Biography
Vyacheslav Vasilyevich Tikhonov was born not far from Moscow in the town of Pavlovsky Posad on February 8, 1928. The family lived in a two-story wooden house with their grandparents. Father Vasily Romanovich was a mechanic by profession, but worked as a worker at a weaving factory. Mother Valentina Vyacheslavovna worked as a teacher in a kindergarten.
In 1941, the Great Patriotic War began, at which time Vyacheslav was barely 13 years old. His home school turned into a military hospital, and he himself entered a vocational school to specialize in turning. After training, the guy began working at a factory in his specialty, fulfilling military orders and thereby making his contribution to the Great Victory.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov
The young years of the future actor were overshadowed by volleys of explosions and the sound of gunfire, but this could not kill his childhood dream of becoming an actor. Since childhood, Tikhonov has been fascinated by on-screen movie characters: Chapaev played by Boris Babochkin, Nikolai Cherkasov as Alexander Nevsky and others. In 1944, Tikhonov was enrolled in a preparatory course at the Automechanical Institute, but already in 1945, VGIK teacher Boris Bibikov accepted the young man as his student.
Movies
Three years after entering VGIK, the young actor made his television debut. His premiere role was the role of Volodya Osmukhin in the film “Young Guard” directed by Sergei Gerasimov. After receiving his diploma in 1950, Vyacheslav was invited to play in the film “Peaceful Days” directed by Vladimir Brown. With the release of this film, invitations to film began to arrive much more often.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov in the film “It Was About Penkov”
In the same year, Vyacheslav Tikhonov’s theatrical debut took place. The stage of the Film Actor's Studio Theater was the first theatrical stage on which the future star set foot. The actor's theatrical career lasted seven years, after which he was hired for a permanent job at the Maxim Gorky Film Studio. This is what influenced Tikhonov’s decision to finally leave the theater and concentrate all his efforts on cinematic work.
Since the late 60s, Vyacheslav Tikhonov has appeared on screens in the images of real Russian intellectuals. The first in this way can be called the role of a history teacher in the lyrical film “We'll Live Until Monday.” The main roles in this poignant film, which has become a cult favorite, were played by Tikhonov and Irina Pechernikova. The film gave an excellent start to young artists Olga Ostroumova, Igor Starygin and Olga Zhizneva.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov in the film “We’ll Live Until Monday”
A number of “aristocratic” images of Tikhonov were continued by Prince Andrei Bolkonsky in the film “War and Peace”. The actor became a prince with the light hand of the then Minister of Culture Ekaterina Furtseva, who treated Vyacheslav Vasilyevich very warmly. But according to him, this role literally devastated him over four years of filming, because he had to enter into the image of a person who was in many ways incomprehensible to the artist.
Another noble character of Vyacheslav Tikhonov is a writer, the hero of the poignant film “White Beam, Black Ear.”
Vyacheslav Tikhonov in the film “White Bim, Black Ear”
The following years were truly “stellar” in the actor’s career. During this time, such legendary films as “Carousel”, “Seventeen Moments of Spring” and “They Fought for the Motherland” were released with his participation. Vyacheslav Tikhonov played a huge range of roles: from princes to intelligence officers, from a school teacher to a KGB officer.
In the television comedy “Carousel” by Mikhail Schweitzer, based on the works of Anton Chekhov, the director assembled a constellation of Soviet artists. In addition to Tikhonov, Zhanna Bolotova, Vladimir Basov, Evgeny Leonov and Leonid Kuravlev starred here.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov was lucky to meet the brilliant Zhanna Bolotova once again in the filmed play “The Weasel,” which was also based on the work of A.P. Chekhov.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov in the film “Seventeen Moments of Spring”
But real, deafening and loud fame fell on Tikhonov after the release of Tatiana Lioznova’s 12-episode film “Seventeen Moments of Spring,” where Vyacheslav Vasilyevich appeared in the image of intelligence officer Isaev-Stirlitz. The film premiered in August 1973. This was the most triumphant year in Tikhonov’s biography. The fee for the role turned out to be quite modest by today's standards: only 5,500 Soviet rubles.
Looking ahead, let's say that Vyacheslav Tikhonov himself was not very happy about his success in this film, because for many he was now “Stirlitz” and no one else. And the 81-year-old artist reacted sharply negatively to the release of the color version of the film in the spring of 2009, because Lioznova initially planned to shoot the film in black and white.
