Boris Nikolaevich Livanov is a bright representative of the young generation of post-October cinema, a hereditary actor. A native of the Moscow Art Theater school, where he was known as Stanislavsky's favorite, and later a leading actor and director of the same theater group. Stalin highly appreciated Livanov for his reliable acting, masterful reincarnation, and unique diction.
Biography
Boris Nikolaevich Livanov was born on April 25, 1904 in Moscow. His parents, Nikolai Alexandrovich and Nadezhda Sergeevna Livanovs. The family had two children, besides Boris, another daughter, Irina. She also had success, but in musical operetta theaters. She worked on the stages of Irkutsk, Rostov, Sverdlovsk.
It is not surprising that the children of the Livanovs so clearly manifested their creative musical and acting talents, because Nikolai Alexandrovich, without an acting education, devoted his whole life to the stage. Moreover, he broke the family tradition, where he was destined for the role of the owner of a fabric for the production of canvas.
However, at the age of 18, Nikolai left home, simply nesting into a wandering theater. Then he worked on various provincial scenes under the pseudonym "Izvolsky". Nikolai Aleksandrovich Livanov later played in the Moscow theater of P. P. Struisky, who was known as a master of the anterprise. At the end of his theatrical career, Boris's father was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1947).
It cannot be said that Boris Nikolaevich dreamed of theater since childhood. At the age of 16, hiding his real age, he went to the front. At that time, the Civil War was going on and the guy was returned home when his deception was revealed. And yet, the future actor managed to fight for about a year. I must say that this moment in his biography is significant, since the commander at that time was Alexander Strizhenov, the father of future famous actors.
Of course, Boris Livanov did not catch the connection in this, but after being expelled from the Army, he decided to enter the Moscow Art Theater School. The actor's genes did not fail, and already during his studies there (1922-1924), at one of the student shows, Boris was noticed by Nemirovich-Danchenko. Later, he expressed his opinion about the acting potential of Livanov, saying that there are four energies in him. Nemirovich invited Boris to play on the stage of the Moscow Art Theater professionally. So, since 1924 Livanov was accepted into the troupe of the famous theater.
Boris Livanov's career in cinema and theater
Boris Livanov's career as a film actor and theater artist began in 1924, and in his first role in the short film by Y. Zhalyabuzhsky "Morozko" he played even before he entered the stage of the Moscow Art Theater. In 1927, a film with S. Eisenstein's participation "October" was released. At that time it was a silent movie, but it opened the milestone of Soviet Leninin.
Critics and fans of the actor are unanimous in the opinion that Livanov will possess an extraordinary gift of transformation. He was a versatile actor, any role was "on the shoulder". The first performances in which Boris Livanov was involved are:
- "Tsar Fyodor Ioannovich";
- Othello;
- "At the gates of the kingdom";
- "Untilovsk"
Later, the actor played in many classic works: "Woe from Wit", "Dead Souls", "Three Sisters" and others. The big trouble for any actor will be if viewers and directors see him in only one role. This did not threaten Livanov. He was able to use the entire palette of his creative abilities as accurately as possible: the timbre of his voice, facial expressions, pauses (which later his colleagues would name "Lebanese"), personal natural charm.
The audience went to the actor Livanov, tickets were sold out instantly. In the 50s, Boris Nikolaevich was already in the role of a director. Many people remember his directorial work "Lomonosov", where he also plays the main role. As a director, he is one of the first to stage the works of Dostoevsky. In the last years of his life, Livanov no longer participates in the performances of the Moscow Art Theater as an actor, but continues to act in films.
On his account there are more than 30 films of such famous directors as Eisenstein, Romm, Kheifits and others. There was another reason that Livanov suddenly lost interest in his native theater. In 1970, Boris Nikolaevich Livanov received an offer to appoint him to the post of head of the theater. But while he and his wife went on vacation, representatives of the theatrical elite turned to Furtseva with a request to replace this candidate with Oleg Efremov.
It is possible that the intrigues behind Livanov's back affected his health. The last motion picture with his participation dates back to 1970 ("Kremlin chimes"), and in 1972 he will die at the age of 68. Joseph Vissarionovich Stalin did not hide his admiration for the acting skills of Boris Livanov, although the artist was famous for his freedom-loving, rebellious disposition. Once the leader nevertheless carried out educational work in relation to him - he banned his play "Hamlet".
This was due to Livanov's refusal to join the party. However, for several years Boris Nikolayevich was the constant winner of the Stalin Prize: in 1941, 1942, 1947, 2949, 1950. Only the aircraft designer Ilyushin had more such awards. In 1948, the actor received the title of People's Artist of the USSR, and in 1970 - the State Prize of the USSR.
Personal life of the actor
Of personal qualities, Boris Nikolaevich had an extraordinary sense of humor. Until now, in the walls of the Moscow Art Theater there are countless tales about the actor. Livanov lived all his life with one woman, despite the number of female fans who did not give a pass after the performance. His chosen one was Evgenia Kazimirovna, a Polish woman.
Evgenia Kazimirovna was an artist, creative and refined nature. However, Boris Nikolaevich was not inferior in talent to his second half. He skillfully drew cartoons. It is known that he was repeatedly offered to even work for the publication of "Kukryniksy", which he refused. In the Livanov family, one only child was born - the son Vasily, who adequately continued the acting dynasty already in the third generation.
