Here are 11 famous actors from Russian Empire were born in 1909:
Boris Blinov (April 19, 1909 Saint Petersburg-September 13, 1943) a.k.a. Boris Vladimirovich Blinov was a Russian actor.
Blinov started his acting career in the 1920s and quickly rose to prominence due to his remarkable talent as a stage actor. He was known for his emotive performances and nuanced portrayals of complex characters. Blinov was a regular performer at the Moscow Art Theatre and his performances in plays such as Anton Chekhov's "The Cherry Orchard" and Maxim Gorky's "The Lower Depths" earned him critical acclaim.
However, Blinov's career was cut short when he was drafted into the Soviet army during World War II. He served as a front-line soldier and fought in the Battle of Stalingrad. Blinov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner for his bravery in the battle. Sadly, he was killed in action at the age of 34.
Despite his short career, Blinov is remembered as one of the greatest actors in Russian theater history. His legacy lives on, as he continues to inspire generations of actors with his powerful performances and dedication to his craft.
Boris Blinov was born into a family of actors, and his father was a well-known theater director. Blinov's exposure to the theater from a young age sparked his interest in acting. He graduated from the drama school at the Moscow Art Theatre in 1929, where he studied under Konstantin Stanislavski, the founder of the method approach to acting.
In addition to his stage work, Blinov also acted in several Soviet films, including "The Great Citizen" and "The Return of Maxim". He was known for his ability to convey complex emotions through subtle gestures and facial expressions, and his performances left a lasting impression on audiences.
Blinov's tragic death at a young age was a great loss to the Russian theater community. However, his contributions to Russian culture and the performing arts continue to be celebrated to this day, cementing his legacy as a true icon of the stage.
Daniil Sagal (October 27, 1909 Dnipropetrovsk-July 18, 2002 Moscow) also known as D. Sagal or Daniil Lvovich Sagal was a Russian actor.
He began his acting career in the late 1920s and quickly rose to fame in the film industry of the Soviet Union. Sagal was known for his dramatic and powerful performances, often portraying characters with strong moral convictions. He appeared in more than 150 films and was a popular choice for leading roles. In addition to his work in film, Sagal also starred in numerous productions on the stage. He was a recipient of many prestigious awards for his contributions to Soviet cinema, including the Stalin Prize and the People's Artist of the USSR. Later in his career, Sagal also worked as a director and a teacher, passing on his knowledge and experience to the next generation of actors. His legacy continues to influence the Russian theater and film industry to this day.
In the early years of his career, Sagal was a member of the famous Moscow Art Theatre, where he worked alongside renowned actors such as Konstantin Stanislavski and Vasily Kachalov. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, he starred in several popular films such as "Chapaev" and "The Return of Maxim". During World War II, Sagal served in the Red Army as a soldier and later as a war correspondent. He returned to the film industry after the war and continued to produce memorable performances on screen.
Sagal was also known for his dedication to promoting the arts and supporting emerging talents. In the 1960s, he founded the Moscow Film School, where he taught acting classes and trained aspiring young actors. Many of his students went on to become successful actors themselves, including Yevgeny Leonov and Natalya Fateeva.
Despite facing censorship and political pressures during the Soviet era, Sagal remained true to his ideals and continued to produce thought-provoking works throughout his career. His contributions to the world of Russian theater and film have earned him a place as one of the most respected and beloved actors in the history of Soviet cinema.
Yvan Kyrlya (March 17, 1909 Mari El-July 1, 1943 Sernursky District) also known as Iywan Kyrlja or Kirill Ivanovich Ivanov was a Russian actor and poet.
Born in Mari El, Russia, Yvan Kyrlya was a talented artist from a young age. He began his career as an actor in various theatre productions before making his film debut in the 1933 movie "The Great Citizen". Kyrlya quickly gained recognition and became known for his notable performances in the films "Chapaev" (1934), "The Return of Maxim" (1937), and "Michurin" (1949).
Aside from his acting career, Kyrlya was also a gifted poet. He published several collections of his poems during his lifetime and was a member of the All-Union Writers' Union.
Tragically, Kyrlya's life was cut short when he was executed by the Nazis in 1943 during World War II. However, his legacy lived on and he posthumously received various awards including the Stalin Prize in 1946 for his contribution to the Soviet film industry. Today, he is remembered as one of Russia's greatest actors and poets.
