One of the most famous Russian theater and film actors is Lev Durov. A tragic clown - this is how the actor spoke about his role in creative life. The shrillness of Durov's play could only be described in such words, said everyone who knew Durov personally or was an admirer of his talent.
Lev Konstantinovich could not boast of frequent roles, but the episodic roles that were played by this actor became a bright event in cinema and theatrical art.
Durov is a native Moskvich. Place of his birth Lefortovo, date of birth - 23.12.31. Lev Durov had two sisters. Their communal apartment was not far from the Lefortovo Museum. In his memoirs, Durov said that their apartment resembled a stable, because of the narrow rooms and thin long corridors.
The actor's parents were from the oldest respected circus dynasty. Durov's mother was a researcher at the military archive, and his father headed Soyuzvzryvprom. However, over time, acting inclinations began to appear in the little Leo. He loved to attend the drama club at the Palace of Pioneers, and became a student of the famous teacher Sierpinsky.
The war came, but Durov did not abandon his hobby for amateur performances, he took part in concerts in hospitals. Studying at school did not work out, however, as did the behavior of the schoolboy-Durov. Parents were constant “guests” of the school, calling the teachers, but instead of being punished with a “belt”, the father punished his son with his silence, which made Leo very upset, who loved and respected his father very much.
After school, Durov became a student at the Moscow Art Theater. In 1954 he was assigned to the Central Children's Theater. There he met the director Anatoly Efros, the actor worked with him for more than thirty years.
His career at CDT lasted 10 years. Many colorful roles were played that predetermined the "birth" of the great artist. One of his favorite works was the play "Good Hour". In 1967, Durov moved from the Central House of Theaters to the theater on Malaya Bronnaya, where he worked until his death.
The best roles of Durov in the theater
"Romeo and Juliet", "The Marriage", "Don Juan" - works in such performances were notable, and even noted by theater-goers from Scotland. But Durov said that his most successful theatrical role was Snegirev from Brother Alyosha.
Durov, theater direction and cinema
Like most of his fellow workers, Lev Konstantinovich graduated from courses in directing. The performances he staged were a huge success. For example, Cruel Intentions, Cinderella, and a large number of other works. Also worth noting is one of the director's latest works - "The Road to New York".
However, millions of Soviet viewers got to know the artist thanks to his film works, of which more than 160 were played. Among them there are also roles in foreign films.
The actor had a happy personal life and a wonderful family.. He lived with his beloved wife Irina Kirichenko for 57 years. They gave birth to a daughter, Catherine, and also became a happy grandfather and grandmother of two grandchildren. Irina died 7 years ago.
In the last years of his life, one could often see his young assistant Oksana Radchenko with him.
The actor always said that he was not afraid of death. Back in 1990, he was overtaken by a terrible stroke, as a result of which he experienced clinical death, but he fully recovered. In 2015, Durov suffered a second stroke, after which he could not stand up, and died in the hospital on August 20, 2015.
