Yan Arlazorov: biography
Our hero's family was the most ordinary. Arlazorov Yan Mayorovich (although this is not entirely correct, more precisely - Meyerovich) was born into a Jewish family on August 26, 1947 in Moscow. His father, Maer Shmulyevich (Meyer Samoilovich) Shulrufer, was born in 1923, a participant in the Great Patriotic War, after which he worked as a lawyer. Mother, Raisa Yakovlevna Arlazorova, is a surgeon. Jan's younger brother, Leonid Meyerovich Shulrufer, continued his mother's work.
In many ways, Yan inherited his talent and passion for art from his grandfather, who worked at the Vakhtangov Theater.
While studying at school, our hero often skipped classes. Unfortunately for his parents, Ian was a fat child. Due to problems with excess weight, his mother and father constantly tried to enroll Ian in sports clubs, which he, in turn, also managed to skip. He managed to lose weight only thanks to a strong desire to enter drama school. This forced him to train hard. For Ian, this was the first victory over himself in his life.
Biography
Yan Arlazorov was born in Moscow on August 26, 1947. His father was lawyer, doctor and Red Army officer Maer Shulrufer, and his mother was surgeon Raisa Yakovlevna Arlazorova. It was his mother’s surname that the future famous artist bore for most of his life, since in Soviet times it was much easier to live with a Russian surname than with an openly Jewish one.
The family of Maer and Raisa also had a second child, Leonid Arlazorov, who was Ian’s younger brother. The age difference between the children of the Shulrufer family was 9 years; Leonid became a candidate of mathematical sciences.
As Arlazorov himself later said, he had an amazingly beautiful mother and an extremely courageous, respectable father. Maer and Larisa managed to maintain their extraordinary love for many decades and raised their children in a loving and strong family. They had a wonderful relationship, and, according to Ian, all the best in him comes from his parents.
Yan Arlazorov in childhood
During his childhood, the eldest son of the Arlazorov family, Shulrufer, grew up as a well-rounded child. He was not an excellent student at school, but he studied quite well. In addition, he was quite successful in athletics, football and some other sports. Many paths were open to Jan - but he was truly fascinated only by the theater.
The artist’s grandfather played an important role in this hobby. He once worked on stage, about which he often told his grandson funny and interesting stories.
Inspired by his example, Ian began to seriously think about entering a theater school. The parents did not particularly approve of this choice: they believed that the acting profession was synonymous with lack of money, and they wanted their son to devote himself to science.
Yan Arlazorov | Volzhskaya newspaper
But the purposeful guy did not give up. Day and night he told his parents that he wanted to build a creative career on stage. As a result, the family gave in to their son’s pressure, but set him a strict condition: he must successfully pass all the entrance exams to the best Moscow theater school the first time. If he fails, he will choose another profession. Ian agreed and entered the Shchukin Theater School without any problems.
Creative path
After school, Ian, in 1965, entered the Shchukin Theater School and successfully graduated from it (in 1969). Then, from 1970 to 1973, the young man worked at the Central Children's Theater of Moscow, where he mainly played comedy characters. At the end of 1970 he began working at the Mossovet Theater. He devoted 30 years of his life to this stage. And this did not become the limit of his dreams. Despite the fact that most of his life was devoted to the theater, in the late 90s Ian began working on the stage, as he was bored in his previous place. At the age of 40, our hero became truly famous.
As a pop artist in 1978, Yan Arlazorov, whose biography until that moment was not so bright, first showed himself at Rostislav Plyatt’s anniversary. At the evening, our hero was the host and conducted it brilliantly.
Yan Arlazorov's debut (as a film actor) in 1971 was the film “Chronicle of the Night”. But the film was not shot in his usual comedy genre, but vice versa. This script contained scenes of explosions and shootouts in abundance. Perhaps this influenced the fact that Yan left cinema for eight years after filming this film.
In 1979, at the sixth All-Union competition of pop artists, Arlazorov became a laureate. Jan's popularity was brought to him by his comedic role as an eternally dissatisfied cashier.
Arlazorov worked in “Full House” with such comedians as G. Vetrov, Yu. Galtsev, E. Vorobey, S. Drobotenko and others.
In 1997 he received the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. In 2004, Yang published a book of wisdom called "Yanki". In 2008 he was awarded the Order of Honor. He starred in such films as “Quote”, “Carnival Night-2”, “Jolly Neighbors”.
Variety career
In the late 80s - early 90s of the twentieth century, Arlazorov directed his creative search towards the stage, and it was then that the artist gave absolute free rein to his comedic talent. His monologues from the “Cashier” series, the main character of which began any phrase with the characteristic word “Gospidia,” made the entire Soviet Union laugh.
