Actor Sergei Nikonenko - personal life, biography and filmography

Biography

Sergei Nikonenko was born on April 16, 1941 to a working-class family.
Father is a driver, mother is a glassblower at an electric lamp factory. The Nikonenko family occupied a thirteen-meter room in a communal apartment on Arbat. In total, 25 people lived in the apartment. As a child, Sergei was fond of playing the accordion, loved to read poetry, sing and walk in the yard with friends. There was almost no time left for studying; the diary was full of bad grades. He never finished secondary school. The tenth grade was completed at the school for working youth. And to get there, I had to get a job as a conductor.

Sergei met the theater as a teenager. One day he found a countersign to the Mayakovsky Theater. Went to the show. Then I learned how to masterfully forge tickets (back then counterfeit stamps were written out by hand). So I reviewed the entire repertoire. Sometimes he took friends to performances.

At the age of 13, Sergei joined the drama club. He didn't think about an acting career at all. It’s just that his second love, Ira, was studying in the theater studio (the first was in kindergarten). They studied at different schools, and Sergei had no other way to spend time with his beloved. But they did not have a strong friendship. Ira quickly abandoned her studies on stage, and for Sergei Nikonenko, his teenage hobby became a profession.

The dream of entering VGIK came true easily. At the entrance exams, the commission discerned acting talent in Sergei and assigned Sergei Gerasimov to the course. It was truly a stellar workshop. Sergei Nikonenko studied together with Lydia Fedoseeva (not Shukshina then), Galina Polskikh, Nikolai Gubenko, Larisa Luzhina. On the stage of the educational theater, Sergei played almost the entire classical repertoire, and “Hamlet” was no exception.

In 1964, Nikonenko graduated from the theater department of VGIK, and in 1972, on the advice of his friend and mentor Vasily Shukshin, received a director's diploma.

Birth

Sergei Nikonenko was born in 1941, on April 16, in Moscow into a working-class family. The boy's father, Pyotr Nikanorovich, worked as a driver, and his mother, Nina Mikhailovna, worked as a glassblower at a lamp factory. The Nikonenko family lived in a communal apartment on Arbat. A family of five could hardly fit into a small room: Sergei’s parents, himself, his brother and grandmother. In total, twenty-five people lived in the communal apartment. However, such living conditions were typical for that time and did not bother anyone.

The future actor spent all his free time in the yard, where, together with the neighboring boys, he played Cossack robbers, tag and rounders. Nikonenko loved fist fights, in which he often competed with his friends. These battles had their own firm rules. The boys fought until the first blood was drawn, never hit someone who was lying down, etc.

Awards and prizes

Order of the Badge of Honor (1971);
Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1974);
Laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize (1976) - for the embodiment of images of contemporaries in cinema;
People's Artist of the RSFSR (1991) - for great services in the development of Soviet cinema;
Prize at the Constellation Film Festival in Tver (1999) for the best leading male role in the film “Classic”;
The main prize of the festival in Oberhausen for the best thesis director's work is the film "Petrukhina's Last Name";
International Literary Award named after Sergei Yesenin “O Rus', flap your wings...” in the category “Cinema, theater, television” (2010);
Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree (2001) - for his great contribution to the development of Russian cinema;
Order of Honor (2011) - for his great contribution to the development of Russian cinema;
III Transbaikal Film Festival in Chita - Special prize of the film festival “For outstanding contribution to domestic cinema.”

Based on materials from the sites: uznayvse.ru, wikipedia.org, vokrug.tv, kinopoisk.ru.

Creative skills

At school age, Sergei showed creative inclinations. He took part in reading and singing competitions and brought home medals and certificates. The boy learned to play the accordion at a local music school.

At the age of thirteen, in a pioneer camp, Nikonenko fell in love with a girl who attended a local drama club. In order to see the object of his feelings more often, Sergei himself signed up as an actor. Returning to Moscow, the boy, together with his beloved, began studying at the theater studio in the city Pioneer Palace with teacher E.V. Galkina. Passionate about acting, children began to actively visit the capital's theaters. Moreover, Sergei went to one of them for free, because he learned how to skillfully forge countermarks for performances.

The future actor studied very poorly, his diaries were full of bad marks, so the guy had to get a certificate at a school for working youth. To do this, Nikonenko got a job as a conductor. After finishing the tenth grade at evening school, Sergei fulfilled his long-time dream - he entered to study as an artist.

