At least they would give me a penny. The star of “Brother 2” spoke about her fees

Daria Lesnikova: biography

Born into an acting family on January 20, 1968. Daria's mother, Natalya Yurgens, is an Honored Artist of the RSFSR.

Lesnikova (Yurgens) Daria Georgievna was born in Tomsk. However, she did not have to live long in Siberia. Soon after the birth of their daughter, the family moved to Mariupol (Ukraine). The future actress spent her childhood years in this city. Daria Lesnikova loved her hometown Mariupol very much.

Dasha first took part in the play when she was still an infant. It was "Virgin Soil Upturned". Then the baby was carried onto the stage, wrapped in rags.

It is interesting that, unlike many of her peers, as a child Dasha did not dream of being an actress and shining on stage. While millions of other girls her age dreamed of cinema, theater and crowds of fans, little Daria Lesnikova wanted to become... a veterinarian.

From a young age I was interested in sports, in particular fencing. But she didn’t do well in her studies. She would have devoted her life to sports, if not for one unpleasant incident at a fencing competition. It happened when the future actress was 14 years old. Having hit her opponent's hand with a rapier, the girl was disqualified. As a result, she did not receive the title of master of sports, to which she was very close. But I was very disappointed and decided to leave the sport.

What is it like studying to be an actress?

Although Dasha had other hobbies during her school years, when the time came to choose a professional path, she nevertheless decided to follow in the footsteps of her parents and enter the Academy of Theater Arts. Cherkasova.

It is no coincidence that the girl wanted to study in Leningrad, because her mother was from there. Her grandmother and her then-little mother fled from besieged Leningrad to the Great Patriotic War. In Leningrad, her father studied acting. Her great-grandfather Dmitry Chernov, a famous scientist in the field of metallurgy, who laid the foundations of Russian metallurgy, once worked here.

Daria Lesnikova failed to enter the academy. The acting test was excellent, but I received a C for writing. So the girl was allowed to attend classes only as a free listener.

She did not get a hostel and did not have money to rent an apartment, but still did not return home. Young Dasha went to classes and was passionate about her new life. And the fact that there was nowhere to spend the night is not such a problem: either friends will shelter you for a few days, or you will sleep in the classroom. Despite the catastrophic lack of money, Dasha completed her studies (1990, course of A. Kunitsyn) and received a diploma.

First steps to acting

She began her career as an actress in a theater troupe (Youth Theater on Fontanka, 1990). Although she played her first role on stage at the age of 10. It was Anyutka in the play “The Power of Darkness”.

At the Youth Theater she was remembered for her roles:

• charming Masha from “The Death of Van Halen”;
• Lucy from The Threepenny Opera;
• Rene de Sade - the main role in the philosophical play "Marquise de Sade";
• Agnes from The Lark;
• the domineering Granny from Luna Wolves;
• Marusya (small role in “Screams from Odessa”).
• Desdemonas from the production of "Othello" and others.

The young actress fell in love with her native theater very much. She devoted almost all her time to work. Although her earnings were meager, and work in the theater did not particularly solve Lesnikova’s financial problems.

Daria was very devoted to her Youth. She refused other offers. Only once did Lesnikova play on a “foreign” stage. This was the role of Olivia from the play “Twelfth Night” at the Bolshoi Drama Theater.

The childhood of Daria Yurgens and the early departure of her father

Very quickly Mariupol fell in love with the talented couple. Everyone adored George. Every New Year, queues lined up at Lesnikov’s house to invite him to the Christmas tree as Santa Claus. Such “hackwork” was a serious help to the meager salaries of theater actors, and there was always smoked sausage and a jar of caviar in the refrigerator.

Daria grew up in such an atmosphere of care and love. Her father did her homework for her, and her older brother Nikita took her to kindergarten and school. There was a difference of 12 years between them - the same as now between the children of Daria herself.

She began appearing on stage at the age of three, and at ten she played her first serious role - Anyuta in the play “The Power of Darkness”.

Daria Yurgens as Anyuta in the play “The Power of Darkness.” Photo: 7 days

At the age of 13, Daria's childhood ended. She practically lost her father in her arms. George was only 53 years old. Before this, Lesnikov had not appeared on stage for several years - he was unable to recover from his first stroke.

Nevertheless, the family continued to be envious and expected that Natalya would find someone younger. “Well-wishers” sent letters to George expressing their suspicions. Perhaps by doing this they hastened his departure. Despite everything, Natalya did not remarry - she devoted herself entirely to raising her children, and then her grandchildren. And, of course, the theater.

