Russian Hollywood actor Igor Zhizhikin: short biography, career and personal life

Biography

Igor Zhizhikin was born and raised in the north of Moscow in the Leningradka area in an ordinary family. Father - Vitaly Sergeevich Zhizhikin worked as head of the postal department of the USSR Ministry of Communications, master of sports in volleyball. Mother, Henrietta Mikhailovna, was an actress, took part in two performances of the Moscow Sovremennik Drama Theater, then worked as a researcher at the Research Institute of Patent Information.

After graduating from high school, Igor studied at the Moscow College of Communications named after V.N. Podbelsky. Then he planned to enter the Moscow Institute of Communications (MIS), but the army changed his plans.

“When I was a boy, all the dumps from Sokol to Dynamo were ours. My friends and I climbed there, built some bunkers out of boxes behind the liquor store, and played war. Here, literally around the corner, is the CSKA stadium, to which my mother and father took me by the hand at the age of five and where I played almost all sports. At that time it was still possible to cross Leningradsky Prospekt using a pedestrian crossing; in the middle of the avenue there was a nice oak alley with benches, we often walked there.

My dad was the head of a department at the USSR Ministry of Communications. And besides, he was a master of sports in volleyball and coached the Central Television team (despite the fact that he had a congenital heart defect). He believed that it is necessary to engage in sports from childhood. My whole life has been spent in sports. I served in the sports troupe, then entered the circus school, although my father prescribed the Institute of Communications for me. Dad was a signalman, and he wanted me to continue the dynasty. As a result, I went to a communications technical school after the eighth grade. But after studying there, I realized: this is not for me. I decided to serve first, and then decide what to do in life. My father believed that the army is a mandatory training that a man must undergo. And in general, at that time it seemed that if you evaded the army, something was wrong with you,” says Zhizhikin.

In the army, the young man made friends with circus performers who served with him. The new hobby became the main incentive to enter the Moscow Regional State Institute of Physical Culture. In 1989, he received a diploma in the specialty “Director of sports events”.

“In the army, I met circus performers (only athletes or circus performers were accepted into the sports company), and among them was the wonderful artist Grisha Chekalin, with whom we are still friends. He told so many interesting things about the circus! In the USSR, it was impossible to travel abroad, but with the circus, if you worked well, once a year you traveled abroad, to socialist countries, and, if you were lucky, to capitalist countries. Plus you are always in good physical shape. Naturally, having heard enough of these stories, I immediately went to enroll in a circus school. I passed some of the exams, and then found out that you don’t have to go there if you are a master of sports and have found a suitable number for yourself. At that time I was a master of sports in swimming, and I found a number - acrobats on bicycles. I traveled all over the Soviet Union with this number,” recalls Igor.

Simultaneously with his studies, Zhizhikin worked at the Soyuz State Circus as an aerial artist: “About 22-23 years old. I got into what was probably the best number at that time - “Air flight under the direction of Vadim Stankeyev.” It was a unique flight; it had no analogues. We traveled almost the whole world with this number. In 1987, we went to Israel - it was our first trip there after the 40-year Cold War between the USSR and Israel. We and Alla Pugacheva went first. They missed communicating with Russians so much that after the performance there were lines of people who snatched us up like pears at the market - they took us to their home, and there there was food, drink and 40-50 people wanted to listen to you and chat. I lived in Israel for almost six months, I still have friends there. And then we were in Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Luxembourg - we traveled all over Europe with this number. And they came to America with him.”

Igor, as part of the Moscow Circus group, went on tour to the USA, where, due to life circumstances, he stayed and made a film career in Hollywood. “A man named Nick Visokovsky took it upon himself to organize the American tour. We did not know how experienced and successful he was. But Nick spoke decent Russian, worked with Chuck Norris, and we trusted him. The company was outstanding: in addition to our enchanting “Aerial Flight”, the wonderful illusionist Emil Kio and his team took part in the performance, as well as Alexander Bondarev with a magnificent number “Russian Maslenitsa”, acrobats on a pole and throwing boards, roller jugglers and bears were involved, caused special delight from the public...

We spent quite a long time traveling around one-story America, performing in small provincial towns. But they soon noticed that there were fewer and fewer spectators. And, as it turned out, not because the Russian circus was not interesting to them. It’s just that the majority had no idea about our tour: Visokovsky hardly invested in advertising, considering it a waste of money. And then he said that it was our own fault, that no one needed us, and he simply left, leaving us at the Atlantic City Hotel with practically no means of support.

There is no money, there is nothing to eat. Out of despair, we swam in the pool all day, sunbathed and waited for someone to rescue us. And then one day a man appeared who introduced himself as a producer. He said that he read in the newspaper about the ordeals of Russian circus performers and specially flew from Las Vegas to help. “Guys, come with me,” he urged. “This is the capital of world show business, I will certainly sell you to someone.” The American paid for the plane tickets and checked him into a hotel. We ate daily at the buffet, where the three-dollar menu included champagne. There are no such prices now! We liked absolutely everything. And most importantly, we were looking forward to the start of new tours with enthusiasm. But our benefactor turned out to be just another swindler who decided to make money. On the one hand, he seemed to be on the right path: there were enough venues in Vegas. Only they were all scheduled for many months in advance. In addition, it turned out that we had the right to work exclusively with the organization or person who brought us to America. And in order to change them, it was necessary to return to the USSR and re-issue work visas. Our “businessman” was completely unprepared for such headaches and expenses and soon disappeared.

As a result, our dear Soyuz State Circus rescued us, paying for the flight to Moscow. The guys sighed with relief and began to pack their things. And it seemed like I was stuck. “There’s no need to go anywhere,” an inner voice itched. - Well, come back, and what awaits you? Crisis, no work. Stay and prove that you are a man who can earn money and help his parents,” says the artist.

Igor Zhizhikin: “On the set, Jennifer Garner and I had an affair”

Courageous, brutal, surrounded by an aura of Hollywood glory, Igor Zhizhikin is liked by the ladies. Even Steven Spielberg himself, with whom our hero was lucky enough to work, called him “the best bad guy.” He has four marriages in his background, and, as the actor admits, the more successful you are, the more difficult it is to find sincere, real relationships.