In addition to his successful career as an actor, Yvan Kyrlya was known for his activism in promoting the arts. He was a member of the organizing committee for the 1st All-Union Conference of Partisan and Underground Writers, which took place in Moscow in April 1942. Kyrlya was also involved in the publication of the underground literary journal "Trudovaya Moskva", which aimed to provide a platform for writers who were banned from publishing by Soviet authorities. Despite the risks associated with these activities, Kyrlya continued to advocate for artistic freedom until his untimely death. He remains a symbol of courage and artistic integrity in the face of adversity.
Zbigniew Koczanowicz (October 5, 1909 Moscow-October 26, 1987 Warsaw) was a Russian actor.
Koczanowicz began his acting career in the 1930s, performing in a variety of theatrical productions and films in the Soviet Union. He later moved to Poland, where he continued to work as an actor in both film and theater. Koczanowicz was particularly known for his performances in historical dramas and war films, and he was widely regarded as one of Poland's top actors during the post-World War II period. In addition to his acting work, Koczanowicz was also a successful director, having helmed several productions for the stage. He was awarded numerous honors for his contributions to Polish culture, including the prestigious Order of Polonia Restituta. Today, Koczanowicz is remembered as a distinguished artist whose career spanned more than five decades.
Despite being born in Moscow, Koczanowicz identified himself as a Pole and maintained his Polish nationality throughout his life. He was fluent in both Russian and Polish, which allowed him to work in both countries throughout his career. Koczanowicz's talent and versatility as an actor earned him critical acclaim, and he received several awards and nominations for his performances in films such as "The Teutonic Knights" (1960) and "Stawka wieksza niz zycie" (1967). He also acted in theater productions, including many plays at the Teatr Narodowy in Warsaw, where he became a beloved member of the company. Koczanowicz was known for his strong stage presence and commanding voice. He was married to actress Janina Sokolowska, who frequently acted alongside him on stage and screen. Despite his success as an actor, Koczanowicz remained humble and dedicated to his craft, saying that he never stopped learning and improving as a performer.
Kote Daushvili (May 16, 1909 Baku-July 5, 1980) also known as Konstantin Davidovich Daushvili or Konstantin Daushvili was a Russian actor.
Daushvili was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He started his acting career on stage during his teenage years and later went on to work in films. He appeared in more than 60 films throughout his career, and was known for his roles in the films "The Fall of Berlin," "The Unforgettable Year 1919," and "Fire, Water, and Brass Pipes."
Daushvili also worked in the theatre for many years, including at the Moscow Art Theatre and the Maly Theatre. He was known for his versatility as an actor and his ability to play a wide range of roles. In addition to his work on stage and in films, Daushvili also worked as a voice actor, dubbing foreign films and cartoons into Russian.
Despite his success, Daushvili faced persecution during the Soviet era. He was expelled from the Communist Party in the 1950s and had difficulty finding work for several years. However, he continued to act and eventually regained his popularity. He died in Moscow in 1980 at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented actors of his time.
Daushvili's career began in the 1920s when he became a member of the Azerbaijan State Academic Drama Theatre. Later in the 1930s, he moved to Moscow, where he studied at the Vakhtangov Theatre School. Throughout his career, he worked with some of the most prominent directors of the time, including Sergei Eisenstein and Grigori Kozintsev.
Despite his political woes, Daushvili was recognized for his contributions to Soviet cinema and was awarded the Stalin Prize in 1951 for his performance in the film "The Fall of Berlin". He was also awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1966.
Additionally, Daushvili was known for his philanthropic efforts. He donated a significant portion of his wealth to the construction of the Moscow Oncology Center, which was named after him posthumously.
Today, Daushvili is remembered as one of the most accomplished actors of the Soviet era and is celebrated for his rare talent and unforgettable performances.
Arkadi Tsinman (March 1, 1909 Riga-May 19, 1985 Moscow) also known as Arkadi Mikhailovich Tsinman, Aaron Izrailevich Tsinman or Aaron Tsinman was a Russian actor.
During his career, Tsinman appeared in over 50 films, including the popular Soviet movies "The Circus" and "Volga-Volga". He was also noted for his work in theatre, performing in productions staged by the Moscow Art Theatre and the Central Children's Theatre. In addition to his work on stage and screen, Tsinman was an accomplished voice actor, dubbing foreign-language films and cartoons for the Soviet audience. Tsinman was honored with the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1974 for his contributions to the performing arts. Despite facing some government censorship during his career, Tsinman remained a respected figure in the Soviet film industry and is remembered as one of the country's most talented and beloved actors.