Filmography: Actor

Dr. Richter. New season (2019), TV series
Crimean Bridge. Made with Love (2018)
Godunov (2018), TV series
Mutiny (2018), TV series
From the Bottom of the Top (2017)
Letters on glass. Destiny (2015), TV series
Chief (2015)
Mama Lyuba (2014)
I will repay (2014)
Russian character (2014)
The Hunt to Live (2014)
Mystery of the Dark Room (2014)
Letters on Glass (2014), TV series
Sea. Mountains. Expanded clay (2014), TV series
Diamond in Chocolate (2013)
Lyudmila (TV series 2013)
No Woman's Business (2013), TV series
Stanitsa (2013), TV series
Treasures O.K. (2013)
Khmurov (2012), TV series
Long-legged and beloved (2012)
Odnoklassniki.ru: CLICK your luck (2012)
The right to truth (2012), TV series
Three Comrades (2012)
Setup (2012)
My heart - Astana (2012)
Kamenskaya 6 (2011), TV series
Bombila (2011), TV series
"Cedar" pierces the sky (2011), TV series
What Men Talk About (2010)
Pharmacist (2009), TV series
Annushka (2009), TV series
Court (2009), TV series
The hell with two (2009)
Ten Winters (2009)
Oncoming Lane (2008)
Passenger (2008)
Kamenskaya 5 (2008), TV series
Brothers (2008), TV series
One love of my soul (2007), TV series
Loser (2007)
Old Colonels (2007)
Leningrad (2007)
Leningrad (2007)
Theater of the Doomed (2006), TV series
Hunter (2006), TV series
You Won't Leave Me (2006)
Soviet period park (2006)
Love is like love (2006), TV series
A Hero of Our Time (2006), TV series
Happy birthday, queen! (2006)
Pushkin: The Last Duel (2006)
New Russian Romance (2005), TV series
Circumstantial Evidence (2005), TV series
Death of the Empire (2005), TV series
Count Krestovsky (2004), TV series
Wealth (2004), TV series
About love in any weather (2004)
Bachelors (2004), TV series
Thank You (2003)
Guys from our city (2003), TV series
Pan or Missing (2003), TV series
The Motherland is Waiting (2003)
Kamenskaya 3 (2003), TV series
Interesting Men (2003)
And in the morning they woke up (2003)
Tartarin from Tarascon (2003)
Just once... (2002)
Breed (2002)
Impossible Green Eyes (2002)
Kamenskaya 2 (2002), TV series
Savage (2002)
Rostov-Papa (2001), TV series
Holiday Romance (2001), TV series
Throwing Games (2001), TV series
I am a doll (2001)
Northern Lights (2001)
The Perfect Couple (2001), TV series
What a woman needs... (2000)
New Year in November (2000), TV series
True Incidents (2000)
Kamenskaya (1999), TV series
Chinese service (1999)
Heavenly Apple (1998)
Classic (1998)
Essay for Victory Day (1998)
Strawberry (1997), TV series
Monday's Children (1997)
Sinful Love (1997)
Starry Night in Kamergersky (1997)
Dancer Time (1997)
Old songs about the main thing-2 (1996)
Scar (1996)
Moscow Vacations (1995)
Anekdotiada, or the History of Odessa in anecdotes (1994)
The Master and Margarita (1994)
The Master and Margarita (1994)
I want to go to America (1993)
I don't want to get married! (1993)
Angels of Death (1993)
Fandango for a Monkey (1992)
Naked Heart Season (1992)
Playing for Seriousness (1992)
Time of Your Life (1992)
In Search of the Golden Phallus (1992)
Anchor, more anchor! (1992)
It's Not Scary to Die (1991)
Family Man (1991)
Brunette for 30 kopecks (1991)
Rubber Woman (1991)
KGB Agents Fall in Love Too (1991)
Rabe vumen (1991)
Vivat, midshipmen! (1991)
My People (1990)
Imp in the Rib (1990)
Inhuman, or No Hunting in Paradise (1990)
Spanish actress for the Russian minister (1990)
Moi lyudi (1990)
Red Wine of Victory (1990)
Belshazzar's feasts, or a night with Stalin (1989)
Stalingrad (1989)
Life on the Limit (1989)
As a sign of protest! (1989)
Lapta (1988)
Christmas trees!.. (1988)
Citizen Runaway (1988)
Bread is a noun (1988), TV series
Empowered by Revolution (1987)
Jura, Hunter of Minarhar (1987)
Purple Ball (1987)
About love, friendship and fate (1987)
Tomorrow there was a war (1987)
Jump (1986)
Wasn't there (1986)
Extra Arrives on Second Track (1986)
The Wedding is Blamed (1986)
Alien Ship (1985)
Paycheck to Paycheck (1985)
Winter evening in Gagra (1985)
Sun in your pocket (1984)
Lyubochka (1984)
If You Can, Forgive... (1984)
Planet Parade (1984)
I love. I am waiting. Lena (1983)
Lethargy (1983)
Traffic Inspector (1983)
Date (1982)
Sixth (1981)
Gypsy Happiness (1981)
Bachelors (1980)
Youth. Issue 3 (1980)
April Dreams (1980)
You Must Live (1980)
Late Dates (1980)
Shattered Sky (1979)
Theme (1979)
Married for the first time (1979)
Don't part with your loved ones (1979)
Unrequited Love (1979)
Father Sergius (1979)
While the Dream Goes Wild (1978)
The Dawns Kiss (1978)
Walking Through Torment (1977), TV series
Vesnukhin's Fantasies (1976)
Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano (1976)
Our Debts (1976)
Tryn-grass (1976)
There, beyond the horizon (1975)
Waves of the Black Sea (1975)
Taking Over (1975)
Countrymen (1974)
Birds over the city (1974)
Beyond the Clouds is the Sky (1973)
Marble House (1972)
Petrukhina surname (1971)
Sing a song, poet... (1971)
Hold on to the Clouds (1971)
A Quiet Day at the End of the War (1970)
Red Square (1970)
Four in a Car (1970)
Strange People (1970)
Golden Gate (1969)
Crime and Punishment (1969)
White Explosion (1969)
Liberation: Breakthrough (1969)
Out of Judgment (1969)
Nobles' Nest (1969)
... And I'm leaving home (1968)
Liberation: Arc of Fire (1968)
Commissioner (1967)
Stars and Soldiers (1967)
Nikolai Bauman (1967)
Journalist (1967)
War and Peace: 1812 (1967)
These Are Quiet Places (1967)
Wings (1966)
Darling (1966)
They're calling, open the door (1965)
War and Peace (1965)
Black Business (1965)
Peacetime (1964)
So I Came (1964)
Shurka chooses the sea (1963)
Newton Street, house 1 (1963)
It Happened at the Police Station (1963)
Men and Beasts (1962)
Life First (1961)
The Heart Does Not Forgive (1961)

