Evgeny Leonov is a Soviet and Russian film and theater actor. He became known for his comedic images in such cult Soviet films as “Striped Flight”, “Gentlemen of Fortune”, “Afonya”, “Ordinary Miracle”, “Big Break”, “Autumn Marathon” and many others. The good-natured round face with a charming sly smile, a bald head and a teddy bear figure always evoked love and tenderness among the audience. And in his characteristic hoarse voice, every child and adult instantly recognizes Winnie the Pooh.
early years
Evgeny Leonov was born on September 2, 1926 in Moscow. Father Pavel Vasilievich Leonov worked as an engineer at an aircraft factory, mother Anna Ilyinichna Leonova was engaged in household work and children. Eugene had an older brother Nikolai, born in 1924. As an adult, Nikolai followed in his father's footsteps, and worked as an aircraft designer at the Tupolev Bureau. The Leonov family lived in two small rooms in a communal apartment on Vasilyevskaya Street. Guests and relatives often gathered in the Leonovs' house. The mother of the future actor, Anna Ilyinichna, although she had no education, had a wonderful gift as a narrator. She could funnyly tell the most ordinary stories. This talent of the mother in the future passed on to Eugene. Genet failed to finish high school, the war began. In 1941, the fourteen-year-old Zhenya got a job at the factory as an assistant turner, and then as a turner. He really wanted to help the front with something. During the war, the whole Leonov family worked there. When the war ended, the young man went to study at the aviation technical school. In the third year, Eugene drops out and enters the drama department of the Moscow Experimental Theater Studio. She was led by the choreographer of the Bolshoi Theater R.V. Zakharov.
Creation
In 1948, Leonov was accepted into the troupe of the Stanislavsky Theater. There he played in extras and in small episodic roles.
Since 1968, Eugene has served in the Moscow Theater. V. Mayakovsky. On the stage of this theater, he played one of his best roles - the role of Vanyushin-father in S.A. Naydenova "Children of Vanyushin."
Many film studios eagerly invited a chubby gay guy for episodic roles. Some of the paintings became popular, for example, the crime drama directed by Joseph Kheifits “The Case of Rumyantsev” (1956), or the comedy by Sergei Sidelev “The Street is Full of Surprise” (1957). However, Evgeny Leonov could forever remain an episodic actor, if not for the film "Striped Flight" (1961). Novice director Vladimir Fetin used to shoot only short films, so he entrusted the main role to a young unknown artist. More popular actors would not agree to risk entering a cage with a tiger. The film became a kind of springboard for a young, novice actor. The script for this picture was based on a true story.
This comedy film became the leader of the Soviet box office in 1961. She gathered 45.8 million viewers. The picture received the "Silver Prize" of the International Children's Film Festival in Calcutta (1973).
After the film "Striped Flight" Leonov firmly entrenched in the role of comedian. Because of this, the artist developed an internal complex. Having chosen this profession, Evgeni Pavlovich wanted to establish himself as a diverse actor. Striped Flight director Vladimir Fetin had a similar situation with Leonov. They also expected only comedy films from him. But he decided to stage the film-drama "Don Tale" (1964) based on the stories of Mikhail Sholokhov. Despite the protest of the members of the artistic council, Fetin achieved Leonov’s approval for the main role in the drama.
The film was a great success, and Eugene was recognized as a great dramatic actor. After that, the head of the Stanislavsky Theater Boris Lvov-Anokhin approved Leonov for the role of King Oedipus in the ancient Greek tragedy of Sophocles "Antigone".
Leonov became very popular, he was invited to act in the best Soviet directors. The most striking films with his participation are: "Do not Cry!" and “Afonya” by George Danelia, “Zigzag of Fortune” by Eldar Ryazanov, “Belorussky Train Station” by Andrei Smirnov, “Gentlemen of Fortune” by Alexander Sery.
In "Gentlemen of Fortune", Leonov played two roles at once: the cruel thief nicknamed Associate Professor and the kind director of kindergarten Troshkin. After this picture, the actor has many new admirers among people serving sentences in prison. To convincingly play a thief, Evgeni Pavlovich went to Butyrskaya prison to look at real prisoners. In 1972, this film became the leader of the Soviet box office, attracting more than 65 million viewers. Until now, many phrases from the film are winged.
The artist also became a favorite of children when one of the most famous heroes of the Soviet cartoon, Vinnie Pooh, spoke in his voice.
In 1979, the actor leaves the Stanislavsky Theater. He becomes an actor in the Mayakovsky Theater, whose artistic director was his former teacher Andrei Goncharov.
Leonov often had to refuse to play in performances because of his employment in film and television. By this he caused strong discontent of Goncharov. The last unpleasant incident was the shooting of Yevgeny Leonov in an advertisement for the new Ocean fish store. The actor was simply asked to take some photos at the store counter, and for free. Goncharov gathered the whole troupe and publicly insulted Leonov in front of the whole collective. He took the hat and let it go in a circle to collect the artist’s money, if he has so little that he drops to the set of commercials. Evgeny Pavlovich was at a loss why the theater director did not express his claims to him in person and immediately wrote a letter of resignation from the theater.
Leonov went on to serve at the Lenin Komsomol Theater, which was directed by director Mark Zakharov. The troupe was played mainly by young actors, and the repertoire was very unusual for the artist.
Mark Zakharov wanted to create a musical theater with a focus on "Broadway" productions, rather than a classic Russian drama school. But soon Leonov became very interested in the genre in which Mark Zakharov worked and even gave him a definition - "fantastic realism." But it was Mark Zakharov who opened the public to Yevgeny Leonov in a new role for him - a charming villain. This happened in 1979 after the screening of the film-parable "Ordinary Miracle".
In 1978, Evgeny Leonov was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR.
Personal life
Leonov met his future wife, Wanda, in Sverdlovsk, where he came on tour with the Stanislavsky Theater. The actor and his friend went to see an unfamiliar city. They met two students, made an acquaintance. Leonov fell in love with Wanda at first sight and for life. Then Eugene persuaded Wanda to move to Moscow. She agreed, despite the protest of her parents.
On November 16, 1957, the lovers married. June 15, 1959 their son Andrei was born. In Moscow, Wanda worked as a literary critic at the Lenkom Theater.
Son Andrei became an actor in theater and cinema, since 1997 he is an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.
Evgeni Pavlovich has two grandchildren and one granddaughter.
