The name of Frunzik Mushegovich Mkrtchyan is known in all countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. Several generations have been brought up on films with his participation, and phrases uttered by his heroes are still repeated in every way today. But few know about the life path of their beloved actor, People's Artist of the USSR, strewn with thorns rather than roses. His soft humor and naturalness in any role created the image of a light, cheerful person.
Childhood and youth
He was born in 1930 in Leninakan (now Gyumri) of the Armenian SSR, into a large, no-prominent Armenian family. We didn’t live well, for the salary of my father, a factory employee, and my mother, a dishwasher in the dining room at the same enterprise. Parents, sisters Ruzanne and Clara and brother Albert called him the special "home" name Mher. Translated into Russian, this means "bright."
After graduating from school in the year of the end of World War II, Frunzik immediately began working as an assistant projectionist. Either the images in the films, which he could watch endlessly, inspired the boy, or the indisputable acting talent was looking for a way out. One way or another, Frunzik spent all his free time in the drama club at the textile mill club, where he worked. The dream of the future actor was a firm decision, and talent allowed him to fulfill. Only one year of study in the studio at the Leninakan Drama Theater was enough for Frunzik to be enrolled in a professional staff.
Later, Mkrtchyan entered the Yerevan Theater Institute, and upon graduation he was accepted to work as an theater actor. From now on, the Sandukyan Theater, famous in Armenia, became his native collective. That was in 1956.
Film career
In the same year, Mkrtchyan’s long-awaited film debut took place. However, from the episode played in the film “The Secret of Lake Sevan”, the scissors of the editors left only the actor’s leg, which appeared on the screen. Such a blow to pride did not lead Mkrtchyan out of his chosen path. He more than compensated for the screen failure on the stage, where his name was already booming throughout Armenia. The theaters went "to Mkrtchyan", appreciating the deep talent of the young actor.
In 1960, Frunzik again tried his hand at cinema. And again without much success. Although his role in the film "Musical Team Guys" was quite successful, the film as a whole was not interesting to the public. After 5 years, George Danelia invites him to his comedy film "Thirty-Three." And here it did not work out! - The film banned censorship for ideological reasons.
However, the dream of a movie screen prompted Mkrtchyan to continue trying. And not in vain. A year later, "Caucasian Captive" appeared on the movie screens. The deafening success of the comedy brings all-Union fame to Leonid Gaidai, already an illustrious director, and to the actors who starred in the film. Fruzik Mkrtchyan as a prudent and rogue uncle Dzhabrail, trying to sell his own niece, was a discovery for the Soviet audience. The role of the wife of Jabrail is also noteworthy. Mkrtchyan’s inner circle knew that it was played by his second wife, Donara.
The actor fell in love, his memorable appearance became recognizable. Therefore, the movie “Aibolit-66”, released in the same year, where Mkrtchyan played one of Barmaley’s minions, only cemented success. But at the moment when the actor becomes famous and famous, the most tragic events begin in his personal life.