Director:

The Hunt to Live (2014)
Annushka (2009), TV series
And in the morning they woke up (2003)
Holiday Romance (2001), TV series
I want to go to America (1993)
I don't want to get married! (1993)
I want your husband (1992)
Family Man (1991)
Brunette for 30 kopecks (1991)
Christmas trees!.. (1988)
Alien Ship (1985)
I love. I am waiting. Lena (1983)
Gypsy Happiness (1981)
The Dawns Kiss (1978)
Tryn-grass (1976)
Birds over the city (1974)
Petrukhina surname (1971)

Screenwriter:

The Hunt to Live (2014)
And in the morning they woke up (2003)
I want your husband (1992)
Christmas trees!.. (1988)
I love. I am waiting. Lena (1983)
Gypsy Happiness (1981)
Petrukhina surname (1971)

Producer:

Heavenly Apple (1998)

Movies

In 1964, Nikonenko received a diploma and set off to conquer the heights of theatrical art. But soon the cinema “kidnapped” the artist from the stage. A cinematic biography of Sergei Nikonenko started long before graduating from VGIK, in 1961. The first, albeit episodic, roles turned out to be a good start.

Sergei Nikonenko in the film “It Happened at the Police”

In 1963, Nikonenko was offered serious film work for the first time. It was a film directed by Vilen Azarov, “It Happened at the Police.” The young actor managed to play a supporting role in such a way that he overshadowed the main character. After the release of the film, Sergei Petrovich Nikonenko was bombarded with offers from directors.

Looking ahead, we can say that at the moment Sergei Nikonenko’s filmography includes more than 220 films and TV series with his participation.

Sergei Nikonenko in the film “They’re calling, open the door”

The brightest and most popular films with the participation of Sergei Nikonenko, shot during the second half of the 1960s, are “They are calling, open the door” by Alexander Mitta and “The Journalist” by Sergei Gerasimov. The actor himself identified his best roles in the films “And Tomorrow There Was War” and “Classic”.

Later, domestic film fans enjoyed watching the artist’s performance in the wonderful films “Anchor, More Anchor!”, “Monday’s Children” and “Traffic Inspector.” In the last film - the drama of Eldar Urazbayev - viewers saw the wonderful acting duet of Sergei Nikonenko and Nikita Mikhalkov.

Sergei Nikonenko in the film “Traffic Inspector”

Critics agree that the images created by the two artists in this film are the best of their careers. Nikonenko played the unbendingly honest and incorruptible traffic police inspector Zykin, and Mikhalkov played the director of a car service center, the master of Trunov’s life. The film was released in 1982 and immediately became a hit.

In the new century, Sergei Nikonenko also managed to find himself. Viewers saw their favorite artist in such top-rated series as “Kamenskaya”, “Count Krestovsky” and “Death of the Empire”.

Sergei Nikonenko as Sergei Yesenin in the film “Sing a Song, Poet...”