The film brought fame to all participants in the filming process: the audience idolized Leonid Bronevoy, Oleg Tabakov, Evgeny Evstigneev, Ekaterina Gradova and Vasily Lanovoy.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov in the film “They drove a chest of drawers through the streets”
But the artist’s creative path, despite successes and triumphs, was by no means strewn with roses: bright external characteristics, which, it would seem, in the acting field of activity should have become a huge plus, turned into a minus for Tikhonov. The strict ideological machine of the USSR considered his appearance too “non-Russian”, too “aristocratic”. Therefore, the actor had to prove again and again that Vyacheslav Tikhonov is a brilliant professional, a “character” actor and the most Russian by nationality.
In 1978, the only comedy role appeared in the actor’s piggy bank - the role of the owner of a chest of drawers in the film by Mark Genin “They took a chest of drawers through the streets.”
In the late seventies, Vyacheslav Tikhonov became the television voice of the Secretary General in the documentary trilogy “Malaya Zemlya” based on the memoirs of L.I. Brezhnev. The desire to hear these memoirs performed by Tikhonov came from Leonid Ilyich himself. From 1989 to 2009, Vyacheslav Vasilyevich was the artistic head of the TPS “Kino Actor”.
Lyubov Polishchuk and Vyacheslav Tikhonov in the film “Love with Privileges”
The finale of the 80s was marked by the release of the dramatic 2-part film “Love with Privileges”, in which Vyacheslav Tikhonov and Lyubov Polishchuk brilliantly conveyed the spirit of the perestroika era. Tikhonov reincarnated as a high-ranking pensioner Kozhemyakin, who, while on vacation in a closed sanatorium, met a young beautiful woman who became his wife. The drama occurs when Irina (Lyubov Polishchuk) learns about her husband’s role in the terrible fate of her repressed and subsequently executed father.
The time of perestroika turned into an unbearable burden for Tikhonov. The collapse of the ideals that determined the course of his entire life and the change of ideology turned out to be too heavy a psychological burden for the actor. During this period, he does not have such bright roles as he had before. And this is not evidence that he was no longer appreciated as an artist. Rather, the lack of significant roles in that era suggests that Vyacheslav Tikhonov himself ceased to value cinema as part of ideology.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov in the film “Burnt by the Sun”
According to Sergei Solovyov, the artist could not accept the new time, he even refused to conduct an acting workshop at the famous VGIK. During these years, Vyacheslav Tikhonov did not act very much and mainly in minor roles. He appeared in Nikita Mikhalkov's drama "Burnt by the Sun", in Dmiry Astrakhan's series "Waiting Room", in the film "Berlin Express". But, according to biographer Natalia Korneeva, he no longer received the same satisfaction from working on the set; changes in society caused the artist extreme discomfort. He refused many offered roles, not wanting to play stealing swindlers, corrupt deputies and drunken generals.
Only in 1998 did Tikhonov’s career take on a role that came to his heart. In the grotesque film “Essay for Victory Day,” directed by Sergei Ursulyak, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Oleg Efremov and Mikhail Ulyanov play front-line veterans who are not satisfied with the reality of modern “new Russia”, and they fly away wherever they look on an airplane. Vyacheslav Tikhonov expressed his attitude to the current state of affairs and the social system with this role.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov in the film “Demons”
Another striking image is the role of Tikhon in the film based on the novel by F. Dostoevsky “Demons”. The actor’s last appearance on television was Eldar Ryazanov’s film “Andersen. Life without love”, in which Vyacheslav Tikhonov played God.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov was a bright personality, the highest professional and simply a wonderful person. He is the People's Artist of the USSR, Hero of Socialist Labor, laureate of several national awards, awarded many orders - in ordinary life he was a simple person, without stellar aspirations. A documentary film by his close friend, film director Stanislav Rostotsky, “Profession – Film Actor,” is dedicated to Tikhonov. An entire generation grew up watching Vyacheslav Vasilyevich’s roles, and his movie characters still delight audiences today.
In recent years, the great actor lived at his dacha on Nikolina Gora, avoiding noisy society. Journalists nicknamed him the “great hermit” because of his reluctance to communicate with the press and his “not traveling” way of life. The actor’s best friends had long since passed away, and Vyacheslav Tikhonov whiled away his time alone in front of the TV, rewatching his film works and plunging into the past.
Theater
Vyacheslav Tikhonov did not become a theater star, although there were all the prerequisites for this. At the Film Actor's Studio Theatre, where he worked for ten years, the directors used mainly the artist's striking external characteristics, without revealing his creative capabilities. But Tikhonov still managed to loudly declare his talent by playing the Bear in the play “An Ordinary Miracle” staged by Erast Pavlovich Garin based on the play by E.L. Shvarts. Another notable theatrical work of the aspiring actor was Chekhov’s “The Jumper,” where he played the role of Ryabovsky.
