taken to the Shchepkinskoye school, from which he was expelled a year later, without explaining the reasons.

The mentor at Shchepkinsky was Leonid Andreyevich Volkov. He created such an atmosphere on the course that his workshop was nicknamed "the school of young murderers." After leaving the walls of this institution, the future actor decided to try again to enter the Shchukin school. Having successfully passed the exams, Yuri Smirnov got to outstanding teachers: Leonid Moiseevich Shikhmatov, Vera Konstantinovna Lvova. It was they who taught him all the intricacies of acting. In 1963, Smirnov graduated from the Shchukin School.

Theatrical activities

In 1963, the actor was hired by the Taganka Drama and Comedy Theater under the direction of Alexander Konstantinovich Plotnikov. After 6 months, a new artistic director, Yuri Petrovich Lyubimov, came to the theater with part of his troupe. Actor Yuri Smirnov has played a huge number of the most diverse roles on the stage. For example, in the performances “The Master and Margarita” it is Begemot and Likhodeev, “There is enough simplicity for every sage” - Krutitsky, “The dawn is herequiet - the father of Liza Brichkina.

Films and TV

In the cinema, the first recognition came to the actor after the role of Gavrila in the film "Bumbarash". The film with a wonderful cast was released in 1971. Real success came to Yuri Smirnov after the film "Eternal Call", which was released in 1973. The actor brilliantly played a supporting role - a negative hero, a traitor and scoundrel Pyotr Petrovich Polipov. When the director brought the script and offered the role to Yuri Nikolayevich, he without hesitation chose the opportunity to play Polipov - and he performed his task simply brilliantly. In total, the actor played more than fifty roles in films. Photos of the actor Yuri Smirnov were once released in sets of postcards with images of Soviet artists. In the series "Efrosinya" he played the role of Mikheich - this is one of the latest great works of Yuri Nikolaevich. On the 365 Days TV channel, Smirnov worked as the host of the Day of Ages program.

Family

Yuri Smirnov met his future wife at the Taganka Theatre. He and Galina Gritsenko were approved for the role of lovers in the performance of Pyotr Naumovich Fomenko "Microdistrict". After Yuri Lyubimov came to the theater, many artists were out of work, including Galina. She did not become a star, but took care of the house, the family. Yuri Nikolayevich immediately drew attention to Galina, but at that time she was not free and had a daughter, Yuri Nikolayevich had a girlfriend. But feelings were stronger than conventions. Galina divorced her husband, and Yuri broke up with his beloved. After two years of romance, the couple legalized the relationship and have been married for over 50 years. Daughter Ekaterina lives in France, has a house, family, work there. Katya graduated from the Shchepkinsky School, was listed as an announcer on Central Television, and now works on the Euronews channel. The Smirnovs have two granddaughters, thirty and sixteen years old. Son Maxim graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow State University, works as a documentary filmmaker. When Galina and Yuri are asked what is the secret of a strong marriage, they answer simply - in patience.