Actor Vasiliev Yuri. Filmography, biography

Biography

Since childhood, Yuri Vasiliev stood out for his versatile talents.
He was involved in drawing and sports, singing and playing the violin. But still, his main dream was the theater stage, the first steps towards which he began to take in the studio at the Novosibirsk Youth Theater. The boy's idol was the brilliant French romantic actor Gerard Philippe. With a photograph of this actor in his pocket, Vasiliev, after graduating from school, set off to conquer Moscow. He entered the Theater School named after B.V. Shchukin on the course of Yuri Katin-Yartsev. Among the students, he was distinguished by his enviable control of the body and his passion for pantomime and dancing. The famous ballet premier Maris Liepa called Yuri the best dancer among dramatic artists.

His talent as a character actor also emerged at the school. In his graduation performance, Vasiliev played the Duke of Buckingham - the scene with his participation lasted less than 10 minutes, but always caused laughter and applause. The whole theatrical Moscow started talking about the young talent.

Cause of death of Yuri Vasiliev

The main reason that prevented People's Artist of the Russian Federation Yuri Vasiliev from becoming a truly popular actor, a favorite of the general public and an idol of a crowd of fans, was his sophisticated beauty. He was too handsome for the times in which he had to work and had an innate aristocratic manners and taste that were inappropriate on the screen in large doses. Vasiliev had success on the theater stage and was good in those roles that suited his type, but he was rarely invited to modern films. The cause of death of Yuri Vasiliev was a heart attack.

He was born in Moscow in 1939 and graduated from GITIS in 1966. After studying, he entered the Maly Theater, where he worked until the end of his life. Vasiliev’s film debut was the film “Sponge Catchers”, in which he got the role of Nikolos. Fame came to the actor after the main role of Yuri Alyabyev in Sergei Gerasimov’s film “The Journalist”. He woke up after the premiere as a celebrity whom the whole country recognized and letters for him came in batches. Perhaps the actor had many hopes for future success after such a triumph, but - alas! – it didn’t take place. His specificity was not suitable for every role.

In total, Yuri Vasiliev played in more than 20 films and several roles were first. This was the image of Prince Orlovsky in the musical “The Bat,” the leader of the jazz orchestra in the comedy “We are from Jazz,” and Arkady in the film adaptation of the novel “Fathers and Sons.” Basically, the actor’s creative activity was realized on the theater stage. But even in the theater, Vasiliev, due to his decency and restraint, did not know how to maneuver among the general acting bustle, beg and intrigue.

According to the recollections of those close to him, he was a very decent and self-controlled man with excellent taste and the upbringing of an English gentleman. Sergei Nikonenko, who starred with Vasiliev in the film “The Journalist,” recalled the “amazingly moral ideas about life that the actor followed.” He believed that a subtle connoisseur of talent and beauty, Sergei Gerasimov, who worked with the performers “like a good gardener, grew his sprouts. And if you took an actor from the outside, it means there was something in Vasiliev.”

One more time fate smiled at Vasiliev during the release of Vladimir Menshov’s melodrama “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears,” where he superbly played Rachkov, who seduced and abandoned the main character with her child. It was a small, but “piece” role, which he coped with superbly. True, there were no letters from fans this time, as Yuri’s wife, actress Nelly Kornienko, noted: the character turned out to be too unlikable.

Vasiliev met his wife at the age of 18. Three years later, in 1960, they got married, so as not to be separated for 39 years. In 1967, their daughter Ekaterina was born and the actor loved her very much, unlike his unprincipled hero. He died as restrainedly and delicately as he lived: he lay down on the sofa and his heart stopped. This happened 4 months before Yuri Vasiliev’s 60th birthday, in 1999.

He is buried at the Donskoye Cemetery in Moscow.

Theater

In 1976, after graduating from college, Vasiliev came to the Satire Theater. One of his first appearances on stage was the role of an alcoholic - he replaced Spartak Mishulin, who left for filming. Yuri did not copy his older colleague, he came up with his own makeup and costume - he dressed “like an intellectual,” picked up the “Health” magazine, but at the same time he could barely stand on his feet.

“I got into Satire at the moment when Pluchek and Mironov had a conflict,” says Yuri Vasiliev. “So I was included in six performances where Mironov played the main roles. It was a very dangerous moment, because another actor would most likely begin to crush me. But not Mironov. For some reason he showed interest in me.”

Subsequently, Yuri Vasiliev was often called the successor of Andrei Mironov, and this is justified. Andrei Alexandrovich himself called him that, whom Vasiliev considers his teacher. “When I saw how Andrei Aleksandrovich Mironov worked, that’s when I realized what true passion for work is. It was he who infected me with it. I’m interested in trying to do something that I haven’t done before,” says Yuri Vasiliev.

