Childhood and youth of Rimma Markova
Rimma was born on March 3, 1925 in the village of Churino, Samara province. Parents came from peasants, but creativity was not alien to them. Dad, Vasily Demyanovich, by chance, became an actor at the Saratov Drama Theater, mother, Maria Petrovna, became a make-up artist.
Rimma Markova in her youth
As a child, the girl took part in theater productions where her relatives worked, and later studied at a studio school in Vologda. When she was 19 and her brother Lena was 17, the two of them set off to conquer Moscow. Despite the fact that the course was completed, the Markovs were accepted into the Lenkom studio.
Biography
The legendary Soviet cinema actress Rimma Vasilievna Markova was born in a small village in the Samara region on March 3, 1925. Her parents were simple peasants, but since her father Vasily Demyanovich was known as a famous storyteller, he was invited to the troupe of the Saratov Drama Theater. He also got his wife Maria Petrovna to work there as a make-up artist. The whole family, in which two years after the birth of their daughter another son, Leonid, appeared, the Markovs lived in a small room at the theater.
Rimma Markova with her father and brother
Already in childhood, Rimma and Lenya appeared on stage. They, along with their father, began to play in theater productions. The energetic Rimma was successful in the roles of street children, and Lenya, on the contrary, played girls. He did it so well that the audience cried bitterly after the death scene of one of his heroines. After moving to Vologda, the brother and sister entered the drama studio with teacher Lydia Davydovna Rotbaum, who immediately saw great acting potential in the Markovs. She was a student of Ivan Nikolaevich Bersenev, the ward of Konstantin Sergeevich Stanislavsky, and after graduating from school she sent the children to enroll in Moscow.
Rimma Markova in her youth
With excellent recommendations, Rimma and Leonid got an audition for the studio at the Lenkom Theater at the moment when the recruitment was already completed, but Bersenev took them to his course without further ado. The lucky ones were accommodated in a small vestibule of the hostel, since all the rooms were already occupied. But they were happy about that too.
Rimma always greeted her student friends hospitably, putting everything she and her brother had on the table. Future theater and film stars often visited the Markovs' studio: Innokenty Smoktunovsky, Alexander Shirvindt, Mikhail Pugovkin.
Career of Rimma Markova
After completing her studies at Lenkom in 1951, Markova was left to play in this theater. Her first serious work on the theatrical stage was the image of a Komsomol member in the production “Second Love”.
Young actress Rimma Markova
Rimma’s film debut occurred a little later, in 1957 in the film “Next to Us” by Adolf Bergunker. Then the time came for her to play short cameo roles. However, every episode she played, both at the beginning of her career and later, acquired the utmost artistic expressiveness, maximum sincerity and turned into a unique, memorable film masterpiece. A striking example of this is the verdict on poor Lev Evgenievich to “cut to hell” in “Pokrovsky Gates” (in the role of a female surgeon), or the image of the switchwoman in “God Bless You,” where at first they almost fight with Mordyukova, then they make up and hugging, singing and crying.
Rimma Markova in the film “Pokrovsky Gate”
In 1962, she left Lenkom and for nine years performed as part of the Mosconcert concert teams. In 1966, the actress starred in the film “Wings,” which was highly appreciated by her contemporaries. Then, from 1971, Rimma served at the Film Actor's Theater. Rimma Markova: documentary film Markova had a chance to meet the people's favorite Lyubov Orlova on the set. They played together in the film “Starling and Lyra” (1974), Rimma - the wife of the German general von Leben, Lyubov Petrovna - their maid, in reality a Soviet intelligence officer.
Rimma Vasilievna Markova
In 1992, she retired, but did not stop acting in films.
"Nastya" (1993)
When choosing an actress for the role of the reincarnated Anastasia Plotnikova, Georgy Danelia, the director of the film, looked for that distinctive feature in the candidates that would characterize the heroine as restrained and at the same time unapproachable. Irina Markova played the prettier Nastya, a girl who with all her soul strove to get a model appearance. But after the dream finally came true, the heroine realized how much more important internal qualities are than a sweet appearance.
