Leonid Markov was distinguished by his bright appearance and expressive talent. On the stage of the theater and in the cinema, he managed to embody many diverse images. He appeared before the audience either in the role of a villain, or in the role of an unfortunate lover. He was easily given both major and minor roles.
From the biography of Leonid Markov
The future popular actor was born on December 13, 1927. Place of birth - Alekseevka, Kazakh SSR. Leonid's parents were creative people, they worked in an artistic environment. My father worked as an actor in many provincial theaters, my mother was a make-up artist. The family moved from place to place all the time. From the age of five, Lenya and his older sister Rimma took part in theatrical performances.
The audience adored little artists, but in those years Leonid was cool about the theater. He liked to create something with his own hands more: the boy loved to carve on wood, sculpt, paint. At one time Leonid even dreamed of becoming a painter.
Leonid studied well, was a diligent, responsible and disciplined student. But in his school years, there was no place for the theatrical stage in his plans.
The beginning of a theatrical career
The war found the Markov family in Vologda. Having received his secondary education, Leonid asked himself the question: what to do next? There was war, bombing and uncertainty all around. Mom advised Lena to start attending an acting studio at a drama theater. It was here that Markov became imbued with a love of theatrical art.
After a while, Leonid and his sister Rimma were accepted into a studio at the Moscow Lenin Komsomol Theater. At first, the brother and sister received only cameo roles. But gradually their theatrical life was getting better. Soon Leonid was already at the forefront.
During his theatrical career, Markov changed three theaters. He had a chance to play vivid roles in both classical plays and modern productions. Leonid's play amazed the audience with subtle psychologism, showiness and realism. Leonid Vasilyevich was always looking for "his" role, his own presentation of the work. Most of all he liked the strong-willed and rebellious heroes. He managed to convey the complex and contradictory nature of the characters.
At the Lenin Komsomol Theater, the actor worked for about 13 years and played in two dozen productions. Among them - "Honor from the Young", "The Cherry Orchard", "Bread and Roses", "Living Corpse", "Lost Illusions".
For five years Leonid Vasilievich worked at the Pushkin Theater. Since 1966, Markov served at the Mossovet Theater.
Work in cinematography
Leonid Markov played many roles in the cinema. The works of the master amaze with a variety of genres: these are mystical stories, detective stories, historical pictures, melodramas. Among the films in which the actor took part: "Red and Black", "Garage", "My affectionate and gentle animal", "Serpent", "Horses at the crossing do not change", "Anna Pavlova".
The handsome and imposing actor has always enjoyed success with women. Markov's first three marriages were short-lived. These unions could not be called happy. His last wife Elena was able to find the key to Markov's difficult character. She was 16 years younger than Leonid, but the age difference did not prevent the spouses from living in perfect harmony, safely and happily.
But family well-being crashed against a fatal illness. On March 2, 1991, Leonid Markov died a few months after a disappointing diagnosis was made: the actor had stomach cancer.