Igor is one of the few Russian actors who managed to make a successful career, first in Hollywood and then at home. He starred with such famous directors as Steven Spielberg, Quentin Tarantino, Florian Henkel, and his partners on the set were world stars. Perhaps his most iconic work was the role of Colonel Dovchenko in the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - even a doll of the colonel was created. From the outside, his life resembles a dashingly twisted movie script. The future actor was born into an ordinary Moscow family, preparing to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the Institute of Communications. But while in the army, he met guys from the circus, and this turned his life upside down. In 1989, Igor and his colleagues went on a tour of the United States - and stayed there. Was it a chain of coincidences that led him to success or was everything predetermined? By chance he got to a rehearsal for the show Enter of the night, he caught the eye of the producers, then got the lead role in the musical Jubilee and starred in commercials. Again, I accidentally met producer Ted Fox in one of the nightclubs, he invited him to his film... Probably, the main thing is Igor’s character. He is a purposeful person, open to new sensations and emotions. And we met in a cafe not far from the Airport metro station, where our hero spent his childhood.

— This is my native area, one might say, the family nest. I was born and raised here. After the war, my grandparents lived in barracks on the other side of the street. The neighbors were like one big family. Then the barracks were demolished and Khrushchev houses were built in their place. But in every entrance and on every floor I had uncles, aunts and just acquaintances. I remember when I was a child they shouted from the window: “Igor, where are you going? You will fall,” people who were not my relatives. Everyone looked out for each other and helped. And opposite the house was the CSKA stadium, where my mother once took me across the street by the hand, and there I trained throughout my school years. So some of my friends became punks, and I became an athlete.

— Are there any of those people left here who remember you as a yard boy?

- I don't know. Maybe. Now I live on the other side of Leningradsky Prospekt. But sometimes I go to my family’s houses. I don’t really remember anyone anymore, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. But that doesn't matter. The area is creative, there are many artists, actors, and circus performers here.

It was very prestigious to perform at Cirque du Soleil, especially for a Russian artist

Photo: personal archive of Igor Zhizhikin

— Remembering those years when you were preparing to enter the Moscow Institute of Communications, could you imagine that life would take such a sharp turn and take you into a completely different area?

- Of course not. Some kind of change in consciousness occurred in the army when I met circus performers. They had such a bright, interesting life! Moreover, at that time it was extremely difficult to leave the Soviet Union abroad. And the circus provided this opportunity in the form of foreign tours. So I decided not to miss my chance.

— Have you dreamed of seeing the world?

- Who didn’t want to break out of the scoop at that time? At least to Bulgaria, at least to Poland. And see the world, and buy at least some decent things. Plus the work is interesting, which constantly keeps oneself in good shape and in good physical shape. I was an aerialist - you can’t relax here, you can’t play the fool.

— Are you an adventurer by nature?

- Was. With age he became more stable. But I still don’t like mothballs, I need changes in my life. And before, I was generally in favor of any kind of activity. (Laughs.) That’s why I stayed in America. When I found myself in Las Vegas, this fantastic city where everything is on the move, where there are so many different shows, I thought that I should stay here. For some reason, I was sure that I could also find a use for my abilities.

— In your homeland, you were an artist in the popular circus show “Aerial Flight of Vadim Stankeyev,” but here no one knew you...

— I was never afraid to start from scratch, change my lifestyle. At first, when I came to America, I begged, slept on a bench in parks, and was homeless. He worked as a lawn mower and as a bouncer in a bar. But then fate smiled. I was invited to the popular American musical Jubilee, where I had the main role of Samson. And I made very good money there. But when I was offered to work at Cirque du Soleil, I left without hesitation, although they paid three times less. Because these are new opportunities. And a few years later he changed the circus to an acting profession.

With Hollywood actor Danny Trejo

Photo: personal archive of Igor Zhizhikin

— So, when the producer of “Aerial Flight” abandoned the troupe without money in a foreign country, it didn’t come as a shock to you? You could call your friends and borrow money for a ticket.

“Many did just that and returned. And then the Union State Circus bought tickets for all of us, but I decided to stay. What a shock? When you're twenty-three, you look at the world with your eyes wide open. Every word you learn in English, every new show, meeting an interesting person is a joy. And it didn't matter what you had for dinner. And will he exist today at all?

— When I read your biography, my first thought was: a good plot for a film script...

— This is if we talk about me, a separate guy from Russia. But in fact, everyone there has such amazing stories that you could make a movie. In the film "Indiana Jones" we worked together with Harrison Ford. For example, he said that before becoming an actor, he was a carpenter.

— But you didn’t set yourself such a goal - to break into Hollywood? Everything happened by chance. A good friend of mine, Ted Fox, invited me to play a small role in the film “Monkey Job...”

— I thought that I would find myself somewhere in show business, in a circus show, maybe I would become a coach. I did a lot of commercials. But when, thanks to Ted, I played my first small role in a movie, I realized that I really liked it. Ted Fox, with whom I later collaborated, advised: “Don’t waste time, go learn.” And while I was working at Cirque du Soleil, I was studying at the Nevada State Acting School. It may seem from the outside that everything was smooth and easy, but in reality it was not so.

— So you can’t call yourself lucky?

“Actually, I must admit, I’m lucky.” I think someone is leading me down this path. And when difficult moments came, something always saved me. Either an interesting project was proposed, or the right person met. There were failures when I found myself without work, without money. Vacuum: you sit there and don’t know what to do. But you have to get used to it. Until you become a megastar, it’s like this in Hollywood: sometimes it’s thick, sometimes it’s empty. You go to castings, knock on different doors. And then - bam, it shoots somewhere.

Igor and Natalya got married in Las Vegas and lived together for eight years

Photo: personal archive of Igor Zhizhikin

— You were lucky to work with Steven Spielberg. Moreover, you said that you knew his family. Did you have such a close relationship?

- How can you not know your family? It took a year to make the movie! Both the wives and children of the actors came to the set more than once. During all this time, everyone managed to get to know each other. Spielberg is a very sociable person, he immediately introduced his family: “This is my wife, my daughter, my son.” He knew everything about my family, he was always interested in how my mother was, how her health was, and what she was doing. Once they even talked on the phone. Mom, of course, didn’t understand anything, but I said that this is one of the great modern directors. I was surprised that he remembered some aspects of the biography of the people with whom he worked. Once they started talking about one of the actors, he said: “Do you know how good his parents are!”