From the theater stage to the film set. Debut film roles

Daria Georgievna's path to cinema began in 1998 with a casting conducted by director Alexey Balabanov for his fifth film. She decided to take advantage of this chance, although she did not particularly believe in her success. But they took her.

She first starred in the film “About Freaks and People” (together with V. Sukhorukov, S. Makovetsky), where she got the role of the gloomy Grunya. The film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival. In general, Lesnikova’s film debut was successful. She was noticed.

After her first film work, Dasha was invited to star in the second part of Sergei Bodrov’s “Brother” - a film that at one time became a popular favorite. She perfectly got used to the role of the prostitute Daria. To star in “Brother 2” and transform into the proposed role, she had to make some sacrifices - cut her hair and shave her head bald. The actress parted with her hair without much thought.

It is interesting that the image of the prostitute Marilyn (aka Daria) was created specifically for Lesnikova. After all, even at the first casting she behaved brazenly and eccentrically, which is what made her stand out in the eyes of the director. Moreover, in this image the actress seemed very interesting to him.

Be that as it may, Daria looked very organic in the role of Marilyn from Brother 2.

The long-awaited happiness of Daria Yurgens

Now Daria regrets that her resentment towards her husband prevented them from seeing their son for a long time. Until the age of 10, Yegor called his father a completely different person - actor Pyotr Zhuravlev. Yurgens was tired of being unsettled, wandering around with a small child in dorms and rented corners. Even working in films didn’t bring in a lot of money back then.

A reliable rear was provided by an old friend Zhuravlev, who had long been in love with Daria.

Pyotr Zhuravlev in the film “Marked” (1991) and Daria Yurgens in the film “Brother-2” (2000)

For her sake, Peter left the theater and began selling leather jackets at the market. But this union was not built on love. At least from Jurgens' side. Returning from filming “Brother 2,” she took Yegor and left Zhuravlev for rented housing. Then the son learned the truth about his real father.

Daria is a very open person and always speaks honestly about her mistakes in interviews, this is very captivating.

Sergei Velikanov and Daria Yurgens with their daughter Sasha

Jurgens had no intention of starting a serious relationship anymore. Besides, there was no time for that - there was a demand for the profession and the first serious money for the Sea Devils. In 2003, she gave birth to a daughter, Sasha, from a short-term relationship with an actor whose name she does not say.

And immediately after that, the main person appeared in her life - stuntman and stunt coordinator Sergei Velikanov. They are together to this day and this is the only man who was completely on the same wavelength with Daria.

How did Lesnikova’s career as a film actress develop?

After the release of the film, Daria Lesnikova (Jurgens) learned what it means to be a truly popular actress. But there was a catch to this: after working in Bodrov’s film, the actress was simply bombarded with offers to act in films. But... quite often she was offered the same thing - to play a woman of easy virtue. She was attracted to classics and serious, deep images.

Next came “Streets of Broken Lanterns”, filming in the “NLS Agency”, “Cop Wars”, “House by the Big River”, “Landscape with Murder”, etc. Daria agreed to filming in TV series more for the sake of earning money, rather than for pleasure and professional development. Filming in TV series for her, as for many other actors, is just additional income and nothing more. An exception was the series “Sea Devils,” where the actress was offered the role of special forces soldier Bagheera. Lesnikova has long wanted to play a strong, serious, independent woman with a strong character in a movie. And the actress tried to perform all the stunts required by the script for her character on her own.

Daria Lesnikova, whose filmography is quite rich, has repeatedly emphasized that she does not particularly like modern Russian cinema. She prefers old Soviet films.

In 2005, Lesnikova received the title of Honored Artist of Russia.

Interesting Facts

The actress was known to audiences for many years as Daria Lesnikova. She decided to change her last name only in 2005. The star claims that she needed this in order not to interfere with the career of her beloved son, who bears the last name Lesnikov. The role of Grunya in the film “About Freaks and People” could have been played by a completely different actress. Yurgens was cast at the last minute and managed to impress director Balabanov with her confident demeanor. Also, the role of Daria in “Sea Devils” might not have happened. The actress had long wanted to portray the image of a strong woman on screen, but she doubted that she could play a heroine who was so different from herself. Jurgens calls herself a coward, while her character Margarita Koshkina from “Sea Devils” is distinguished by courage and determination, and feels confident in extreme situations.