Born into a Jewish family, Tsinman grew up in Latvia and studied at the Riga Drama Studio before moving to Moscow to pursue his acting career. His breakthrough role came in 1936 when he played a clown in the film "The Circus". This role earned him widespread recognition and he went on to star in several popular films throughout the 1930s and 40s.
During World War II, Tsinman served as an entertainer for the Soviet troops and performed in front-line concerts. He also acted in patriotic films that were produced to boost morale during the war.
In addition to his acting career, Tsinman was also a teacher, working as a professor at the Russian State Institute of Performing Arts. He mentored several young actors, including the renowned actress Lyudmila Gurchenko.
Tsinman was married twice and had two children. His son Yury Tsinman is a well-known film director and producer who has worked on several acclaimed documentaries.
Today, Tsinman's legacy lives on through his numerous film and theater performances, as well as his contributions to the development of Russian cinema.
Ivan Kuznetsov (June 7, 1909 Saratov-August 23, 1976 Moscow) also known as Ivan Nikolayevich Kuznetsov or I. Kuznetsov was a Russian actor.
He graduated from the Moscow Art Theatre School and began his acting career in 1930 at the Maly Theatre in Moscow. Kuznetsov's talent was quickly recognized and he became a leading actor in Soviet films starting in the late 1930s.
One of his most famous roles was as the character Fyodor in the 1958 film version of Fyodor Dostoevsky's famous novel "The Brothers Karamazov". He was also known for his roles in other popular films such as "The Cranes Are Flying" (1957) and "Ballad of a Soldier" (1959).
Kuznetsov was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1965 for his outstanding contributions to Soviet cinema. He also continued to perform on stage throughout his career, including at the Moscow Art Theatre.
In addition to his acting career, Kuznetsov was known for his work as a dubbing actor. He voiced the character of Captain Ahab in the famous Soviet animated film "The Golden Key" (1961).
Kuznetsov passed away in 1976 and was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
Kuznetsov was married to the actress Zoya Fedorova, who also appeared in several films. Their son, Nikolay Kuznetsov, followed in their footsteps and became an actor as well. Interestingly, Kuznetsov was an avid photographer and his photos were exhibited at various exhibitions in the Soviet Union. He was also known to be a big fan of football and was an active supporter of the Moscow Spartak team. In recognition of his contribution to Soviet cinema, a monument was erected in his honor in Saratov, his birthplace.
Loda Niemirzanka (November 23, 1909 Warsaw-August 14, 1984 London) a.k.a. Leokadia Niemira was a Russian actor and dancer.
She began her career in the 1920s, performing in cabarets and theaters in Warsaw. After the outbreak of World War II, she fled to the Soviet Union and became a member of the Red Army's Song and Dance Ensemble. Niemirzanka soon gained popularity for her performances, and in 1944 she was nominated for the Stalin Prize for her role in the musical film "The Swineherd-Shepherd".
After the war, Niemirzanka returned to Poland and continued her career in film and theater. Her most notable performances include the title role in "Brylanty pani Zuzy" (1958) and the role of Mrs. Lubicz in "Nikt nie woła" (1960). In the 1960s, Niemirzanka became a frequent guest on television shows and game shows in Poland.
In 1968, Niemirzanka emigrated to the United Kingdom and continued her career in theater and film. She appeared in several British television series, including "Rising Damp" and "The Duchess of Duke Street". Niemirzanka also worked as a voice-over artist for several animated series, including "The Magic Roundabout". She retired in the early 1980s and died in London in 1984.
Niemirzanka's talent was not only limited to acting and dancing. She was also an accomplished singer and songwriter. In fact, she composed and sang several songs in her films. Her performances were always characterized by a unique blend of humor, charisma, and charm. Niemirzanka was also known for her generosity towards her fellow actors and colleagues. Despite facing many challenges in her life, she remained positive and continued to pursue her passion for the arts. Niemirzanka's legacy continues to inspire aspiring artists in Poland and around the world.
Sergo Zakariadze (July 18, 1909 Baku-April 13, 1971 Tbilisi) also known as Sergo Sakariadse, S. Zakariadze, Serghej Zakhariadze, Sergei Zakharyadze, Sergo, Sergo Aleksandrovich Zakariadze or Sergo Zaqariadze was a Russian actor.