- So this is his style of communication?

— This is a style of communication between people who have actually achieved something in life. On The Tourist I worked with Florian Henkel, the director who won an Oscar for The Lives of Strangers. He is from the richest family of Austrian aristocrats who were friends with the top officials of the state. And I was amazed that he communicated equally cordially with such stars as Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp, and with any person from the film crew, without making any distinctions. He was very congenial. It turns out that these Austrian aristocrats have the following principle: the higher the position you occupy, the closer you should be to the people.

— It must have been very funny for you when you arrived in Moscow and saw a lot of pathos out of nowhere.

“I still laugh from time to time.” There is such a thing, you are right.

— Have you ever been tempted to teach your colleagues on the set something, to remember some Hollywood story?

— Everyone asks me about this period of my biography. But to teach - no, there was no temptation. Actors are vulnerable people, and giving advice can be dangerous. (Laughs.) In fact, I myself have a lot to learn from many of my Russian colleagues. I was just lucky that I starred in big films from big directors. And there are a million talented people who have not had such a successful creative destiny. What right do I have to teach someone?

- You’re not a poor man now...

— Everything is relative, but, thank God, yes, I can already afford to star in those projects that are interesting to me. It was different before.

Igor admired Cate Blanchett not only as an actress, but also as a woman

Photo: personal archive of Igor Zhizhikin

— And at the end of April, a new Russian film with your participation, “Rectify Everything,” will be released. You play a businessman's assistant. What did this role give you professionally?

- This is a comedy role! With my brutal appearance, I’m not often offered to star in comedies. My character, of course, is also brutal, but at the same time funny. And I hope that if I was able to show what I wanted, it will be an expansion of my acting capabilities.

— What do you remember about filming?

— I got a concussion. I accidentally got hit in the head with a chair while we were filming a fight scene in a nightclub. I fought there with a whole group of tipsy bikers. I also injured my shoulder. According to the script, I had to jump from a steamboat passing along the river onto a bridge. These are such vivid memories. (Laughs.) But seriously, the filming was memorable for its fun. Comedy is always very cool and great, because you can have some mischief there. Even with a serious face.

— Do you watch films with your participation?

- No. I hate watching myself on screen and am generally very critical of my work. It always seems to me that I somehow played poorly and could have done better. I only watch it at the premiere, there’s nowhere to go. (Laughs.) And then I try to sneak away quietly when the lights are turned off. I come to the end of the film and watch the reaction of the audience. If it’s positive, then I can watch this film later.

— After returning home, you probably felt like a foreigner? A lot has changed here.

- At first, yes, I felt it. But then I got used to it. In fact, you assimilate quite quickly. Especially if you have good friends and are offered an interesting job. This is the most important thing - to be in demand. When you sit without work for a long time, you simply become depressed. I think most actors are like that.

— Do you have any hobbies to brighten up the wait during periods of unemployment?

— I have a sports club nearby. I go there and I can spend two hours on the treadmill. Taking a steam bath also helps. Communication with relatives saves you from depression. I went to visit my sister, sat with my mother, and went out with friends. But work gives you a feeling of vitality. When it is there, it’s nice to have fun. You are waiting for the weekend to go somewhere, sit in a restaurant, party in a nightclub. And when you don’t work, you don’t want to go anywhere.

— Do you still party in nightclubs?

- At my age, lighting up means going to a nightclub, and then it’s up to you. (Laughs.) I can rock out on the sofa all evening, watching people dance. Or I can go out on the dance floor myself, I’m a fairly active guy.

— You played with such wonderful women as Angelina Jolie and Cate Blanchett. Did you have any romantic feelings?

- Oh, Kate is my favorite woman. In fact, I not only admire her as an actress, I was generally crazy about her. Really fell in love! You could say this is my feminine ideal. At the Cannes Film Festival, I confessed my feelings to her. I drank a little. And I say: “Katya, I love you!” She: “Igor, I love you too.” Me: “You don’t understand, I really love you!” (Laughs.)

- But you didn’t have an affair?

- No. At that time, she was already married, she had two children, and she was expecting a third. She said: “Oh, Igor, where have you been before!”

— So, Hollywood beauties liked you?

— I liked it, why not, I’m tall, handsome, interesting. (Laughs.) We even had a romantic relationship with Jennifer Garner. We starred together in the series “Alias” - this is one of her first films. And then she was not yet married to Ben Affleck.

— In relationships with women, does the initiative always come from you?

- No, not from me. If I like someone, I should immediately feel the opposite reaction. Seeing that she also has an interest in me. Then I'm ready to develop the relationship. And if a girl starts playing some games, demonstrating ostentatious inaccessibility, I lose the desire to communicate further.

— You had four marriages. The first one is with an American woman named Brenda to get citizenship. The second wife was his partner in the musical Lisa, the third wife was a Russian emigrant Natalya, you don’t want to tell anything about the fourth. And now, when you are asked about personal relationships, say that it has become very difficult to find a woman.

- Yes it is. I no longer trust female representatives at all.

- Why?

— In general, it seems to me that you should look for a woman not in Moscow. In any city outside the capital, people are much more sincere in their feelings. Moscow is a place where mercantile people come from all over the country who want to win their place in the sun by any means possible. Moreover, most of these girls do not have any special talents. In addition to their spectacular appearance, which they use to find a wealthy gentleman. It happens that a girl is dating someone else at the same time and chooses the best option for herself. Moreover, the best is not in love, but in financial terms. And when I fall in love, I open my heart. I need to know that they love me and believe in me. And when I understand that they are treating me simply as a consumer, I want to shoot myself, by God.

— Maybe we should pay attention to girls who are more modest, not of model appearance?

- What are we talking about? I'm generally a homebody. I go out with friends extremely rarely. And I don’t specifically drive around Moscow looking for women. There is no such goal. How lucky you will be.

The actor is rarely offered roles in comedies, so he enjoys starring in them. Painting “Fix everything”

Photo: personal archive of Igor Zhizhikin

— By the way, many people now meet on the Internet.