Over time, Yuri Vasiliev became the leading actor of the theater. Over more than 30 years of work, he played dozens of roles, including “The Threepenny Opera” and “Schizophrenia,” “Victor, or Children in Power” and “The Youth of Louis,” “An Ideal Husband” and “Barefoot in the Park.” The role in the play “Andryusha” is especially loved by the artist. This performance is dedicated to Andrei Mironov, his life and work within the walls of his native theater.

June 4 marks the 15th anniversary of the death of Yuri Vasiliev. Today we remember an actor who played few roles in films, but remained in his history and in the memory of the audience

“Journalist”, or Wake up famous Yuri Vasiliev became a movie star with lightning speed, with the light hand of Sergei Gerasimov.
When Sergei Appolinarievich’s films came out, new ones immediately appeared, as they would say today – sex symbols. This was the case with Yuri Vasiliev, who woke up as a sex symbol after the release of the film “The Journalist.” Gerasimov loved beautiful, talented artists, what they call charisma.

The director knew how to film love - just look at the scene when Alyabyev rushes to Shura's (Galina Polskikh) house, knowing that she lives alone: ​​today's naked eroticism compared to the energy of these shots is kindergarten and cannot be compared with Gerasimov's idea let the viewer dream away if they like the characters, and the master always had them attractive.

Photo: kino-teatr.ru

An international journalist from Moscow fell in love with a Ural working girl

And, by the way, the prestige of the journalistic profession grew greatly after the release of the film - Gerasimov had a magical gift: everything he filmed about became interesting and came into view. And the actors were chosen by those who could convey his, the director’s, love for the topic, for the problem, for people, for professions. His own crush on the actors is visible on screen. He guessed the uniqueness in Vasilyev. Why is the hero curious? Handsome, calm, smart, aristocratic, imposing, but honest and professional. And this was Gerasimov’s dream of an ideal. This is how the director imagined the hero of the 1960s. As colleagues say, Vasiliev himself was like that.

On the eve of the memorable date, Sergei Nikonenko recalled his partner in the film “Journalist”:

– I remember Yura, although 47 years have passed since the filming. I remember a young, handsome, extremely decent man, actor and husband. I saw how girls looked at him, although the film had not yet come out, but he kept talking about his love for his wife. He had amazing moral ideas about life that he followed. Just be careful with the word sex symbols; in my time no one said that Lyubov Orlova was a sex symbol. Or Tamara Makarova, an amazingly beautiful woman. This is beauty that elevates, with it it is impossible to commit a bad act. This is what beauty is. I was a graduate of Sergei Gerasimov, and he worked with us like a good gardener: he grew his sprouts. And if he took an actor “from the outside,” it means there was something in Vasiliev.

Photo: kino-teatr.ru

Yuri and Nelly: young, happy, talented

“Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears,” or Small Rachkov for Happiness Vasiliev created another scene of seduction just as reliably in the film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears.” He was again chosen as the director to seduce the girl. Menshov also added status to his good looks: TV personality. The profession had just appeared in those years, but had already become fashionable. The television employee was as curious as an astronaut. An interesting metropolitan man, self-confident, with a mysterious profession - not only a naive, pure-hearted provincial girl will not resist. Rudolf, aka Rodion, is a brightly portrayed anti-hero by the director. But you just have to feel sorry for him: everything could have happened - and nothing happened, he missed the bird of happiness. How did Vasiliev play him? So authentic that it is merciless towards the character.

Photo: Wikipedia

Rodion Rachkov, having had his hopes dashed, came to try his luck with the family he had neglected in his youth

They write about him that he played mainly supporting roles in films. I don't agree. “The Journalist”, “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears”, the count is the host of the ball in “Die Fledermaus”, the leader of the orchestra in “We Are From Jazz” - this is all the foreground. The first shot is when the actor is remembered by the viewer. Everything else is secondary.

Maly Theater, love and all life The future actor was born on October 12, 1939 in Moscow.

In 1961 he graduated from GITIS and came to the Maly Theater, came forever. He played in the plays “Masquerade”, “Mad Money”, “Cyrano de Bergerac”, “The Murder of Gonzago”, “Feast of the Winners”.

Photo: kino-teatr.ru

“The Bat”, 1979, the king of the carnival, Prince Orlovsky

Vasiliev’s colleague, artist of the Maly Theater, People’s Artist of Russia Yuri Kayurov spoke about Vasiliev:

– Yura Vasiliev was a wonderful, beautiful person. He’s been gone for 15 years now... I always admired him when we played together in a play, for example, in Bondarev’s “The Choice.” You won’t forget him: he graced the stage of the Maly Theater; there were few artists like him both in terms of texture and kindness. Everyone loved him.