Personal life
Vyacheslav Tikhonov did not like excessive attention to his personal life and always tried to keep this side of his biography in the shadows, away from prying eyes. Nevertheless, colleagues and biographers told journalists about several women who played a key role in the life of Vyacheslav Tikhonov. His novels became public, because it is impossible for a star to hide them from millions of fans.
According to some reports, the great artist’s first love was Yulia Rossiyskaya, whom Tikhonov met during his school years. Rumor has it that their close relationship lasted three years, and their friendly relationship lasted a lifetime.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov and Nonna Mordyukova
But Vyacheslav Tikhonov married not Yulia, but the famous Nonna Mordyukova, whom he met at VGIK, and then starred in “Young Guard”. The marriage was registered while still a student. Nonna Mordyukova was the artist’s wife for thirteen years and gave birth to his first child, Volodya. Vladimir Tikhonov died at the age of 40: this was due to his addiction to drugs and alcohol.
The parting with Nonna Mordyukova was entirely in the spirit of Vyacheslav Tikhonov - intelligent and without unnecessary scandals. The couple broke up, according to some sources, because of Mordyukova’s betrayal, according to others, Tikhonov himself fell in love. The object of his love turned out to be the beautiful actress from Riga Dzidra Ritenbergs. Their romance, they say, lasted four years, but Dzidra preferred his colleague Evgeniy Urbansky to Vyacheslav, whom she married.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov with his second wife Tamara
The artist’s second wife was translator Tamara Ivanovna, whom he met during the dubbing of the French film “A Man and a Woman,” and while working on the film “We’ll Live Until Monday,” their marriage took place. Vyacheslav Tikhonov spent 42 years of his life in this relationship. The couple had a daughter, Anya, who, after receiving a diploma from VGIK, became an actress and producer.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov with his daughter Anna and grandchildren
Anna Tikhonova gave her father two grandchildren - twins Vyacheslav and Georgy.
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They say that Tikhonov caught Mordyukova with another man. After the divorce, Tikhonov did not communicate with Nonna Viktorovna, and only on the eve of her death they managed to talk on the phone and forgive each other for previous grievances.
Illness and death
The actor, who gave people a piece of himself and his heart with each of his roles, died at the age of 81 precisely because of heart problems. In 2002, Tikhonov suffered a myocardial infarction, and in 2007 he was hospitalized due to complaints of heart pain.
At the end of November 2009, Vyacheslav Vasilyevich was taken to the Central Clinical Hospital, where he underwent surgery on the heart vessels. The operation was successful, doctors noted a tendency for his condition to improve, but the actor’s kidneys suddenly failed, and then his lungs had to be connected to artificial ventilation. On December 4, 2009, Vyacheslav Vasilyevich Tikhonov died. According to the artist’s attending physician, “the actor’s loneliness and lack of proper care played a role.”
Farewell to Vyacheslav Tikhonov
The funeral of the great artist took place on December 8, 2009. Tikhonov's funeral service was held in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. According to some information, Vyacheslav Vasilyevich bequeathed to be buried in the same grave with his son Vladimir at the Kuntsevo cemetery, but the body was interred at the Novodevichy cemetery, next to Oleg Yankovsky.
At the very end of May 2013, a majestic monument by sculptor Alexei Blagovestnov was installed on the artist’s grave.
Grave of Vyacheslav Tikhonov
In 2020, in honor of the 90th anniversary of the birth of Vyacheslav Tikhonov, a monument to the actor is planned to be opened in Pavlovsky Posad.
After her father's death, Anna Tikhonova found a large box with letters, diaries and undeveloped films in his country house. The find formed the basis of the documentary film “Heart to Heart Conversation”, released in 2014. The producer of the film was the artist’s daughter.
Interesting Facts
- The name “Vyacheslav Tikhonov” was assigned to the geophysical exploration research vessel.
- In 1945, Vyacheslav Tikhonov tried to enter VGIK, but was refused because the commission considered his appearance “unphotogenic.”
- According to a survey by the magazine "Soviet Screen" in 1966, Vyacheslav Tikhonov was recognized as the best actor.
- For filming in the GDR, Vyacheslav Tikhonov had to take 100 white shirts, since a costume designer was not hired abroad to save the budget, and there was no one to do the laundry.