- No. The Internet is not my option. I've already screwed up with this several times. Complete deception, photoshopped photos. Sometimes there is a huge gap between a profile on social networks and a real person. There were some crazy ladies too. They really wanted to meet in person and pestered us with requests for a meeting. I say: “No, please, don’t, nothing will work out. We’ll just waste our time.” I immediately understand that this is not my person. But no, she changed her profile, hung up other photos, came in from a different direction. Okay, we agreed to meet. I arrive - the same person who pestered me last year: “Hello, it’s me.” "And what?" - I ask. “I just wanted to see you.” - “Well, see you. Thank you for wasting a few hours of my life.” He got into the car and drove away. So for me it’s only personal communication. And the personal does not always live up to expectations. Moscow, as I said, is a very unique city in this regard. Even when I go to St. Petersburg for filming, I understand that the people there are completely different, much kinder.

— What is your status now?

— I'm on a creative search. (Laughs.) Not long ago I started a new relationship, but time will tell how it will turn out.

— Was Natalia the most beloved of your wives?

- Now I can’t say that anymore. After we broke up, I fell in love a couple of times very deeply. There were experiences and disappointments. And Natasha and I are good friends. I’m flying to Los Angeles soon for auditions, and we will definitely meet and communicate. The most important thing is to maintain warm, human relationships even after the marriage ends.

- Why didn’t you have children? You lived together for eight years.

“They were young, they were pursuing a career. Perhaps if there were children, everything could have turned out differently. I am a very responsible person, for me family is sacred.

— Are you one of those people who lives for today, or are you trying to make strategic plans?

- Probably today. I'm such a spender in life. I earned money, flew away somewhere, wanted to relax and have fun. Probably because he has no children, no family, and is not attached to anyone. I would like to get attached, save for the future, buy houses. But it’s not working out yet.

Work in musicals

After several months of wandering around Las Vegas, the young man accidentally ended up filming a small show. He says: “I accidentally walked into a rehearsal of the famous show “Enter the Night”, which was made by the famous Broadway producer Ted Lawrence. I hid under the table and watched the rehearsal until a security guard noticed me. He started to kick me out, but luckily for me the producer himself was there and heard what was happening. He asked where I was from. And I told him: “Moscow Circus” - “Oh, I read in the newspapers about the Moscow Circus. What were you doing there? What can you do? - “Yes, I can do everything!” And this was true, because in the Russian circus you have time to do everything: you walk on your hands, you juggle, you do somersaults. And in the American circus, everyone has their own specialization and no one can do anything else. In general, the producer called the largest girl and said: “Come out, show what you can do with her.” And I started to twist this girl in all directions - this way and that with her. He opened his mouth. That's how I got on the show. My salary was immediately 700 or 800 dollars a week. I didn’t know what to do with the money, since I was already used to living on a dollar a day or for free. Or I bought for 33 cents, as I remember now, a package of sausages and a loaf of bread for the whole day. And here they give you such money.”

Then Igor successfully passed the casting for the famous musical “Jubilee”, which at that time was one of the most popular performances in the city. The artist played the main role of Samson for about four years. Soon he joined the famous circus group Cirque du Soleil.

In addition, Zhizhikin entered the Nevada State Theater School in 1998, where he studied for two years.

Work in foreign films

Luck smiled on the future actor a year later. In 1990, a musical called “Turn on the Night” was filmed. The director needed an actor for a cameo role. It was decided to call Igor. All he had to do was walk across the stage without speaking. A year later, he already appeared as the main character in the musical production “Anniversary”. Igor did not leave this role for 5 years. Then there was work in the popular “Cirque Du Soleil”. I went on tour for about 3 years.

To improve professional skills, it was decided to get an acting education. Studied in Nevada. After this, there was a breakthrough in his career. Igor Zhizhikin began giving master classes and studied plastic arts and acting. At this time, a significant acquaintance with agent Viktor Kruglov occurred, thanks to whom Igor began to be invited to cult films. The aspiring actor had to work with such stars as Angelina Jolie and Quentin Tarantino.

Since 2000, he began to receive small episodic roles. But at the same time he appeared in such successful films as “Spy”, “Target”, “Kleptomania”, “Bloody Work”. Real success came only in 2008. Igor Zhizhikin was invited to a film about the adventures of Indiana Jones. He got the role of military man Anton Dovchenko. In 2009, he worked with Steven Seagal on the set of the film “Ruslan”. Then he appeared in the film “Black Mark”. He also appeared before fans in such films as “The Tourist,” “Chuck,” and “The Defender.”

Cinema

The Russian artist worked with US producers, directors and actors - Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, Harrison Ford, Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie and many others.

Igor Zhizhikin’s first role was an episode in the action film Dark Star directed by Mike Tristano. After that, the actor starred in such films by foreign directors as “Black Mark”, “Chuck”, “Bloody Work”, “Russians in the City of Angels”, “Spy”, “Target”, “Homicide”, “Politicians”.

The most famous film with Igor’s participation is Steven Spielberg’s fantasy blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. He created the image of Colonel Dovchenko. The film takes place in 1957, at the height of the Cold War. Soviet soldiers, led by agent Irina Spalko, kidnap Marion Ravenwood, Indiana Jones's longtime lover, forcing the professor to choose: inaction and Marion's death or helping Soviet intelligence search for the legendary Crystal Skull in exchange for the woman's freedom.

His partners on the set were Harrison Ford, Cate Blanchett, Karen Allen, Shia LaBeouf, Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Jim Broadbent.

“Shooting with Spielberg was the best experience of my life,” admits the actor.

Russian cinema

Zhizhikin also made a successful career in Russia. Since 2001, he has taken part in various film and television projects: “Deadly Force-2”, “Wild-3”, “8 First Dates”, “Sherlock Holmes”, “A Matter of Honor”, ​​“Secret City”, “Jarheads” "and others.

"Sex and the City"

Igor played Oleg Truba in the second part of the comedy film “Love in the City 2” directed by Marius Weisberg. The premiere and all seasons of the family film were shown on the Russia 1 TV channel.

Plot: Igor invites Sauna and Artem and their lovers to his father’s ranch. The guys will be able to relax, and Igor will finally introduce Nastya to his future father-in-law. Friends are packing their bags.

On the plane, they meet a couple of Americans who tell them about a certain monastery on the outskirts of the city where our heroes will live, a holy place that helps in the fight against infertility. Igor, Artem and Sauna are unanimous - they are not yet ready for fatherhood. But they still go on an excursion to the monastery. Despite the monk's warning, the friends touch the “idol”, and now they are doomed to conceive a child at the very first sexual intercourse. They are puzzled – should they believe the prejudices or not? Just in case, they decide to temporarily abstain from sex. The girls, having learned about the reason for such strange behavior of their loved ones, are offended and leave.

