Soviet actor Alexander Semenovich Menaker not only occupies an honorable place in the galaxy of famous artists, he is known as the father of two famous sons - actor Andrei Mironov and choreographer Kirill Laskari.
Childhood and youth
Alexander was born in the city on the Neva in 1913. His grandfather was known as a famous jeweler, fulfilling orders for the emperor himself. My father was a lawyer. The family occupied an apartment of 6 rooms. We lived merrily, artists often gathered at the Menaker's. From an early age, the child heard poetry and romances. Sasha learned to read and play the piano early. At school, the boy organized a noise band. For the performance of jazz compositions, everything that came to hand was used as instruments. As a teenager, Menaker became interested in theatrical premieres.
In 1929, Alexander decided to link his biography with the stage and chose the acting department of the studio of the Leningrad Drama Theater. To get a director's education, he transferred to the College of Performing Arts a year later.
Career
In 1932, the graduate came to Lengoraestrada. The main page of his work was the performance of parodies and feuilletons. A year later, the artist accepted the offer of the music hall, here for the first time his directorial abilities were realized. In 1935, the artist headed the Kharkov Jazz Theater. Soon Menaker returned to the Northern capital and appeared on stage in a duet with Eugenia Fish. 1939 became a turning point in the artist's creative biography - a creative union was formed with Maria Mironova. The couple gave concerts at the metropolitan stage theater.
During the war period, Alexander was the author of the programs "That's good!" and "Muscovites-compatriots", created the issue "Pray for him." Front-line brigades have repeatedly visited the front line with performances, raised the morale of the Red Army soldiers and brightened the hardships of the war.
In 1946, the duet "Mironova and Menaker" moved on to independent performances. Their most famous and warmly received by the audience were the works "Moscow Meetings" and "Familiar Portraits". In addition, the actors were involved in the performances of the Hermitage troupe.
In 1954, Menaker returned to the stage of the capital's variety theater, this time as a director and director. The artist was not only engaged in administrative activities, but also participated in the performances "Talking Letters" and "Family Matters".
Alexander Semenovich became famous not only for his theatrical works, but also for his film roles. The most significant milestones of his small filmography can be considered the paintings: "Jolly Stars" (1954), "Short Stories" (1963) and "Abduction" (1969).
Personal life
The renowned artist has been married twice. His first wife was the ballerina Irina Laskari. The couple had a son, Cyril, who later became a famous choreographer.
Menaker's second great love is Maria Mironova, who became not only his faithful companion and creative partner, but also the mother of their son Andrey, a brilliant actor whose talent never ceases to be admired. All descendants of the Menaker family chose professions related to creativity. Grandson Kirill Laskari works on television, granddaughter Maria Mironova became an actress.
In 1968, Alexander Semenovich suffered his first heart attack. This was followed by a second blow. The artist passed away in 1982 from cardiac arrest.
