Boris Nikolaevich Livanov is a bright representative of the young generation of the post-October cinema, a hereditary actor. A native of the Moscow Art Theater School, where he was known as the favorite of Stanislavsky, and later a leading actor and director of the same theater group. For a reliable acting, masterful transformation, unique diction, Stalin highly valued Livanov.
Biography
Boris Nikolaevich Livanov was born on April 25, 1904 in Moscow. His parents, Nikolai Alexandrovich and Nadezhda Sergeevna Livanov. The family had two children, besides Boris, also his daughter Irina. She, too, was successful, but in musical theaters operettas. She worked on the stages of Irkutsk, Rostov, Sverdlovsk.
It is not surprising that the children of the Livanovs so vividly showed creative musical and acting talents, because Nikolai Alexandrovich, having no acting education, devoted his whole life to the stage. Moreover, he violated the family tradition, where he was destined for the role of the owner of the manufactory for the production of canvas.
However, Nicholas left home at the age of 18, simply by clinging to a wandering theater. Then he worked on various provincial stages under the pseudonym "Izvolsky." Nikolai Aleksandrovich Livanov later played in the Moscow theater P.P. Struysky, who was known as a master of Anterprizes. At the end of his theatrical career, Boris's father was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1947).
This is not to say that Boris Nikolaevich dreamed of being a theater from childhood. Being 16 years old, hiding his real age, he went to the front. At that time, there was a Civil War and the guy was returned home when his fraud was revealed. And yet, the future actor managed to fight for about a year. I must say that this moment in his biography is significant, since Alexander Strizhenov, the father of famous actors in the future, was the commander at that time.
Of course, Boris Livanov did not catch the connection in this, but after being expelled from the Army he decided to enter the Moscow Art Theater School. The actor’s genes did not disappoint, and already while studying there (1922-1924), at one of the student shows, Boris Nemirovich-Danchenko noticed. Later, he expressed his opinion about the acting potential of Livanov, saying that he had energy for four. Nemirovich invited Boris to play on the stage of the Moscow Art Theater professionally. So, since 1924 Livanov was accepted into the troupe of the famous theater.
Career of Boris Livanov in film and theater
The career of film actor and theater artist Boris Livanov began in 1924, and in his first role in the short film by Yu.Zhalyabuzhsky "Morozko" he played even before he entered the Moscow Art Theater. In 1927, the film with his participation S. Eisenstein "October" was released. At that time it was a silent movie, but the milestone of Soviet Leninin opened up to them.
Critics and fans of the actor are unanimous in their opinion that Livanov has an unusual gift of reincarnation. He was a diverse actor, any role was "on the shoulder" to him. The first performances in which Boris Livanov was involved are:
- "Tsar Fedor Ioannovich";
- Othello
- "At the gates of the kingdom";
- "Untilovsk"
Later, the actor played in many classic works: "Woe from Wit", "Dead Souls", "Three Sisters", etc. A big disaster for any actor will be if the audience and directors see him in only one role. This did not threaten Livanov. He knew how to make the most accurate use of the entire palette of his creative abilities: voice timbre, facial expressions, pauses (to which colleagues later name the Lebanese name), personal natural charm.
The audience went to the actor Livanov, tickets were sold out instantly. In the 50s, Boris Nikolaevich was already in the role of director. Many remembered his directorial work "Lomonosov", where he acts in the main role. As a director, he is one of the first to stage Dostoevsky’s works. In the last years of his life, Livanov is no longer participating in the Moscow Art Theater as an actor, but continues to act.
He has accounted for more than 30 films by such well-known directors as Eisenstein, Romm, Heifitz and others. There was another reason for the fact that Livanov suddenly cooled off to his native theater. In 1970, Boris Nikolaevich Livanov received a proposal to appoint him to the post of head of the theater. But while he and his wife went on vacation, representatives of the theater elite turned to Furtseva with a request to replace this candidate with Oleg Efremov.
It is possible that the machinations behind Livanov’s back were reflected in his health. The last motion picture with his participation dates back to 1970 ("Kremlin Chimes"), and in 1972 he will die at the age of 68 years. Iosif Vissarionovich Stalin did not hide his admiration for the acting skills of Boris Livanov, although the artist was famous for his freedom-loving, rebellious disposition. Once the leader nevertheless carried out educational work in relation to him - his play "Hamlet" was banned.
This was due to Livanov’s refusal to join the party. However, for several years, Boris Nikolaevich was the invariable winner of the Stalin Prize: in 1941, 1942, 1947, 2949, 1950. Only aircraft designer Ilyushin had more such awards. In 1948, the actor received the title of People's Artist of the USSR, and in 1970 - the USSR State Prize.