- Vyacheslav Tikhonov worked on the role of Stirlitz at the capital's Vnukovo airport. He claimed that he could think better in the waiting room at night. According to unconfirmed reports, on one of these nights he came up with a proposal to insert into the picture an episode of Isaev’s meeting with his wife.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov as Stirlitz
- The artist called his best work in cinema the role of Matvey in the film “It Was About Penkov.”
- Sergei Bondarchuk saw Innokenty Smoktunovsky in the role of Prince Bolkonsky in War and Peace. After his refusal, the role was offered to Oleg Strizhenov, but he was busy with another project and also refused. Then Ekaterina Furtseva proposed Tikhonov’s candidacy to Bondarchuk.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov as Andrei Bolkonsky
- In his youth, a tattoo in the form of the word “Glory” appeared on Vyacheslav Tikhonov’s hand; throughout his subsequent life, he carefully hid it on set.
- In one of his last interviews with journalist Anna Veligzhanina, Vyacheslav Tikhonov said that he visited the Bulgarian seer Vanga. According to the artist, the woman predicted the events of the last years of his life, saying that Tikhonov would be a hermit and “will leave in December, somewhere in the 2000s.”
- Vyacheslav Tikhonov was a passionate football fan of the Spartak team. In addition, he was fond of winter fishing. The artist’s favorite literary work was the novel by L.N. Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”, and his favorite film is “Big Life”.
Interview
About the actor
Director Mark Zakharov: “One smart person said that in general you can pretend to be anyone, but you cannot pretend to be an intelligent person. Vyacheslav Vasilyevich for me is a man of the highest meaning, an intellectual of the highest flight.”
Director Sergei Solovyov: “The aristocratic beauty of the Russian character lives in him naturally. He doesn’t need any effort for this, he is himself.”
Actress Irina Pechernikova met Vyacheslav Tikhonov on the set of the film “We’ll Live Until Monday.” This is how she recalls her first meeting with the actor: “Suddenly, instead of Tikhonov himself, there turned out to be a very modest, somewhat closed, silent person with very kind eyes.”
Director Vladimir Fokin: “As far as I know, he does not allow anyone into his personal life at all, or in extremely strict doses. And, in my opinion, he does the right thing, thanks to this he remained in the eyes of his contemporaries and, I hope, his descendants as a pure, noble man.”
Actor about profession
Vyacheslav Tikhonov often recalled and quoted one of the favorite phrases of his teacher Boris Bibikov: “Don’t bother with your face,” that is, live the role, play with your soul, first of all, and not with your face. This was the advice the mentor gave to young actors. Tikhonov always remembered this lesson: “Dramaturgy makes an actor. If there is something to play in drama, you will find it in yourself, if you have it in you. If not, I’m sorry, no mirror will help, don’t bother with your face.”
Vyacheslav Tikhonov held the acting bar very high and did not betray himself and his audience. He refused to play dull roles: “I cannot deceive my viewers.”
Actor Tikhonov viewed each of his roles through the prism of his own inner world: “You have an inner critic, he helps you, his own inner director... Everything that I saw in life is natural, good and eternal in the relationship between us. Whether it was successful or not – let the viewer decide.”
Interesting Facts
Vyacheslav Tikhonov was a passionate football and hockey fan, a fan of the Moscow Spartak team. I was interested in winter fishing.
During a rehearsal for one of the scenes of the film epic “War and Peace,” a pyrotechnic bomb accidentally exploded right next to Vyacheslav Tikhonov; the actor miraculously survived.
Almost all films with the participation of Vyacheslav Tikhonov were super popular, and therefore super profitable, but the actor did not acquire any special wealth.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov is the most titled actor in the country, winner of almost all major awards.
Based on materials from the documentary film “The Last Hero. Vyacheslav Tikhonov", Wikipedia, sites Mega-Stars.ru, rusactors.ru, Kino-Teatr.ru
Filmography
- 1948 – “Young Guard”
- 1957 – “It happened in Penkov”
- 1965 – “Hero of Our Time”
- 1967 – “War and Peace”
- 1968 – “We’ll Live Until Monday”
- 1973 – “Seventeen Moments of Spring”
- 1975 – “They fought for their homeland”
- 1977 – “White Bim Black Ear”
- 1978 – “They drove a chest of drawers through the streets”
- 1984 – “TASS is authorized to declare...”
- 1989 – “Love with privileges”
- 1994 – “Burnt by the Sun”
- 2001 – “Berlin Express”
- 2006 – “Andersen. Life without love"