Left alone, the guys decide to have a blast, but then Saint Valentine appears on their way again. He is indignant: how could they not take advantage of such a blessing?

Zhizhikin also appeared in the continuation of the project “Love in the Big City-3”, where another round of adventures awaited his character.

The film featured: Vera Brezhneva, Alexei Chadov, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Vladimir Zelensky, Anastasia Zadorozhnaya, Ville Haapasalo, Philip Kirkorov, Leonid Yarmolnik, Mikhail Efremov, Anastasia Stotskaya, Pavel Volya and many others.

"The Batagami Case"

Igor played one of the main roles in the action film “The Batagami Case” by Oksana Sidorenko. His hero is Yuri Gennadievich Zhukov, a major, head of the prosecutor's office for witness protection.

Plot: On the day when his own fiancee dies, bodyguard Ilya decides to leave his profession. It took Yuri, a former colleague and friend, a lot of work to pull the guy out of depression and recruit him into the newly created Witness Protection Department. Ilya completely throws himself into his work, surprising his colleagues with his unconventional thinking and lightning-fast moves to stay ahead of the curve. Soon Ilya realizes that the death of the bride is connected with the sophisticated, devilishly inventive revenge of a certain foreign businessman on an unscrupulous Moscow businessman. Having figured out this intrigue, Ilya will be able to find out the truth about his bride...

The following people took part in the filming of the series: Andrey Chadov, Mark Dacascos, Dmitry Ratomsky, Kristina Kazinskaya, Lyubov Tolkalina, Evgeny Volovenko, Vladimir Nosik, Alina Babak, Yulia Grishina, Liliya May.

The artist played the role of businessman Arkady Viktorovich Ignatiev in the multi-part action-packed film “Major”. The detective film with the participation of Pavel Priluchny, Denis Shvedov, Karina Razumovskaya and Nikita Panfilov was filmed by Konstantin Statsky in 2014.

In the same year, the premiere of the comedy melodrama “Fix Everything” took place, where viewers saw Zhizhikin in the role of security guard Sidorov, looking after the daughter of a millionaire.

Among his latest works are the television films: “Priest-San: Confession of a Samurai” - Yakhontov, “Murka” - Taras Korshun, “The Third Duel” - Sergei Khripko, “Island” - Stepashkin, “Joker. Hunting the Beast” – Master.

For the last 15 years, Igor Zhizhikin has been a sought-after actor. He continues to actively act in Russia and Hollywood. Igor’s “track record” includes about 65 roles.

Born 08.10.1965, Moscow

Circus performer

Zhizhikin Igor Vitalievich was born on October 8, 1965 in Moscow. As a child, the boy went to an army special school, where he practiced various sports, although he did not achieve much success in them. In the end, Zhizhikin chose swimming, but did not win much laurels in it either.

When the time came to serve the Motherland, Igor, in order to get into the sports company, and not into the ordinary troops, changed swimming to pentathlon. And, already serving in the army, he switched from pentathlon to naval all-around.

In 1985, after serving in the army, inspired by the stories of his colleagues about the life of circus performers, Igor got a job as an acrobat at the circus. With his first circus act, “Acrobats on Bicycles,” the future actor traveled around almost the entire Soviet Union. Zhizhikin was assigned the role of the “bottom” - a man who sits on a bicycle and holds a bunch of acrobats on himself, the top of whom does tricks, and he himself had to turn over his head from time to time; during one of these flips, Igor got caught on a bicycle part and “torn” the meniscus.

A standard injury for circus performers led Igor Vitalievich to so-called “light work” - paper work in the circus management. And in this field, it must be said, Zhizhikin was very successful. His first leadership position was called “secretary of the Komsomol committee of the circus conveyor belt,” and six months later he was promoted to become secretary of the “Komsomol committee of all circuses of the Soviet Union.” He had thousands of Komsomol members under his command in all the cities of the country where there were circuses, and ironically, he oversaw the circus school that he once tried to enroll in. The guys with whom he took the entrance exams were still in their second year, and he, as a Komsomol organizer, sat on the admissions committee.

However, three years later, despite the active advancement of his person up the career ladder, Zhizhikin became bored with the life of an official, and he again wanted to go under the big top of the circus. The reason for returning to the roots was when the future actor saw Vadim Stankeyev’s number “Air Flight”, after which Igor, without hesitation, changed his bureaucratic suit to an acrobat’s tights. With this performance, in which the artist was a “catcher” (an acrobat who hangs upside down under a circus dome and catches vaulters performing tricks in the air), Igor Zhizhikin traveled almost half the world, his cherished childhood dreams of traveling began to come true.

It must be said that during perestroika, all kinds of cooperatives began to be created in the Soviet Union. It was one of these cooperatives that took the best acts of the Soviet Circus, including “Aerial Flight,” on tour. On the next such tour, Zhizhikin, along with the rest of the troupe’s artists, ended up in the United States of America. The tour was not shaky or slow, the performance had practically no advertising, they traveled mainly to small towns, lived in squalid hotels, the entrepreneur saved on everything and, as a result, one fine morning, he ran away with all the proceeds, leaving the troupe without funds to existence. True, after some time a local producer was found who agreed to sell the circus performance to Las Vegas. The artists had fulfilled their contract, the tour was over, they had to return home...

America

After much thought, weighing all the pros and cons, Zhizhikin’s childhood dreams and innate adventurism defeated logic and rationalism. Igor decided to stay in a country where no one was waiting for him, without money, without housing, without citizenship...

As the actor himself recalls: “At first I was homeless, washed in the pool, ate popcorn. But then I found some work: one auntie, a hotel manager, took pity on me, and I, with a Russian-English dictionary, got an illegal job picking up cigarette butts near the hotel. The working day began at nightfall and ended at seven in the morning, because I had the right to work only for the organization that brought me to America.”