According to the director's idea, the “beautiful” Nastya had to preserve the vulnerable modesty and childish naivety of the heroine. Since Irina at that time was distinguished by her ability to maintain the right facial expression, she managed to play a slightly reserved person, embarrassed by the circumstances that had befallen her. Until now, fans of the actress recall the images of Markova, which contain a mystery...
The best films of Rimma Markova
Film critics consider the military drama “An Indian’s Kingdom” to be the most significant work in the work of the film legend, which brought her unprecedented popularity. For this role she was awarded a special award at the San Sebastian Film Festival (1968) and received an award at the All-Union Film Festival in the Belarusian capital (1970).
Rimma Markova in the film “The Indian Kingdom”
According to her, there has never been any downtime in Markova’s acting life. It happened that filming went on for days on end. For ten years from 1973, she starred in the television series based on the novel of the same name by Anatoly Ivanov “The Eternal Commander”, in 1981 - in “Rodna”, in 1982 - in the comedy film “Take care of men!” and in the two-part film “Pokrovsky Gate”, in 1986-1987. - “Midshipmen, forward!”
The second role is also the last
After the sensational “Show Boy”, Markova began to receive many filming offers from directors. Irina looked at them for a long time and settled on the film “Nastya”. When choosing an actress for the role of Anastasia Plotnikova, who experienced the transformation from a “gray mouse” into a beauty, the director imagined a beautiful, charming girl, but at the same time reserved and even unapproachable.
A broken nail is no problem: tips for treating nails at home
The newlyweds traveled all over the world and took wedding photos in every country
From athletes to Hollywood stars: men Naomi Campbell
And Georgy Danelia managed to find one in the person of Irina Markova. The heroine of the film strived with all her might to look like a model in order to be in demand among men. But when she managed to realize her dream, the girl realized that what came first was not beauty, but kindness and decency. The role was very successful for the actress; she gained many fans who remember the image created by Irina Markova to this day.
Nonna Mordyukova and Rimma Markova
Nonna Mordyukova was Rimma's best friend. They were often confused due to the fact that they were both stately beauties, as Nonna noted, “from the same stud farm,” with similar Soviet training, temperament and fate. They were really close, often quarreled, made peace, but always stood by each other like a mountain. When they were offered the same role, Rimma gave in, believing that Nonna would play better. Rimma Markova and Nonna Mordyukova in social advertising Nikita Mikhalkov invited Markova to the film “Kinfolk” on Mordyukova’s recommendation. He was terribly amused when Nonna offered to give her the role, arguing the need for this by the fact that Rimma practices karate.
Irina Markova: filmography
View gallery
After graduating from high school, Irina set off to conquer show business: she dreamed of becoming part of this fantastic world. The result was participation in the film “Show Boy” - a teenage drama in which different representatives of society are depicted, their views on life, morality, and behavior are clearly presented.
After 2 years, the next film in the actress’s career, “Nastya,” was released. This time Irina Markova played a modest girl who transformed from a “gray mouse” into a charming woman. The film is permeated with lightness and sincerity, so it’s easy to watch. Both heroines have charisma, which allows the audience to completely submit to their charm.
Personal life of Rimma Markova
Rimma Vasilievna visited the wedding ceremony three times.
The actress's first husband was a Greek military pilot for about a year. They met in Makhachkala, where she came on vacation after graduating. The second time she was ringed by Vladimir Nikitin, who, according to their daughter Tatyana (who was born in 1961), was a striking handsome man who loved women and wine. They lived with him for six years. Nikitin met his daughter twice in his life - when she was 16 and 23 years old. Tatyana works as a cosmetologist, and in 1995 she gave Rimma Markova a grandson, Fyodor.
