Views: 602
1979 Leonid Kharitonov gets out of the car, fans squeal enthusiastically at his appearance. True, it was just a scene from a movie. At the end of 1979, Vladimir Menshov’s melodrama “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears”, which . And Leonid Kharitonov performed a tiny cameo here. The artist himself has long lost his former popularity; the bright years of his acting biography are left behind. Even young viewers of the 80s could no longer understand all the delight in this scene. Although at one time everyone knew Kharitonov, he was wildly successful, but this lasted only about 5 years.
“Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears” 1979
Leonid Kharitonov was born in Leningrad on May 19, 1930 into a simple, non-artistic family. There, in Leningrad, the war overtook him when he was very young. He had to endure several months of a terrible blockade, but fortunately, together with his father, they managed to evacuate to the “mainland.” But the trials of hunger did not pass without a trace: then he earned himself an ulcer, which then tormented him throughout his life. And the consequences of a hungry childhood will still be felt in his stellar years.
School years
Lenya, who had grown up a little, was enrolled by his parents in the then quite prestigious gymnasium No. 239. In this educational institution, a theater group successfully worked under the leadership of the then famous actress Maria Prizvan-Sokolova. The colorful stories about the theatrical stage greatly impressed the boy, and he resolutely set himself the goal of becoming a great artist. Little Leonid Kharitonov, whose personal life was different from the rest of the studio students, was characterized by good acting abilities - he was quite successful at vocal singing, he knew how to boldly stand on stage, and he absorbed pedagogical advice the first time.
During his school years, the nickname “artist” stuck to him due to the fact that he was a mandatory participant in almost all the performances that were staged at that time at school. After the 9th grade, the boy passed the exams at the theater studio, but he was not enrolled there due to the fact that he did not have a matriculation certificate at that time.
In the shadow
It cannot be said that in modern times Kharitonov was left without work. He played in enterprises, worked on television, and appeared in films. But in an interview he ironically noted that those who remember him from “The Gadfly” are sure that he died long ago.
Kharitonov had a complex character; he was not shy about making harsh and categorical statements. In addition, the actor admitted that for several years he had serious problems with alcohol, which he finally managed to cope with.
He continued to act in TV series and play in the theater. In 2020, Kharitonov played two British Prime Ministers Anthony Eden and Harold Macmillan in the play “The Audience” on the stage of the Theater of Nations.
Andrei Kharitonov as Harold Macmillan and Inna Churikova as Queen Elizabeth II in a scene from the play "The Audience" at the Theater of Nations in Moscow. Photo: RIA Novosti/Ekaterina Chesnokova
Kharitonov did not like to talk about his personal life, saying only that his wife was a fan.
Student period
After graduating from school, Leonid Kharitonov successfully entered the university, where he selflessly studied law for a year, and filled his free time from studying with his favorite activity in the student drama club. The role of the auditor Bobchinsky made him think seriously about a career as a theater and film actor. During his university years, Kharitonov received an offer to serve in intelligence, but the condition was set that he could expect a long stay abroad, and, accordingly, he would have to sacrifice a lot. The actor did not accept this offer because of his great love for theatrical art. During the Moscow Art Theater tour in the city on the Neva, enrollment was announced for their studio school named after. Nemirovich-Danchenko. The young man decided to take the exams. I passed all the stages perfectly and was enrolled.
The future film actor graduated from the studio school in 1954 and was immediately included in the list of actors of the theater troupe. In the same year, Kharitonov had the opportunity to star in the film “School of Courage” for the first time; moreover, he began acting there while still a student.
Student years
Having received a matriculation certificate, Leonid Kharitonov was afraid to enter a theater university. Actor - this profession seemed to his family not very serious and promising, therefore, agreeing with their opinion, the young man went to study law at Leningrad University.
It was probably Kharitonov’s destiny to become an artist, because at the university he joined a local theater group. While performing in his projects, the young man began to think about realizing his long-time dream. Therefore, after successfully passing the summer session, Leonid Kharitonov submitted documents to the Moscow Art Theater School and was soon enrolled in the first year.
Leonid Kharitonov: films about the soldier Ivan Brovkin
A year after the filming of “School of Courage,” the film “Soldier Ivan Brovkin” appeared on the screens. In order to get the actor used to the hero's costume, he was allowed to wear a soldier's uniform every day. And for a better understanding and study of the character of the hero Ivan, Leonid Kharitonov (the photo of the soldier is presented below) spent several hours a day doing military drill training, learned to drive a motorcycle and a tractor, and even gave up being a singer-understudy.
