Oleg Strizhenov could well have become a great painter. But he, being a versatile person, chose the craft of an actor for himself. Having played many notable roles in the theater, Oleg Aleksandrovich eventually focused on working in cinema. In this field, he achieved the maximum success in life.
From the biography of Oleg Alexandrovich Strizhenov
The future actor was born on August 10, 1929 in Blagoveshchensk. His father was an officer in the Red Army, went through the Civil War, and had military awards. When he met his future wife Ksenia, she was married. The husband gave her a divorce. After that, the destinies of Oleg's parents merged. Strizhenov had a brother, Gleb.
In the mid-1930s, the Strizhenov family moved to Moscow. Here they were caught by the war. Gleb and Oleg, together with their mother, remained in the capital, and Ksenia's father and eldest son Boris went to the front.
Soon Gleb also went to fight: he added the missing years to the documents, which gave him the right to become a volunteer. However, soon Gleb was seriously wounded, after which he was discharged.
Oleg studied in high school in those difficult war years. As a disciple, he was not only gifted, but also diligent. The teachers immediately noted his desire for creativity. Oleg read poetry excellently, drew well. He devoted a lot of time to painting, honing his skills. No one doubted that Strizhenov Jr. would eventually become a famous artist.
After the war, Gleb, who had long dreamed of becoming an actor, persuaded Oleg to submit documents to the famous "Pike". Oleg successfully passed the exams. The student years began. Even then, Oleg showed himself to be a versatile actor. Here are just a few of his roles:
- Romeo in Shakespeare's famous tragedy;
- Zhadov at the "Profitable Place";
- An impostor in Boris Godunov.
In 1953, Oleg graduated from college and was assigned to the Theater of Russian Drama in Tallinn. He was immediately offered the role of Neznamov in Ostrovsky's play “Guilty Without Guilt”. The production was a resounding success. Strizhenov's main role was undoubtedly a success. Oleg had a brilliant theatrical career. However, he chose cinema as his field.
The beginning of the creative career of Oleg Strizhenov
In 1952, work began on the film version of Ethel Lilian Voynich's novel The Gadfly. The director A. Fayntsimmer was looking for a handsome young man who had not previously acted in films for the main role. One of the director's assistants visited the Shchukin School and attended a performance based on Shakespeare's play, in which Oleg Strizhenov played the main role. Soon, the photograph of the young actor was in front of Feintzimmer. However, this candidacy did not make an impression on the director.
In the meantime, the shooting of The Gadfly was postponed to the next year. By that time, Strizhenov had already conquered the public in the capital of Estonia. The production of the play "Guilty Without Guilt" impressed another of Feintsimmer's assistant, who shared his thoughts with the director. Hearing a familiar surname, Fayntsimmer invited Oleg to audition in Leningrad.
Strizhenov did not harbor any special illusions about his candidacy. Many talented actors were his competitors. It was assumed that Oleg would be eliminated in the first trial. But something incredible happened. Having gathered, Strizhenov was able to demonstrate all his acting talent at the screen tests. Feintsimmer was delighted with the young actor. Oleg Alexandrovich was immediately approved for the role of Arthur in The Gadfly.
Filming began almost immediately. This project has proven to be extremely successful. After the release of the picture, Strizhenov immediately became famous. Oleg Alexandrovich's film debut coincided with another important episode in his life. On the set, the actor first saw his future wife Marianne: she was the performer of the role of Gemma. In this marriage, the Strizhenovs had a daughter, who was named Natasha.
The performer of the role of the Gadfly soon received interesting proposals from directors from everywhere. The actor perfectly coped with the main role in the film "Mexican" based on the works of Jack London. In parallel, in 1955 Strizhenov starred in the film "Forty-first" with Grigory Chukhrai. This work impressed both audiences and film critics: the film won a prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
At the peak of popularity
In the late 50s, the popularity of Oleg Alexandrovich went uphill. Strizhenov has become one of the most sought-after actors in Russian cinema. Many noted his resemblance to the French actor Gerard Philippe, who in those years was the idol of the public all over the world. However, Strizhenov still remained himself.
In 1958, Oleg Aleksandrovich played the role of the sapper commander Dudin, who had to eliminate the consequences of the war in peacetime. He coped with this role so well that even professionals noted the veracity of the image created by the actor.
Here are several films in which Strizhenov played in the 60s:
- "Duel";
- "Three sisters";
- "The Third Youth";
- "Roll call".
In 1967, Oleg Strizhenov received an invitation to the Moscow Art Theater troupe. This is how the actor returned to the theater. Interesting roles awaited him. But not only creativity occupied him at that time. Changes have been outlined in his personal life. During that period, Strizhenov met his second wife. In this marriage, the couple had a son, Alexander.
In 1969, Strizhenov was awarded the high title of People's Artist of the RSFSR. The following years were promising for the actor. And yet Oleg Alexandrovich did not feel complete satisfaction. Not all the proposals of the directors pleased him. Strizhenov was aware that he could play more prominent roles. The audience enthusiastically accepted his work in the film "The Star of Captivating Happiness", where Strizhenov played Prince Volkonsky. Then there were iconic roles in the films "Land on Demand" and "The Last Sacrifice". On the set of the last picture, Oleg Alexandrovich met his next beloved: Lionella Pyryeva became her.
In 1970, Oleg Strizhenov was named the best actor by the magazine "Soviet Screen". At the same time, the movie "Start Liquidation" was released, where the actor got the role of the head of the operational group of the criminal investigation department. The film became the leader of the box office.
Strizhenov was actively filming until the mid-80s. Then he was involved in only a few creative projects that did not bring him much fame. Shortly before the collapse of the great power, Oleg Aleksandrovich became the People's Artist of the USSR.
Currently Strizhenov, who is at a very old age, is not removed. He devotes almost all his free time to his old hobby - painting.