During the day, the artist walked from hotel to hotel, looking into the windows, until one day he found himself at a rehearsal for the show “Enter The Night.” The producer of the show, Ted Lawrence, at first began to drive Igor away, but when he found out who was in front of him, he asked to demonstrate his capabilities. Zhizhikin showed everything he was capable of and immediately got the job. And a year later, Igor Zhizhikin was invited to play the main role (Samson) in the largest musical in Las Vegas, “Jubilee,” where he worked until 1995.

And again, as in Moscow, the circus performance he saw when Cirque Du Soleil came on tour to Las Vegas provoked a change of job. As he himself says: “this is a real show, where the focus is not even on the tricks themselves, but on artistry, the visual component of the performances and communication with the audience.” The performance captivated Igor so much that he did not hesitate to accept the invitation to become an aerialist in a circus troupe. Moreover, the artist left for a much lower salary. However, the pleasure he got from his work and the experience he gained more than made up for the money he lost.

In parallel with his work at the circus, Zhizhikin created the Magic Entertainment agency, whose scope of activities included corporate events. He himself staged circus performances, invited celebrities and singers. But it was necessary to invest money in the development of this business, and Zhizhikin already had other plans - he decided to become an actor...

From advertising to cinema

The desire to act in films, by and large, came to Igor by accident. On the recommendation of his friend, a fashion model, Zhizhikin invited the legendary photographer of Rolling Stone magazine Albert Watoson to his third wedding. He filmed the solemn event, and after a while he invited Igor to star in an advertisement. Watson found that Zhizhikin had excellent inclinations, and since he liked acting, he should continue in the same spirit, although first the future actor had to work hard in advertising. He advertised everything from panties to watches. Igor Zhizhikin took part in more than 40 advertising campaigns for world brands such as Coca-Cola, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, LEVI'S, Koton and many others, and was also the face of the brand for several years Dunhill.

Advertising for Igor was a good part-time job on his way to his dream, at least the actor did not have to go to work at McDonald's, and he could devote himself to creativity. I went to auditions, got an agent, took acting classes, and naturally I had to be a stuntman. And, in the end, it bore fruit. Zhizhikin was invited to play a small role, but significant for the artist, in Clint Eastwood’s film Blood Work, which tells the story of former FBI agent Terry McCaleb, who underwent a heart transplant and was subsequently hired to investigate the causes of the death of a woman whose heart was transplanted to him.

In 2002, the actor starred in the TV series Alias, which tells about the everyday life of CIA secret agent Sydney Bristow.

At the same time, Zhizhikin began acting for Russian directors; one of his first big roles was the role of Prokhorov in the series “Russians in the City of Angels,” which tells about the life in Los Angeles of a Russian investigator who moved with his American lover for permanent residence to America.

Then there were big and not so big roles in Russian and American films and TV series: “Kleptomania”, “Homicide”, “Reel in the Fishing Rods”, “Special Forces in Russian 2”, “Men’s Season. Velvet Revolution", "Montana".

And in 2008, Igor Zhizhikin’s finest hour came. The next part of Indiana, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, appeared on the big screen, in which Zhizhikin received one of the main negative roles - Colonel Dovchenko.

After this, the actor starred in more than twenty projects in Russia and abroad, such as: “Tourist” (Virginsky), “Ruslan” (Mikhail), “Love in the City 2” (Oleg Truba), “Slove. Straight to the heart" (Ministry of Internal Affairs Colonel Saveliy Andreevich Kotov), ​​"8 First Dates" (boy Kolya's father), "Brigade. The Heir" (Igor Ilyich Vvedensky), "The Nightingale the Robber" (N-7).

In parallel with his participation in filming, Igor Zhizhikin became the face of the computer game “Command & Conquer: Red Alert,” one of the best-selling computer games in the world. He also dubbed it and took part in the creation of the games “Emperor: Battle for Dune”, “Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2” and “Command & Conquer: Yuri's Revenge” that continued its plot.

The actor also tried himself as the host of the entertaining game show “In a Black, Black Room...” on Channel One.

Anton Lopushkov

Materials used: Irina Pavlyk, “I have all the male vices!” (Weekly Ukrainian newspaper “Today” https://today.viaduk.net)

Personal life

The actor has several unsuccessful marriages behind him. Igor met his first wife Brenda in a casino - she was a waitress. The girl herself offered to sign in order to legitimize his stay in the United States. But she very quickly lost interest in family life when she realized that her husband had no money, no job, no prospects. He left. When his Samson began to be “promoted” in the press, Brenda sought him out, but made sure that her place was taken by Zhizhikin’s partner in the musical, dancer Lisa. Igor even planned to have children with her, but she left the play and began to spend his money in the casino. In the end, she went on such a spree that he could not find her, and she had to get a divorce in absentia.

Zhizhikin’s third wife was a Russian girl. An incident brought them together with Natasha: she came to New York to visit mutual friends who asked Igor to show her Las Vegas. He fell in love instantly: “This is my man.” Mom liked Natasha too. The actor bought his first house, which he had to renovate with his own hands, built another one for guests, and even dug a swimming pool. My wife spent a long time searching for herself and now works as a famous stylist. He lived with Natasha for eight years, but they managed to maintain a good relationship.

“I have had many women, I was married more than once - both fictitiously, for the sake of American citizenship, and for real... My last wife, Natasha, now lives in the USA, she has a new husband, but we are on good terms. Now I'm alone. I am in search of my soulmate. I realized that my wife would only be Russian. Passion passes, but the spiritual connection must remain. I can’t do this with American women,” the artist admits.

Igor Zhizhikin spoke about the details of his personal life in the program “The Fate of a Man with Boris Korchevnikov” on the Rossiya 1 TV channel.

New life

Our hero settled in Las Vegas. In order to eat well and pay for a rented apartment, he took on any job. At various times, the Russian guy was a lawnmower, a club bouncer, a bartender and even a janitor. But he did not lose hope of becoming famous as a talented actor.

In 1990, the life of the Russian guy began to improve. He was accidentally noticed by the creators of the musical Enter the Night. They were looking for a large and broad-shouldered man to perform circus support. Igor coped with this task perfectly. Soon he became a full-fledged member of the troupe. He was even approved for the main role in the production of “Samson and Delilah.”