He studied at the Moscow Art Theatre and became known for his stage work before transitioning to film. Zakariadze acted in more than 40 films, including the Soviet classics "Amphibian Man" and "The Cranes Are Flying," both directed by Mikhail Kalatozov. He was awarded the Order of Lenin for his contribution to Soviet cinema. Zakariadze was also a veteran of World War II, serving in the Soviet Army as a captain and receiving multiple military honors for his bravery in battle.
In addition to his successful acting career, Sergo Zakariadze was also a prominent theatre director. He worked as a director at the Rustaveli Theatre in Tbilisi, Georgia for several years, and was known for his innovative and dynamic productions. Zakariadze was admired by his colleagues for his dedication to the craft of acting and his ability to inspire others. He was married to actress Natalia Medvedeva, who also appeared in several films with him. Zakariadze's legacy as a talented actor and director continues to be remembered and celebrated in the world of Russian and Soviet cinema.
Zdzisław Mrożewski (May 21, 1909 Włocławek-July 5, 2002 Warsaw) a.k.a. Z. Morzewski or Zdzislaw Mrozewski was a Russian actor. He had one child, Andrzej Mrozewski.
Zdzisław Mrożewski was one of the most prominent actors of the post-war era in Poland. He started his acting career in the 1930s and worked in theatres across the country for many years before transitioning into film. He appeared in over 100 films and TV series during his illustrious career.
Some of his most notable film roles include appearances in movies like "Kanal" (1956), "Ashes and Diamonds" (1958), and "Knife in the Water" (1962), among others. Mrożewski was known for his versatility and ability to take on a wide range of roles.
Apart from his acting career, Mrożewski was also active in the cultural and social life of Poland. He was a member of the communist party and served as a member of the Sejm (Polish parliament) for several years. He was also a vocal proponent of socialist policies and was involved in various social and humanitarian initiatives.
Mrożewski passed away in 2002 at the age of 93. He was widely mourned by his fans and colleagues in the film and theatre industry. His legacy as one of the most iconic actors of his generation in Poland continues to inspire young actors and filmmakers today.
Mrożewski was born in Włocławek, Poland, a city located in the northern part of the country, and began his acting career in the 1930s. He started out as a theatre actor and his early performances were received with critical acclaim. His work eventually caught the attention of film directors, and he made his on-screen debut in 1948 in the film "Zakazane Piosenki" (Forbidden Songs).
Apart from his work in film and theatre, Mrożewski was also a prominent figure in Poland's cultural scene. He was a member of the Polish Actors' Association and served on the board of the Polish Writers' Union. Mrozewski also taught acting at the National Film School in Łódź, one of the most prestigious film schools in Europe.
Despite being a member of the Communist party, Mrożewski was not afraid to speak out against the government when he disagreed with their policies. He was frequently involved in discussions surrounding the role of artists in society and the censorship of artistic expression.
Mrożewski remained active well into his 80s, continuing to perform in films and on stage. He received numerous awards for his contribution to Polish culture, including the Order of Polonia Restituta, one of the country's highest civilian honors. Today, Mrożewski is remembered as one of the most talented and influential actors in Polish history.
Janis Grantins (June 7, 1909 Riga-October 25, 1974 Riga) was a Russian actor.
Born in Riga, Latvia, Janis Grantins started his acting career in Leningrad's Avangard Theatre in the 1920s. He quickly rose to fame for his nuanced and intense character portrayals on stage and went on to become one of the leading actors of Soviet cinema in the 1930s and 1940s. Grantins appeared in some of the most iconic films of the era, including "The Communist" (1940), "The Unforgettable Year 1919" (1951), and "The Meeting on the Elbe" (1949). He was highly respected by his peers and was often referred to as "the actor's actor." Grantins was also a member of the Communist Party and actively supported the ideals of the Soviet regime. Despite this, he managed to avoid falling out of favor during the Stalinist purges of the 1940s and continued to work in the industry until his death. Janis Grantins passed away in his hometown of Riga in 1974, leaving behind a rich legacy of performances in film, theater, and radio.
Grantins was not only a talented actor, but he was also a gifted writer. He wrote several plays and screenplays, including "The Seventh Year" (1954) and "The Young Guard" (1948). In addition to his work in the arts, Grantins was also an active member of his community. He served as a deputy in the Riga City Council and was a vocal advocate for improving the lives of workers and the working class. Despite his success and status as a prominent figure in Soviet culture, Grantins remained humble and committed to his craft until the end of his life. He is often remembered as one of the greatest actors of his time, whose performances continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.