Another popular monologue by Ian was the performance “Hey, Man,” which absorbed the best of the comedian’s unique pop style. And the phrase “Man, did you understand what you said?” is widely used in everyday life to this day. The monologue “Gopher” or “The Ancient Eastern Legend of Sausage”, as well as many other performances by the artist, caused no less laughter.
At the turn of the 20th - 21st centuries, Yan Arlazorov often worked in the well-known program “Full House,” which also broadcast numbers of such comedians as Sergei Drobotenko, Yuri Galtsev, Elena Vorobey, Gennady Vetrov and many others. The comedian knew how to work correctly with the audience, improvised easily and portrayed each of his characters very colorfully. His talent brought him not only the sincere love of the audience, but also the honorary title of Honored Artist of Russia.
The first spoken word artist
At his performances, Yan Arlazorov often involved the audience, who automatically became his co-authors, in his performances. At that time, he was the only actor working directly, without fear of the viewer’s reaction and any development of events. From the stage he addressed the person with the words: “Hey, man...” The performances cost Arlazorov enormous strength and great tension. Only from the outside it seemed that the artist was working in a relaxed atmosphere. And it was worth it. The audience was delighted with his performances. Arlazorov seemed so close and dear to them, because anyone could communicate with him at a concert and take part in his impromptu performances. Basically, our hero wrote the text of his speeches himself, although sometimes he resorted to the help of professionals.
Honored Artist
Surprisingly, on stage this modest and sad man revealed himself and became literally unrecognizable.
His signature “Hey, man!” and “God!” familiar to every viewer. By the way, the catchphrase: “Man, did you understand what you said?” was first uttered by a parodist at home while watching Brezhnev's speech on TV. Then it migrated to his monologues. Charming, witty, and sometimes extremely daring, Arlazorov became the first parodist working with the audience. During his performances, he improvised, dragging random spectators onto the stage. No one had done this before; everyone read a memorized text from the stage. What if something goes wrong? But for Arlazorov everything always worked out “that way.”
He had an instant reaction and an amazing sense of humor, which always helped him out. “What’s interesting here is the moment of unpredictability from contact with the viewer. To improvise and hold the attention of, for example, a two-thousand-person hall takes enormous effort, the tension is colossal, your shirt is always wet,” Arlazorov said in an interview.
In a word, even in parody he remained true to his calling - he was an actor. And the people recognized him as one of their own; Arlazorov’s concerts began to sell out. Colleagues on the stage borrowed his main technique from Arlazorov: now everyone began to pull the audience onto the stage. Yang just laughed at this: “They don’t understand that this is already outdated. This was interesting before, when the viewer was official and closed-minded. And today’s uncomplicated consumer has something to shout, something to fart... So, we need to look, come up with something else.”
It’s paradoxical: Ian was loved by thousands, millions of spectators, but he was always alone. His colleagues did not like him: he was too proud, arrogant, and could be rude to his face. He also did not reciprocate: “Our genre is being killed by those who accustom the viewer to the primitive. Previously, there were some people “watching the bar” who set the level: Utesov, Gerdt, Plyatt, Dudnik... Now there is practically no one to watch this. But the stage is originally art...”
Arlazorov didn’t even have friends. He often complained: “Now there are the concepts of “bank”, “credit”, “partner”, but the concept of “friend”, it seems to me, no longer exists. Previously, there were people who could save a friend at the cost of their own lives. I was raised by my father, so I know what I'm talking about. And I’m used to coming to the rescue, without thinking about myself, I’m ready to give my last shirt.
But now you rarely meet people who are ready to do the same. Of course, I have pleasant friends with whom I communicate. But for people to come to me, for me to receive guests, that doesn’t exist either.”
Jan Maerovich really knew how to come to the rescue - these are not just lofty words. Proof of this is his radio program “People's Ambulance”. A pensioner calls - the wheels have been removed from his Zaporozhets, there is nothing to go to the hospital with. Arlazorov announces the address on air, and a pile of wheels grows near the elderly man’s house! Thanks to the kind people who responded. The same thing happened with paying for urgent operations for children and visiting lonely people in a nursing home.
Even the ensemble of the beginning Nadezhda Babkina with instruments for which there was no money, Arlazorov helped! Hearing Jan Maerovich’s cry on the radio, people carried their button accordions, pipes, flutes... Arlazorov admired: “This is a kind of national idea, you know? This indifference to the grief of others in Russia is the most important and dearest thing for me. Only Russians have such qualities!”