He insisted on his own performance of all the songs involved in the film. Leonid studied the comedy script for several months, carefully delving into every line, trying to fully imagine the cheerful soldier Brovkin, who was famous for his untimely and inappropriate actions. During the filming of “Ivan Brovkin,” the artist’s stomach ulcer, which was acquired during the Leningrad blockade, worsened.
In the summer of 1955, on the streets of Sukhumi, a military patrol stopped a young soldier because he did not greet an officer walking by and was not dressed according to the regulations. The detained soldier not only did not stand at attention, but also tried to get into an argument. He was taken to the commandant's office. After some time, the “detainee” left her with a smile in the company of the commandant himself. When the latter released him, he warned that when wearing a military uniform, one must comply with the existing military regulations, and introduced him to the officer, whom Leonid did not greet, as an actor who played in the film “School of Courage.”
After the appearance of “Soldier Ivan Brovkin” on the screens, Leonid Kharitonov woke up as a real idol of an entire generation. He received letters from soldiers, girls, mothers and grandmothers. He was inundated with invitations to meetings at clubs, educational institutions and industrial enterprises. With his acting, Kharitonov created the image of a new folk hero - an unlucky, but good-natured, modest and attractive guy. His characters both educated and delighted audiences of all ages. The actor himself was also somewhat similar to the hero: he never tolerated requests for personal matters, lived his life modestly, communicated with everyone equally, and did not allow anyone to refuse help.
Leonid Kharitonov, whose filmography includes thirty-nine feature films, became a real national idol because of the role of Ivan Brovkin. But at the same time a victim of one role.
Artist Leonid Kharitonov and his wives
The place of Kharitonov’s first wife was taken by his classmate Svetlana Sorokina. They married in the third year, their marriage lasted only two years. After her divorce from Leonid, Svetlana, who kept her husband’s last name, worked at the Film Actor’s Theater, then at the Satire Theater.
She claimed that Leonid captivated everyone with his kind disposition and gentle character. “Soldier Ivan Brovkin” brought stardom to the actor. It so happened that the film that brought the actor to popularity ruined the life of his first wife. Fans overwhelmed him everywhere. He didn’t even think about hiding the fact that he really liked female attention. On the set of the film “The Street is Full of Surprises,” he developed an affair with D. Osmolovskaya. Svetlana was very offended by this and was very worried.
Osmolovskaya, who became the second wife, gave birth to Leonid Vladimirovich a son. However, this family was destined to fall apart. Kharitonov’s third and last wife was Evgenia Gibova, a student at the Moscow Art Academic Theater school at that time.
Rise and Fall
1982 was marked by the release of a sensational rock opera about Joaquin Murrieta. Guess who got the role of the courageous and noble gold digger? It would seem that one could not even dream of greater popularity. But no. In “The Secret of the Blackbirds,” another facet of the actor’s talent was revealed. Kharitonov also played in a detective film based on the work of Agatha Christie and an adventure film.
According to Kharitonov, he himself never felt his “stardom” and popularity. As the actor joked: for the fees from “Gadfly” he bought half a car, and for “Drozdov” he bought a whole one. In 1984, the actor took part in a science-fiction film about the invisible man. The scientist Jonathan Griffin played him very convincingly. It must be said that Kharitonov never stood still, always trying on new images.
A cynical aristocrat, an adventurous Italian, a mama's boy - the actor always adored typical characters and was critical when choosing roles. Probably for this reason, it turned out to be unclaimed in the 90s, since there was no worthy material. At that difficult time, he drank a lot, acted little, mainly in historical projects.
After that difficult period, Kharitonov decided to try himself as a director. Already the first film, the mystical thriller “Thirst for Passion,” received positive reviews from critics and attracted audience interest.
Since 2003, Andrei began acting in TV series. One of the most memorable works of that period is “Young Wolfhound,” and the latest projects are the psychological series “Voices.” In addition to his serial activities, the actor has always led an active theatrical life.
The actor's addiction
Kharitonov made friends with famous old-timers - B. Livanov, A. Gribov and V. Belokurov. The latter is known from the film “Valery Chkalov”. Witty Boris Livanov joked about the stripe on the jumper worn by Belokurov that it was a “filling line.” Leonid Kharitonov was greatly protected by the keys to his own car, while he put his hand in his pocket, claiming that he was driving, even when the car was not with him at all.