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Interesting Facts

• An advertising doll was made from his character Colonel Dovchenko in the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
• Igor Zhizhikin appeared on the cover of the computer game “Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2,” one of the best-selling computer games in the world. He was dubbing it and took part in the creation of the games "Emperor: Battle for Dune" and "Command & Conquer: Yuri's Revenge"
• The actor organized shows for major corporate events such as Cessna Aircraft Company, British American Tobacco and many others, and participated in organizing Arnold Schwarzenegger's Arnold Classic show. Igor was the owner of the Magic Entertainment agency, providing work to circus performers, dancers, singers, and musicians in various shows
• Over the years, he took part in advertising for Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen, Coca-Cola, LEVI'S, Koton and others.
• In 2010, Zhizhikin published the book “Looking for Homeland, Love and Work”

Igor Zhizhikin in the cinema

In parallel with this, Igor Zhizhikin acted in films. Over the years, the actor played roles in the American films “Bloody Work”, “Shadows in Paradise”, “The Tourist”, “The Protector”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”. Over the years, his filming partners included Mark Dacascos, Clint Eastwood, Jason Statham, Harrison Ford and many other world stars.

Actor Igor Zhizhikin on the set of the film Viy

Having become famous in Hollywood, Igor Zhizhikin also often began acting in Russian and Ukrainian projects. Among his latest works are the films “8 First Dates”, “Viy”, “Men’s Season: Velvet Revolution”, “Brigade. The Heir" and some other paintings.

Currently, Igor Zhizhikin is working on the creation of some new films in the USA and Russia, and also works as a presenter on Channel One (Russia) in the program “In the Black, Black Room...”.

Interview

Russia or America

“At some stage, I had an internal struggle about my homeland: Russia seems to be my homeland, and it seems like I lived in America for 25 years, everything there is very close to me. When I was here, I was drawn there, when I left there, I wanted to come here. But then I realized that homeland is where friends and relatives are, where work is, where you are. So my homeland is in both Russia and America.”

"Star role"

“Colonel Dovchenko in Spielberg’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, of course. Not even because it’s some very cool role. It’s just that if you starred with Spielberg, you immediately find yourself in the crowd, offers are pouring in on you. Before that, I also starred in a small role in the film “Bloody Work” by Clint Eastwood. This was also a push, Clint gave me self-confidence, I began to feel a little more bold in the cinema.”

About Spielberg

“He has his own style of work, but you don’t feel something so super-divine. You work like with an ordinary director. The first days, of course, I was afraid of doing something wrong, but over time this passed. The more important a person is, the more confidence he gives you. And the smaller he is, the more he tries to elevate himself and humiliate you. Great people create conditions that make you want to open up.”

First meeting with a Hollywood star

“I was sitting in a car with my wife near a coffee shop, and suddenly Tarantino comes out. And I was already studying to be an actor, I went to auditions in Los Angeles. The wife says: “Come to him” - “What will I tell him?” - “Tell me that you are an actor from Russia, you like his work” - “No, I won’t go, I’m ashamed, how am I?” And so he calmly walked past, got into his car and drove away. Fate brought me into contact with him a month and a half to two months later. I was cast in JJ Abrams' series Alias, starring Jennifer Garner. Then she was an ordinary unknown girl who, by the way, looked after me and invited me somewhere. But she was not interesting to me - some kind of skinny, although a good girl. So I arrived at the studio, and Abrams took me to meet other actors. I walk into the room, and a man very similar to Tarantino stands up to meet me and extends his hand: “I heard about you, we’ll work together.” My first thought was: wow, how similar to Tarantino! And the second: damn, it’s Tarantino! I couldn't believe it. Then we became friends and filmed together for two months. I met a lot of other people in Hollywood. Whom you won't see there! If you go to the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, you're bound to meet some of the stars." Based on materials from Wikipedia and websites: , kino-teatr.ru, 7days.ru, 24smi.org, interviewmg.ru.

Biography of Igor Zhizhikin

The future artist was born in October 1965. As a child, he was a very ordinary boy - he loved sports and music, and played for a long time with friends in the yard. Neither his relatives nor Igor himself even imagined that he would one day become a star.

After graduating from school, Zhizhikin entered the Communications College named after. Podbelsky. Next, the young man planned to go to college, but soon he was drafted into the army. In 1982, the guy went to serve. In the unit of the future actor, he was appointed foreman of a sports company. He met new people and found good comrades here. Most of all, Igor became friends with his military colleagues who worked as artists at the Moscow Theater. Over time, the guys began to organize concerts right in the army. Having received his first experience of performing, the young man was unable to say goodbye to him in everyday life.

After demobilization, Zhizhikin returned home and got a job in a Moscow theater. The guy combined his performances with studying at the correspondence department of the Institute of Physical Education.

In the theater, Igor Vitalievich Zhizhikin had to change several images. At first he worked as an assistant trainer, and a little later he lifted heavy loads. But the artist felt best in the role of an aerial acrobat, and the audience appreciated the efforts and skills of the young athlete. The audience liked the young man’s solo performance so much that the guy was taken on a tour of Russia as part of the main cast of the circus.

In 1989, an event occurred that turned the artist’s life upside down. Then he and his colleagues went on a tour of US cities. At this time, Russia was hit by a wave of perestroika. In Moscow, Zhizhikin did not see any prospects for himself, so he decided to stay in Los Angeles along with several like-minded people.

But life in a foreign country was not as cloudless as the guy thought. In order to somehow provide for himself, Igor grabbed any job: mowing lawns, sweeping yards, working as a security guard. No matter how hard Zhizhikin tried, there was only enough money for food. Sometimes the future actor slept on a bench in the park, unable to rent housing.

A white streak began in Zhizhikin’s life in 1990, when he was accidentally offered a job in the musical play Enter the Night. The guy began his career with simple circus lifts, but soon received an unexpected promotion - he was cast in the lead role in the production of “Samson and Delilah.” This is how 25-year-old Zhizhikin discovered his acting talent.

The role of Samson made Igor famous throughout Las Vegas. He received lucrative offers until he joined the Du Soleil circus troupe from Canada. Here the actor performed until 1998, until he received a small role in the film “Dark Star”. Soon the man received offers of work in cinema and advertising. He became the face of the popular brands Coca-Cola, Lewis, and Volkswagen.

In parallel with filming in advertising, Igor Zhizhikin is invited to act in films. He starred in the films “Indiana Jones”, “Bloody Work”, “The Protector”, “Tourist”, etc. The actor’s partners on film sets at one time were K. Eastwood, D. Statham, H. Ford.

