Alexander Demyanenko is one of the most famous Soviet film actors. Despite the fact that he played many roles, the audience will forever remember the actor thanks to the image of a slightly shy intellectual Shurik.
Childhood, adolescence
The hometown of Alexander Demyanenko is Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg), he was born on May 22, 1937. His father was an artist of the Opera House, and later began to teach acting. After the appearance of Sasha, he left his family, but then returned.
The boy spent his free time in the theater with his father and soon he himself wanted to become an actor. Sasha attended school with an intensive study of German. In 1954, representatives of the Moscow Art Theater visited Sverdlovsk, they were looking for young talents. Demyanenko did not pass the audition, he was very worried.
After school, he began to study to be a lawyer, then left his studies and went to the capital. Demyanenko passed the exams at GITIS and the V. I. Shchukin, but chose GITIS, where his father studied. Iosif Raevsky became Demyanenko's mentor. In 1959 Alexander received his diploma.
Creative career
Alexander made his film debut as a 2nd year student. He was given a role in the movie "Wind". The image of a modest intelligent already then became associated with Demyanenko.
After GITIS, Alexander worked for 3 years at the Drama Theater. Mayakovsky. In 1961 he starred in the movie "The World Incoming", which became very successful and received many prizes. Then Demyanenko got roles in the films "Dima Gorin's Career", "Adult Children", which brought a share of fame.
In 1962, Alexander was invited to work at Lenfilm, he moved to Leningrad. The actor appeared in the movie "Empty Flight", "State Criminal". People began to recognize Demyanenko, his photographs were sold at the Soyuzpechat kiosks. But great fame came to the actor after working with Gaidai.
When the comedy "Operation Y" came out, Demyanenko became truly famous. The actor began to be called only Shurik. Alexander himself said that the role was given to him easily - he was just himself. At the request of the audience, Gaidai shot a new film about Shurik - "Prisoner of the Caucasus", later the picture "Ivan Vasilyevich changes his profession" was released.
Despite the fame that fell on the actor, he had difficulties with the further continuation of his career. Alexander Sergeevich became a hostage of the image, and this is a real tragedy for the artists. The directors had a hard time choosing roles for him. Demyanenko recalled with resentment that everyone remembered Shurik, although it was not difficult to play him. But the difficult roles in the films "Gloom River", "Peace to the incoming", "My good dad", with the work on which Alexander did an excellent job, remained little known.
The downside of popularity has become a burden for Demyanenko. He was offered very few roles, and in order to earn money, he began to hold meetings with the audience. The actor did not enjoy this activity. During this period, Alexander Sergeevich began to participate in dubbing films, then he worked in the theater. In 1991 he received the title of People's Artist.
Personal life
The first wife of Demyanenko was Marina Sklyarova, they were together for 16 years. The spouses lived in harmony, there was complete understanding in the family. But one day Demyanenko left Marina.
His second wife was the director of Lenfilm, whose name was Lyudmila. She already had a daughter, Angelica. Alexander Sergeevich got along remarkably well with his stepdaughter; he did not have children of his own. As an adult, Angelica became an artist of the Drama Theater. Dodin.