But Kharitonov’s ex-wife Gemma argued that his addiction to alcohol still had a negative impact on the actor’s life, because everyone tried to invite Lenya to spend time together and, accordingly, drink some kind of alcoholic drink. And the actor often did not have the courage to refuse. At the beginning of her married life with Leonid, Osmolovskaya tried not to notice, but soon realized that it was impossible to endure all this. This addiction was the reason for the divorce. In this situation, the director of the theater where she worked offered to help save Leonid. With the help of friends, the actor was admitted to a specialized clinic, where he stayed for several months. The treatment helped for a while, and then it all started again. The divorce from Gemma was quiet, without reproaches from Kharitonov due to his gentle nature.
Loyalty to the Moscow Art Theater stage
In 1962, Kharitonov went to the Theater. Lenin Komsomol, and then to the Drama Theater. Pushkin. However, he did not stay in the last temple of theatrical art for long - in 1963 he again returned to the stage of the Moscow Art Theater.
But soon a kind of stagnation developed in the Moscow Academic Theater - they staged too little. Director Oleg Efremov again promised to give Kharitonov a role, but, unfortunately, Leonid Vladimirovich was not on the list. They staged “Ward No. 6”, where he had one of the main roles. Tatyana Doronina became his partner in the play. At first glance, it seemed that acting enlightenment had come in the life of actor Leonid Kharitonov. However, at one point this performance, dear to his heart, was for some reason removed from the repertoire. And later they decided to restore it, but again the unexpected happened - all the scenery was destroyed by a strong fire.
Forgotten Ivan Brovkin
In the eighties of the twentieth century, Kharitonov disappeared from movie posters and was hardly remembered. Only the painting “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears” was a reminder of his past glory; in it, at the entrance to the Film Actor’s Theater, one heroine screams enthusiastically when actor Leonid Kharitonov stands in front of her.
With age, Leonid Kharitonov acted less and less, mostly engaged in teaching, preparing himself for a real role. Sometimes he could be seen in episodes.
The actor Leonid Kharitonov did not want to repeat himself, and, unfortunately, no one gave him new roles. He made many trips with performances throughout the USSR, but the most famous film actor of the 50s was never allowed abroad.
There was a split in the Moscow Art Theater on June 20, 1987. Some of the actors remained with O. Efremov, and some went to T. Doronina. Kharitonov did not want to move anywhere.
Personal life
Unfortunately, the actor’s personal life still remains behind the curtain. Little is known about his wife, and during interviews the actor simply ignores all questions about his personal life. Until recently, the only thing known about his wife was her name. Olga has been Andrey’s beloved for 15 years. A long time ago, Olga was one of thousands of fans of the actor, she was even the head of a fan club named after him. Like many girls, she came to Moscow and watched him at the entrance until fate smiled at her. Personal life for actor Andrei Kharitonov is the part that should remain behind the curtain; even nothing is known about his wife.
Andrei Kharitonov with his wife Olga
Once during an interview, the actor said that in many ways in his life he was grateful to his wife. For supporting him during difficult periods, for not throwing tantrums when Andrei comes home late, staying late at work. As far as we know, the famous actor has no children. He himself admits that he likes loneliness most of all. The media knows practically nothing about the personal life of actor Andrei Kharitonov and his wife Olga.
Death of a People's Star
On June 20, 1987, due to another stroke, Leonid Kharitonov died suddenly. The films of this actor were filled with real vitality and kindness. Because of his loyalty to the two split wings of the Moscow Art Theater at once, funeral speeches were made by both leaders of this theater. A wreath “From Mom” (Tatyana Ivanovna Peltzer, who played the mother in “Ivan Brovkin”) was placed on the tombstone, since his own mother was no longer alive.
Death
In the last years of his life, Leonid Vladimirovich’s health left much to be desired: the actor suffered two strokes. The third and final stroke struck Kharitonov on the day when the new artistic director of the Moscow Art Theater suggested that the actor write a letter of resignation of his own free will. At the same time, rumors began to appear that Leonid Kharitonov was being fired due to a serious mental illness. Another blow caused the actor’s death. Kharitonov died on June 20, 1987.
Kharitonov’s son later said in an interview that the actor’s health was largely undermined by the division of his beloved theater: there was no mutual understanding within the troupe for a long time, the theater was openly falling apart, and Oleg Efremov, who became the new head of the Moscow Art Theater, was appointed to save the legendary theater. To do this, he had to start with tough measures, including mass layoffs, which then became a tragedy for many actors.
Leonid Vladimirovich's grave is located at the Moscow Vagankovskoye cemetery. Instead of a photo of the actor, the tombstone is decorated with a stone split in two by the Moscow Art Theater seagull.