The men in her life

Daria Lesnikova, whose personal life interests many fans, experienced her first serious feelings for a man at student age. They were followed by the first serious relationship, and then marriage.

Daria's first husband is actor Evgeny Dyatlov. She met him in the late 80s. With the charming Zhenya, they were then studying in the same course. They were married (3 years in a civil marriage, 4 years in an official marriage), in which the couple had a son, Yegor.

There were many problems in this early marriage all the time. First, the material ones: the early 90s were difficult times, and even more so for the acting family. Then – Zhenya’s betrayal. As a result, the couple separated, maintaining friendly relations.

Her second husband was also her colleague, theater actor Pyotr Zhuravlev. After getting married and living together for 7 years, Daria and Peter separated. They have a common daughter, Sasha.

During the filming of “The Sea Devil,” Daria Lesnikova unexpectedly met a new love. It turned out to be mutual. The chosen one of her heart was Sergei Velikanov (stunt coordinator and Dasha’s coach on the set). The lovers turned out to have a lot in common. Much more than with her first husband, Evgeny Dyatlov, as the actress herself believes. Now she and Sergei live together and are very happy.

Fear of heights

— How long have you been hanging around in strange corners in St. Petersburg?

— At first I lived in a student dormitory, then my first husband, actor Zhenya Dyatlov , and I rented a room, then an apartment. When I broke up with my second husband, actor Petya Zhuravlev , I rented an apartment with drunken grandmothers. And then I was lucky: I got into the series “Sea Devils”. Thanks to him, I saved up for an apartment, first a small one, then a larger one, and now I bought it for my son.

— They don’t pay in “…devils” for beautiful eyes.

— When I had to dive under water in Egypt, it was stressful for me. Although I received a diver certificate. I'm also terribly afraid of heights.

— But at 40, we passed our license.

“And I’ve been driving a car for eight years now.”

— Do you communicate with the musicians of the group “AuktYon”?

— I met them when my first husband sang in “AuktYon.” Zhenya recorded the album “How I Became a Traitor” with them. For some reason, stupidly, I persuaded him to leave. At a rock festival, the band leader, Leonid Fedorov, told him: “You won’t sing, you’ll play along on the violin.” Zhenya was offended, and then I told him: “Go away!” He moved to the Presence group. I like what Zhenya did on the Exactly Exact project, especially the image of Vladimir Vysotsky . He sang better than Vysotsky. When Zhenya sang romances, she reproached: “You betrayed rock and roll!”

Yura SHEVCHUK

- Why didn’t you give your son the surname Dyatlov? Which, by the way, was dissatisfied with.

- I have my own point of view. When we separated, I understood that maybe I wouldn’t have any more children. And Dyatlov may still have a bunch more. Secretly from him, I gave Yegor my father’s last name - Lesnikov . I didn’t apply for anything, I didn’t apply for alimony: if there’s an opportunity, pay, if not, then no.

— Dyatlov admitted to me in an interview that he regretted it when he told you about the betrayal. Should a man admit to infidelity?

- He should not cheat on his wife if there is love in the family.

- But you also cheated on Evgenia with the lead singer of “DDT” Yuri Shevchuk...

“I promised my mother not to talk about him.” She can't Shevchuk And by the way, I couldn’t stand the DDT group. Dyatlov and I often quarreled over his songs, because Zhenya treated Yuri well. I met Shevchuk when he was filming the video “Black Dog - Petersburg” in our theater. On my part, a close relationship with him was a mistake and stupidity. Later my eyes were opened - he’s just bullshit. The lofty words “Guys, children are born from love...” are bullshit. Nonsense. I don't trust this man. And I don’t believe his call “Let’s not have a war.”

Thanks to the series, the actress bought an apartment...

As a mother

In addition to the role of an actress, Daria Lesnikova (Jurgens) successfully copes with the role of a mother. She has 2 children: an already adult son, Egor, and a daughter, Sasha.

The son followed in his mother's footsteps. He chose the acting profession and graduated from the Academy of Theater Arts. Now Yegor Lesnikov works in the same place where his father began his acting career - at the Buff Theater (St. Petersburg). Since 2005, having made his debut in the film “The Tale of Happiness,” he has been acting in films at the same time. With his participation, the films “Inhale Exhale”, “1814”, “Katerina” were released. There were small roles in the TV series “Foundry”, “Sea Devils 4”, “Hounds 4”. In 2013, the young actor also became a young father: his daughter Alice was born.