Rimma Markova, her daughter Tatyana and grandson Fedor
The third marriage of the “queen of the episode,” as Markova was called, thundered throughout the USSR. At a festival in Spain, the wealthy Spanish Baron Antonio fell in love with her. They got married in 1971 in Moscow, but after 3 years the husband, without filing a divorce, returned to his country. After this, the actress gave up on her personal life.
Acting career
Alexey Markov began to receive his first roles while studying at the theater school named after. M.S. Shchepkina. His cinematic career began in 2000 with a role in the Russian detective series by I. Aposyan “Maroseyka 12: Indian Summer”.
Young Alexey’s talent was noticed at the theater school and after graduation he was invited to the filming of the series “Students”, where he played the role of a journalist. A year later, the actor gained wide fame and popularity thanks to his role in the familiar TV series “Kadetstvo” about the life of students of the Suvorov Military School.
In total, Markov has about twenty roles in various films and TV series. After the success of “Kadetstvo”, the actor received roles in such TV series as “Cursed Paradise”, “Thirty Years”, “Freud’s Method 2”.
Alexey Markov became known to a wider Russian audience after his role in the military drama “Fog”. The film tells the story of a modern unit of the Russian army, which is incredibly transported back in time, during the Second World War. The film was released on May 9, 2010 to celebrate Victory Day.
One of Markov’s latest roles to date is the comedic role of the professional swindler Michael in the Russian-Ukrainian comedy series “Hotel Eleon,” released in 2016. At the moment, the latest films in which the actor took part are the films “We Won’t Say Goodbye” (2017) and “The Lighthouse Keeper” (2018).
Rimma Markova in the last years of her life
Among the modern works in the movie star’s creative treasury are the films “Night Watch” and “Day Watch”, as well as “Three and a Snowflake”, “Burnt by the Sun - 2” (2010).
Rimma Markova - Ballad of Mother In addition to her main role, the actress was engaged in social and political work, helped elderly actors from A Just Russia, participated in television projects, and remained active and energetic until the very last days of her life. Having extensive experience and a film career, the star lived in a one-room apartment in the capital. Rimma Markova was the laureate of many diplomas and prizes, awarded the Order of Honor and the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree.
Filmography
- "Woman's Kingdom" - (1967)
- "Eternal Call" - (1973-1983)
- "Starling and Lyra" - (1974)
- "Sweet Woman" - (1976)
- "Kinfolk" - (1981)
- “Vacation at your own expense” - (1981)
- “Pokrovsky Gate” - (1982)
- "Take care of men!" - (1982)
- "Cliff" - (1983)
- "Obstacle Course" - (1984)
- "Midshipmen, forward!" - (1987)
- “Souvenir for the Prosecutor” - (1989)
- "Night Watch" - (2004)
- "Day Watch" - (2006)
- “Three and a Snowflake” - (2007)
- “The Best Movie” - (2007)
- “Burnt by the Sun 2” - (2010)
Death of Rimma Markova
Rimma Vasilievna died in her sleep on January 15, 2020 after a serious and long illness. The actress defeated cancer three times - malignant tumors were diagnosed on the neck, ovaries, and intestines. She was last operated on in March 2014.
Funeral of Rimma Markova
The actress was buried, at her request, quietly, without a memorial service or official speeches at the Nikolo-Arkhangelskoye cemetery near Moscow. Her death is considered a huge loss for Russian theater and cinema. Rimma Markova: character is not sugar, soul is not refined sugar. A great actress from the people and a symbol of the Soviet era, who herself often called herself a woman, embodied the best features of the long-suffering but strong Russian women of her generation - she hated lies, was mentally generous, sincere, principled, took care of loved ones, helped the offended. Rimma Vasilievna commanded respect because she did not tolerate falsehood and flattery, she always said exactly what she thought, turning this rule into her most important life credo. Moreover, she made most of her claims to herself, and not to those around her.
