Evgeny Leonov is a Soviet and Russian theater and film actor. He became known for his comedic images in such cult Soviet films as "Striped Flight", "Gentlemen of Fortune", "Afonya", "An Ordinary Miracle", "Big Break", "Autumn Marathon" and many others. A good-natured round face with a charming sly smile, a bald head and the figure of a bear cub have always aroused love and affection in 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 plant, mother Anna Ilyinichna Leonova was engaged in housekeeping and children. Evgeny had an older brother, Nikolai, who was 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 Vasilievskaya 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 of a storyteller. She could tell the most mundane stories in a funny way. This mother's talent in the future passed to Eugene. Zhenya failed to graduate from high school, the war began. In 1941, fourteen-year-old Zhenya got a job at the factory, first as an assistant turner, and then as a turner. He really wanted to help the front in some way. During the war, the entire Leonov family worked there. When the war ended, the young man went to study at the aviation technical school. In his third year, Eugene drops out of school and enters the drama department of the Moscow Experimental Theater Studio. It was directed 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 cameo roles.
Since 1968, Eugene has served at the Moscow Theater. V. Mayakovsky. On the stage of this theater, he played one of his best roles - the role of Vanyushin the father in the play by S. A. Naydenova "Children of Vanyushin".
Many film studios willingly invited a chubby, cheerful guy for cameo roles. Some of the films became popular, such as the crime drama “The Rumyantsev Case” by director Iosif Kheifits (1956), or the comedy by Sergei Sidelev “The street is full of surprises” (1957). However, Yevgeny Leonov could have remained an episodic actor forever, if not for the film "Striped Flight" (1961). Aspiring 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 venture into a tiger's cage. The film has become a kind of springboard for a young, novice actor. The script for this painting was based on a true story.
This comedy became the leader of the Soviet release in 1961. She has amassed 45.8 million viewers. The film won the "Silver Prize" at the International Children's Film Festival in Kolkata (1973).
After the film "Striped Flight" Leonov was firmly entrenched in the role of a comedian. Because of this, the artist developed an inner complex. Having chosen this profession, Evgeny Pavlovich wanted to establish himself as a versatile actor. The director of "Striped Flight" Vladimir Fetin had a similar situation with Leonov. They also expected only comedy films from him. But he decided to stage a film-drama "The Don Tale" (1964) based on the stories of Mikhail Sholokhov. Despite the protest of the members of the artistic council, Fetin secured Leonov's approval for the main role in the drama.
The film was a great success, and Eugene received recognition 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 films by the best Soviet directors. The most striking films with his participation are: "Do not cry!" and "Afonya" by Georgy Danelia, "Zigzag of Fortune" by Eldar Ryazanov, "Belorussky Station" by Andrey Smirnov, "Gentlemen of Fortune" by Alexander Sery.
In "Gentlemen of Fortune", Leonov played two roles at once: a cruel thief named Associate Professor and the kindest head of the kindergarten Troshkin. After this picture, the actor has many new admirers among people serving sentences in prison. To play a thief more convincingly, Evgeny Pavlovich went to Butyrka prison to look at the real prisoners. In 1972, this film became the leader of the Soviet distribution, gathering 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, Winnie the Pooh, spoke in his voice.
In 1979, the actor left the Stanislavsky Theater. He becomes an actor of the Mayakovsky Theater, whose artistic director was his former teacher Andrei Goncharov.
Leonov often had to refuse to play in performances due to his employment in cinema and television. By this he caused strong discontent with Goncharov. The last unpleasant incident was the shooting of Yevgeny Leonov in an advertisement for a new fish store "Ocean". The actor was simply asked to take a few photos at the store counter, and for free. Goncharov gathered the entire troupe and publicly insulted Leonov in front of the entire team. He took the hat and let it go in a circle to collect money for the artist, if he has so little that he sinks to filming in commercials. Evgeny Pavlovich was at a loss why the head of the theater did not express his claims to him in person and immediately wrote a letter of resignation from the theater.
Leonov went to serve in the Lenin Komsomol Theater, which was directed by director Mark Zakharov. Mostly young actors played in the troupe, and the repertoire was very unusual for the artist.
Mark Zakharov wanted to create a musical theater with a focus on "Broadway" productions, and not on the classical Russian drama school. But soon Leonov became very interested in the genre in which Mark Zakharov worked and even gave it a definition - “fantastic realism”. But it was Mark Zakharov who opened Evgeny Leonov to the public in a new role for him - a charming villain. This happened in 1979 after the release of the film-parable "An Ordinary Miracle".
In 1978, Yevgeny Leonov was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR.
Personal life
With his future wife, Wanda, Leonov met 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, struck up 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 her parents' protest.
On November 16, 1957, the lovers got married. On June 15, 1959, their son Andrei was born. In Moscow, Wanda worked as a literary critic at the Lenkom Theater.
Son Andrey became an actor of theater and cinema, since 1997 he is an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation.
Evgeny Pavlovich has two grandchildren and one granddaughter.
Sickness and death
In 1988, on tour in Hamburg, due to a massive heart attack, Leonov experienced clinical death. As a result, he underwent an emergency operation - coronary artery bypass grafting. The artist was in a coma for 28 days. Despite the illness, Leonov returned to the profession after four months.
On January 29, 1994, intending to once again play in the play "Memorial Prayer", Evgeny Pavlovich's blood clot came off. Upon learning that the performance was canceled due to the death of the actor, none of the spectators returned the ticket. For several hours in absolute silence, with candles lit, people stood near the entrance to the "Lenkom" and grieved over the departed genius.
