Yanina Boleslavovna Zheimo is a Soviet actress, famous for her roles in films of the post-war period. Because of her miniature, she always acted as a travesty actress, playing girls and teenage boys. One of her best works is the lead role in the 1947 film Cinderella, which she played at age 37.
Biography
Ioannina was born into the family of famous circus artists. Dad was a Pole, and his mother was Russian. Their daughter was born on May 29, 1909 and, as soon as she learned to walk, she began to take part in all parental training enthusiastically.
At that time, the Zheimo family lived in the city of Volkovysk, which is part of the Russian Empire of the Grodno province. Now it is part of Belarus. From the age of three, the girl began performing at the arena with her parents, showed amazing talents in ballet and acrobatics, and soon even taught others, giving paid ballet lessons.
In 1923, the father of the Boleslav family died, and his wife and children had to leave the circus. It was father who was the main in all the rooms of the family and there was no one to replace him. The enterprising mother moved with her two daughters to Petrograd and with them organized a music troupe that was a resounding success.
Even then, Ioannina realized that she liked to perform on stage, but she was much more fascinated by the magic of cinema. In 1924, the girl managed to enroll in a Leningrad film studio, where the pioneers of this art, Kozintsev and Trauberg, taught. 15-year-old Yanina shocked everyone by presenting evidence that she has been performing before the public for 12 years.
Career and personal life
Jameau's height was only 148 centimeters. A pretty face, a miniature body - all this determined her role, which is quite in demand at all times. Too few adult actors able to convincingly play a childish role. Already in 1925, she made her debut on the movie screen, playing a boy named Bear in the movie "Bears against Yudenich."
It was then that the actress met her first love - actor Kostrichichkin. As usual with celebrities, their personal life is inseparable from work. The lovers got married and they had a daughter, who was named in honor of her mother - Yanina. However, the relationship quickly faded and in 1932 the couple broke up without regrets.
In 1926, Ioannina got the main role in the joint film of famous mentors "Brother", and in 1929 she finally received the long-awaited FEX diploma and went on to make a high-profile career. She was snapped up, but loud fame came to Jeymo after she played Asya "Button" in the cult film "Girlfriends" in 1935.
She was inundated with letters, declarations of love, flowers and gifts. This role brought her a state award - the Order of the Badge of Honor. And in 1938, the actress married a second time. This time, Joseph Kheifits became her chosen one, to whom she gave birth to a son.
War years
During the war, Zheimo Yanina Boleslavovna ended up in besieged Leningrad without a family - her husband and children successfully evacuated to Tashkent, and the actress was calm for her loved ones. She constantly spoke in hospitals and in front of residents, soldiers of the occupied city, refusing to leave Leningrad in a specially designated plane for her.
When asked why she stayed, Ioannina proudly answered: "Someone must defend this city!" The hall laughed - the tiny Asya was least like a courageous defender, but it was her performances that inspired people and made them hope for the best. In addition to performances, the actress actively participated in all the affairs of the unfortunate city - carried night shifts, helped deliver groceries, treat people.
In 1942, she was able to leave Leningrad, but after the bombing of the train, which included Jaime, her husband heard rumors about the death of the actress, and he married again. This was a painful blow and the last straw for the survivors of the blockade of Ioannina. She became seriously ill and only two years later was able to think again about work and her own future. Saved the woman Leonid Janot, a caring man, a fan of her talent and director. He became the third husband of the star.