In addition to acting, Sergei Petrovich is involved in directing. In 1972 he received a second diploma - director. He did this on the advice of Vasily Shukshin. Nikonenko has 15 full-length films to his credit, the most famous of which are “Tryn-grass”, “And in the morning they woke up” and “I want to go to America”.

Since 1994, actor and director Sergei Nikonenko has been working as director of the Yeseninsky Cultural Center in the capital.

Love that lasts forever...

While receiving his second higher education, he met Ekaterina Voronina. A strict, beautiful and rather cold girl from an Old Believer family towards strangers. Sergei began to actively court her, but Katya was unapproachable, he invited her to the theater, but she went there on the condition that she would pay for everything herself. It was not even possible to treat her to cake in the dining room. The beauty did not allow herself to be treated under any pretext. It took him a whole year to get just one kiss from her. When everything happened, Katya was discouraged.

kulturologia.ru

The “armor” was asleep, and she didn’t know what to do next. But Nikonenko knew - the registry office and endless happiness together. And so it happened. The very next day they submitted an application, and three months later they became husband and wife. Catherine gave him the main gift in life - she gave birth to a wonderful son, Nikanor.

youtube.com

Housing problem

But the communal apartment and 27 neighbors have not disappeared anywhere. Of course, living with a child in your arms and counting 62 steps from the kitchen to the room every time was, to put it mildly, tiring. Sergei asked to be patient, and his wife Ekaterina was patient. As a result, they resettled all their neighbors and got a large, spacious apartment at their disposal. And later Sergei Petrovich admitted to his wife that he lives in two houses. And he immediately added that both of these houses are her property. He built a huge house secretly from his wife so that the whole family could go there. Happiness knew no bounds! They have been together with Ekaterina Voronina for 45 years.

Nikanor Nikonenko with his son Peter, sobesednik.ru

Oncology

Suddenly, trouble arose for his family. Six months after giving birth, their son’s wife, Vera, began to have severe headaches; examination revealed a malignant brain tumor. The actor began to take his relative to the most expensive, best medical institutions, but the doctors’ forecasts were not encouraging. She only has a year left to live. The family rallied, but fate was inexorable. Instead of one, the daughter-in-law lived for three years, but still left her little son Petya.

The grandson stayed to live with his grandparents, and his father remarried. As a child, every time he came to his mother’s grave, Petya kissed her portrait, leaving her his letters and cars as a gift. Nikanor often meets with his son and at the same time raises his daughter Ekaterina from his second marriage. When Sergei Petrovich was asked what he could wish for his younger self, if it were possible, he immediately replied: “Please be patient, don’t get involved with anyone, wait for Katya!”

I can't do it any other way!

Tatyana Guryanova, AiF. Health”: Sergei Petrovich, many actors of your generation complain about their lack of demand. You are in the thick of life. What helps to be on horseback?

Sergey Nikonenko: I can’t do otherwise! Believe, hope, love! And go forward - this is how our teachers Sergei Apollinarievich Gerasimov and Tamara Fedorovna Makarova taught us at VGIK. Even now I compare a lot of things in my life by their standards.

– But such a busy life requires strength! How do you negotiate with age?

- And I try not to notice him. If I have time, I work out in my fitness corner, play billiards and ping-pong with my grandson - fortunately, conditions allow (the actor lives in a large country house. - Ed.). Well, work, of course, keeps me in shape. Now I’m filming an 8-episode film “Mutiny”, which centers on the events of the Civil War. In the film, I am the father of a family who is killed at the barricade by his son (played by Pavel Tabakov ). A 12-hour shift passes in one breath...

The eyes are afraid, but the hands do

– You not only act in films, but also go on stage. I recently saw you in the play “California Express”. Wasn’t it scary to take on the role that Rostislav Plyatt once brilliantly played in the legendary play “Next - Silence”, the stage version of which is the current performance?

- There is a good saying about this: “The eyes fear, but the hands do.” I was scared 20 years ago, when I first appeared on the Lenkom stage together with Lena Shanina and Dima Kharatyan in the play “Nina”. That's when I shook like a leaf. Is it a joke: at the age of 55, already being a people's artist, to find yourself a newcomer, risking getting into a puddle?

- Well, why didn’t you sit down?

– Already from the third rehearsal I realized: I like it. Unlike cinema, you can improvise on stage: the number of performances you perform, the number of takes you get. We actors don't have that luxury on the set.

And in the theater I have a partner - the auditorium. And if I see that the viewer is laughing or crying, if he is applauding, I no longer need to read journalists’ reviews. By the way, the “California Express” hall you mentioned was received very warmly. With this performance about love and compassion, we are trying to awaken the human element in people. And, in my opinion, we are succeeding.