Ambulance "Arla Zorro"
In the late 90s, Yan Arlazorov was the host of the “People's Ambulance” program on Avtoradio. He was called "Doctor Arla Zorro". Radio listeners from all over the country called our hero to talk about their troubles, hoping for help. One day, Jan helped the father of a sick daughter who needed surgery in Germany. On air, he announced the phone number of the parents of a sick child, and one of the listeners helped the unfortunate family with money. And this case is not isolated. At one time, Jan helped a sick boy who needed a blood transfusion. There was also a case when a disabled person from the Great Patriotic War needed help, whose wheels were stolen from a Cossack given to him for the Victory Day. For him, Jan collected a large number of car wheels. He helped a disabled person who had no arms or legs and whom no one visited in the hospital to make many friends who came to him after hearing a radio program. And this is only a small part of the good deeds of Dr. Arla Zorro. But two years later, for unknown reasons, the program was closed.
Illness and death
Yan Arlazorov passed away on March 7, 2009, at the age of 61. The cause of death was a malignant tumor of the stomach, which also affected the pancreas and gall bladder.
Yan Arlazorov lost a lot of weight due to illness | Obzorfoto
Having learned about his terrible diagnosis, the actor decided to be baptized (before that he was an atheist). Arlazorov struggled with the disease for a long time and painfully, while he categorically did not want to go under the surgeon’s knife. Instead, he sought out healers and engaged in therapeutic fasting.
Two years after Ian’s death, a documentary film called “Yan Arlazorov. People's Man of Russia."
First and last marriage
Yan Arlazorov’s wife studied, like him, at the Shchukin Theater School. The future wife's name was Yola Sanko. After finishing their studies they got married.
Yola’s career was more successful than that of her husband. She was invited to play in films and theater. Ian was not entirely happy with this, since he wanted Yola to devote more time to him. The newlyweds often quarreled, did not want to give in to each other, and were constantly absent from work. This did not suit them, but the couple did not want to change anything in their lives. Even the birth of their daughter Alena did not save the family. One day, returning home from work, Ian did not find his wife and baby at home. After three years of marriage, Yola left Moscow without even telling Yan where, leaving her husband and leaving a successful career. She often had to play in various provincial theaters. All this time, Ian unsuccessfully searched for his wife and daughter. When they were finally found, Ian tried to improve relations with his wife, but to no avail. This marriage was not destined to last long. His relationship with his daughter was also unstable. After his first unsuccessful marriage, Jan did not marry a second time. The ideal woman, he said, was his mother.
After the breakup
After leaving the family, the young woman and her daughter lived completely unsettled. Once she even spent the night at train stations, then suddenly, giving up a successful career in the Moscow theater, she decided to leave for Lvov - she was invited to join the local theater troupe. She then lived with her daughter in the theater dressing room. And for her, the breakup with her husband was not painless - her hair fell out from her experiences, and she constantly had to wear a headscarf and go on stage in a wig.
All this time, Jan’s parents, who missed their granddaughter, and he himself tried to find Yela, but to no avail. Colleagues and friends of Yan Arlazorov said that for many years after this event the artist had a hard time with the breakup of his relationship with his wife and largely blamed himself. This stress caused him health problems, insomnia and depression.
After some time, Ela returned to Moscow, but, apparently, the old resentment was so strong that any contact with her ex-husband was out of the question.
Yan Arlazorov never again risked starting a family. And when he was asked questions about his personal life, the artist, as a rule, answered that he was married to his work.
Jan's disease
In 2007, Arlazorov was diagnosed with a stomach tumor. Despite his illness and the pain it caused him, Ian went on stage and demonstrated excellent health with his entire appearance. This same year, the artist celebrates his 60th birthday. All this further aggravated the health condition of our hero. But he had no time for himself. Arlazorov's mother was sick with cancer, from which she soon died. His father was also very ill. And Arlazorov used all his strength to treat them. Later, the artist underwent surgery, but the disease did not recede. He was asked to undergo a second operation in Moscow. Arlazorov refused and went to Germany for treatment. He was operated on again there, but everything was unsuccessful.
Before his death, Arlazorov did not want to see anyone. His brother and father were on duty at his bedside. The daughter was not nearby, although Ian was waiting to meet her.
Death of Yan Arlazorov
No matter how great a person is, illness and death spare no one. Each has its own time. On March 7, 2009, Yan Arlazorov died. The funeral took place on the 11th at the Vostryakovsky cemetery.
For everyone who wanted to say goodbye to Arlazorov, the doors of the State Variety Theater were open. A river of people stretched there in an endless line: friends, relatives and fans. Arlazorov’s ex-wife was not present at Arlazorov’s funeral. Daughter Alena still came to say goodbye to her father.
Death
Both from overstrain at work and due to personal troubles, the artist became seriously ill. Doctors diagnosed him with a malignant tumor, which ultimately became the cause of Yan Arlazorov’s death. In 2009, after a long period of illness, he passed away.
Before his death, he really wanted to say goodbye to his ex-wife and daughter, but they never came. True, Alena appeared, but only at the funeral.
On August 26, 2020, Yan Arlazorov, an outstanding Russian actor, would have turned 70 years old.
Now you know the biography of Yan Arlazorov.