Daria's daughter Alexandra (born in 2003) is still in school. He also enjoys figure skating and swimming.

In the same 2003, the actress said goodbye to her old surname and took her mother’s surname - she became Jurgens. This was caused by the desire to support my mother and her family, because his father’s surname of the Lesnikovs is already being continued in the cinema and theater by his son Yegor.

Waiting for her daughter did not become an obstacle to Lesnikova’s acting work. Throughout her pregnancy, Daria participated in filming and performances. For example, she played one of the key characters in the production of “Marquise de Sade”. As the actress admitted, she spent a lot of energy on this work by playwright Yukio Mishima. It was very difficult to work. “Every time I transform into René de Sade, I literally die by the end of the performance,” Daria says about her work in this performance.

Children, according to the actress, are the most important thing in her life. She tries to devote all her free time to them.

Creativity[ | ]

Theater roles[ | ]

Youth Theater on Fontanka[ | ]

• 1991 - “The Death of Van Halen” - Masha
• "Workshop of Nonsense" - Princess
• 1993 - “Moon Wolves” by Nina Sadur. Director: Vladimir Tumanov
  -
  Grandma
• 1995 - “The Threepenny Opera” by Bertolt Brecht. Director: Semyon Spivak
  -
  Lucy
• 1996 - “Night of Mistakes” by Oliver Goldsmith. Director: Mikhail Chernyak
  -
  Constance
• 1996 - “Street. Yard Vaska" - Katya the Rat
• 1997 - “Marquise de Sade” by Yukio Mishima. Director: Semyon Spivak
  -
  René de Sade
• 1997 - “Ivan Tsarevich” - Princess Milolika
• 1998 - “Screams from Odessa” Isaac Babel. Director: Semyon Spivak
  -
  Marusya
• 1999 - “Two on a Swing” - Gitel Mosca
• 2001 - “Lark” Jean Anouilh. Director: Semyon Spivak
  -
  Agnessa
• 2002 - “Sacred Monsters” Jean Cocteau. Director: Semyon Spivak
  -
  Lian
• 2004 - “Medea” by Euripides” Jean Anouilh. Director: Alexey Uteganov
  -
  Medea
• 2015 - “Napoleon’s Last Love” Jiri Hubac “His Imperial Majesty’s Adjutant, or Corsican” Semyon Yakovlevich Spivak

Mikhailovsky Theater[ | ]

• 2001 - “The Tragedy of the Russian Faun” - Romola de Pulski

Movie roles[ | ]

Voiceover[ | ]

Voice acting for computer games[ | ]

• 2007 - Super Cow - Super Cow

How Daria Yurgens lives now

The theater remained a priority for her. But, according to the actress, she is less attached to cinema. After all, it is in the theater that you can fully convey emotions to the audience, see their eyes and feel the connection. Spectators and actors will never be able to interact like this through a TV screen.

Nowadays, Daria Georgievna Yurgens continues to work at the Youth Theater, where she once began her professional journey. He plays different roles: big ones, not so big ones, and even small ones (but no less beloved for that).

As the actress herself admitted in one of her interviews, although she has been working in the theater for many years, she gets very excited every time she goes on stage.

And she's happy too. Just because I'm loved. Because she is not only an actress, but also the mother of two wonderful children. And even a young grandmother.

Daria Lesnikova is an actress whose films you want to watch several times. We wish Daria good luck and inspiration!

Theater

The creative biography of Daria Yurgens, if you do not take into account her children's appearances on stage at the Mariupol Drama Theater, began at the St. Petersburg Youth Theater. The chief director of the troupe, Semyon Spivak, was able to discern the talent in the young actress. Almost immediately, the director began to trust Jurgens with prominent roles.

The first performances in which theatergoers saw the artist were “Medea”, “Cries from Odessa”, “The Death of Van Halen” and “Luna Wolves”. Later, Daria Jurgens even got the role of Desdemona in Shakespeare's Othello.

Daria Yurgens in the theater

The artist almost never “betrayed” the youth theater. When Daria received offers from other St. Petersburg theaters, the actress refused every time. But one day she agreed to play Olivia in Twelfth Night: the girl really liked classical images. The play premiered at the Bolshoi Drama Theater and was a success.

The only thing that did not suit the artist about her work was the tiny salary, for which she could barely make ends meet.