Having received recognition from the American public, Zhizhikin decided to conquer Russian cinema. And he succeeded very quickly thanks to his memorable appearance and acting talent. In 2000, the actor played small roles in the domestic TV series “Homicide” and “Deadly Force.”

Polina and Dmitry Dibrov, Alexander Nosik, Irina Bezrukova and Igor Zhizhikin Bridge Of Arts Festival: Arkharova introduced her chosen one, Bezrukova charmed the Rostovites

Irina Medvedeva, Igor Zhizhikin and Anna Bachalova Bridge Of Arts Festival: Arkharova introduced her chosen one, Bezrukova charmed the Rostovites Igor Zhizhikin with his companion Bezrukova, Vdovichenkov, Lyadova and other stars visited “In bed with Victoria” Igor Zhizhikin Premiere of the film “8 Best Dates” in Moscow : Vera Brezhneva eclipsed all the guests

On the day when Agnia Ditkovskite had an important premiere at the theater, Alexey Chadov and Igor Zhizhikin were having fun at a party. Andrei Chadov named the reason for the separation of his brother and Agnia Ditkovskite

Alexey Chadov is spending more and more time in the company of friends Andrey Chadov named the reason for the separation of his brother and Agnia Ditkovskite

Alexey Chadov actively published photos from the event on Instagram, emphasizing in every possible way how much fun he had The choice is not obvious: Chadov did not support his wife and mother-in-law at the premiere Alexey Chadov had fun that evening with his friend, actor Igor Zhizhikin, at the Midsummer Night's Dream party The choice is not obvious: Chadov did not support his wife and mother-in-law at the premiere Igor Zhizhikin with his friend and Alexey Chadov Back to the future: stars and the brightest guests at the Midsummer Night's Dream ball Igor Zhizhikin with his friend The fourth day of Kinotavr: Kurkova and Vitorgan flew to Sochi without their lovers In 2020 The third season of the fantasy series “The Secret City” will be released, for the role in which Valery Shkirando was shaved to zero. In the photo - Valeria Shkirando with actor Igor Zhizhikin Star of the film “Battalion” Valeria Shkirando: “After shaving my head, I realized: I have never received so much male attention!”

Igor Zhizhikin with friend Anna Chipovskaya appreciated the aged Russell Crowe

Igor Zhizhikin, Maria Mia and Alexey Vorobyov Natalya Gorozhanova unsuccessfully tries to attract the attention of Alexey Vorobyov Igor Zhizhikin and Maria Mia Natalya Gorozhanova unsuccessfully tries to attract the attention of Alexey Vorobyov

The other day, Alexey Vorobyov presented his new directorial work to the Moscow public. In the photo, the musician with Igor Zhizhikin, the duet “20 14” and the duet “Yes” Natalya Gorozhanova is unsuccessfully trying to attract the attention of Alexey Vorobyov

Sergei Badyuk with his son and Igor Zhizhikin Gogol. Viy: Letuchaya, Tarasova, Sedokova and other stars at the premiere of the film Igor Zhizhikin Awesome crew premiere: Daria Sagalova was pleasantly surprised by the image of Igor Zhizhikin with her beloved The strangest outfits of the stars at the premiere of the film “Gogol. The Beginning" Igor Zhizhikin with his companion and Alexey Chadov Glucose presented the film "Granny of Easy Virtue"

Igor Zhizhikin and Alexey Chadov with their companions Svetlana Bondarchuk and Nikita Mikhalkov gathered celebrity friends at a private party as part of the MIFF

Filmography: Actor

• Black Staircase (2019)
• Territory (2019)
• Secret City-3 (2019), TV series
• The Mystery of the Dragon Seal (2019)
• Empire V | Empire V (2019)
• Hunter Killer I Hunter Killer (2018)
• Last Chance (2018)
• The Last Test (2018)
• Island-2 (2018), TV series
• Night Shift (2018)
• Major-3 (2018), TV series
• Dominica (2018)
• Joker. Hunt the Beast (2018)
• Island (2016), TV series
• Major-2 (2016), TV series
• #Fix_everything!?! (2016)
• The Third Duel (2015), TV series
• The guy from our cemetery (2015)
• Heads or Tails (2015)
• Murka (2015)
• Priest-San: Confession of a Samurai (2015)
• Leopards (2015)
• Secret City-2 (2014), TV series
• Major (2014), TV series
• The Batagami Case (2014), TV series
• There will be no winter (2014)
• B/W (2014)
• It's Always Sunny in Moscow (2014), TV series
• Secret City (2014), TV series
• Viy (2014)
• Sherlock Holmes (2013), TV series
• Love in the Big City-3 (2013), TV series
• A Matter of Honor (2013), TV series
• Delta (2012-2013), TV series
• Wild-3 (2012), TV series
• Odnoklassniki.ru: CLICK your luck (2012)
• Brigade: Heir (2012), TV series
• Nightingale the Robber (2012)
• Politicians I Political Animals (2012), TV series
• 8 First Dates (2012)
• Defender I Safe (2011)
• Marines (2011), TV series
• Made in the USSR (2011), TV series
• Crossroads of Death I True Justice (2010-2012), TV series
• Tourist I The Tourist (2010)
• Super Champion I Supreme Champion (2010)
• Love in the Big City-2 (2010), TV series
• Shadows in Paradise I Shadows in Paradise (2010)
• Slove. Straight to the Heart (2010)
• Ruslan I Driven to Kill (2009)
• The fog lifts (2008)
• Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull I Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
• Close Combat I The Ultimate Fighter (2007)
• Chuck I Chuck (2007-2012), TV series
• Black Mark I Burn Notice (2007-2013), TV series
• Target (2007)
• Montana (2007)
• Shift (2006)
• Men's Season: Velvet Revolution (2005)
• Spetsnaz in Russian-2 (2004), TV series
• Reel in the Fishing Rods (2004)
• Target I Target (2004)
• Kleptomania I Klepto (2003)
• I Robbery Homicide Division (2002-2003), TV series
• I Blood Work (2002)
• Russians in the city of angels | Russians in the City of Angels (2002)
• Spy I Alias ​​(2001-2006), TV series
• Lethal force (2000-2005), TV series
• Dark Star I Dark Nova (1999)