One Love

They were an unusually beautiful couple. Yuri Nikolaevich was married to the leading actress of the Maly Theater Nelly Kornienko - the beauty who played Tanya in the film “Our House” and Emilia in the legendary television play “The Makropoulos Remedy”. They were a match for each other. And, as they said, both were jealous of their soulmate.

Photo: kino-teatr.ru

Nelly Kornienko is one of the most beautiful actresses of the Maly Theater

Care

Vasiliev died at the age of 59 from a heart attack. He was buried at the Donskoye Cemetery next to his parents.

Photo: kino-teatr.ru

Yuri Vasiliev with his daughter Ekaterina, who looks more like her mother

Movie

Yuri Borisovich rarely appears in films. His first notable film work was the role of Doctor Yura in the children's film “4:0 in favor of Tanechka.” The most famous roles are in the adventure film “Dolphin Cry” and the television play “Don Quixote and Don Juan”. In the 2000s they began to actively invite him to TV series. Yuri Vasiliev appeared in the films “Beauty Salon”, “Zemsky Doctor. Love in spite of”, “Dog’s work”, “I’m going out to look for you”.

“Today, on the screen and on stage, the hero is the “duhless”. A stereotype has formed that mass art follows, but public consciousness is not yet able to overcome this stereotype. But in life there is a place for completely different heroes. I travel a lot, I come across people of different professions, social status, age - sincere, honest, doing their job with dignity, which today seems almost impossible. Life is much more diverse than its reflection in art,” says Yuri Vasiliev.

Main role in a movie

His next film work was his role in “The Journalist” (directed by S. Gerasimov, 1967). This picture turned out to be thoroughly Soviet, naive, glorifying the life of the common man. Unfortunately, it is not one of the favorite works of Soviet cinema, but Vasiliev played it vividly and directly. The film received first prize at the Moscow International Festival. Vasiliev’s partner on the set was Galina Polskikh. The actors played love so believably that the actor’s wife Nelly Kornienko, who was present at the premiere, later recalled that she was even jealous of her husband.

After the film was released, actor Vasiliev Yuri Nikolaevich, in the eyes of fans, began to be associated with the hero he played. Letters came to him in batches, some even offered him marriage (and this in front of his pregnant wife). Such wild fame was fleeting: after “The Journalist,” the directors did not spoil Vasiliev with leading roles, which is quite strange. It would seem that his wonderful, bright appearance should have been an additional trump card, and as an actor, Yuri Nikolaevich Vasiliev was a real professional - but he never had the opportunity to fully realize his talent.

Teacher

From 1989 to 1996, Yuri Vasiliev taught acting at the Shchukin School. Since 1996 - at GITIS. In addition, he works on the jury of the Andrei Mironov International Acting Song Competition and teaches the subject “Introduction to Theater” at one of the Moscow schools.

“I am a singing actor, and it pains me to see what is happening on our stage. For me, the stage is Gilbert Becaud, Charles Aznavour, who go on stage and there is nothing there but an orchestra. This is what they call holding the hall! Without special lighting and special effects, without this ridiculous backup dancers. I don’t reveal anything new to my students, I just want them to take a meaningful approach to what they do on the stage. So that what they sing has meaning: a good song is always a little story, and so that they can convey this meaning to the listener,” says the artist.

Acting destinies

Muscovite Yuri Vasiliev and Ryazan resident Alexander Fatyushin had one thing in common: both left this world early. They burned out before their time, remaining young and beautiful in their best films. Viewers of the TV Center channel will find out how their lives turned out by watching the documentary “Actors' Fates. Yuri Vasiliev and Alexander Fatyushin."

Fate brought these actors together on the set of the film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears.” Director Vladimir Menshov offered the role of the charming and treacherous cameraman Rudolf to Vladimir Ivashov. But he didn’t want to play a scoundrel - he really valued his positive film image. Evgeny Zharikov, Oleg Vidov, Lev Prygunov did not want to act... And then Menshov remembered the stately and handsome artist working at the Maly Theater Yuri Vasiliev.

The general public recognized him after the film “The Sponge Catchers.” And, as often happens, viewers projected on-screen love into real life. But this time the fiction turned out to be true: Vasiliev married his partner Nelly Kornienko. They played together on the stage of the Maly Theater. In 1965, director Sergei Gerasimov invited Vasiliev to play the main role in the film “The Journalist”. The actor was absolutely at home with French actors and on the streets of Geneva. He knew how to wear expensive suits, eat, drink and smoke beautifully. However, Vasiliev is no less organic in the scenes that take place in the small town of Gornouralsk.

“The Journalist” was a great audience success, and Yuri Vasiliev became a real Soviet sex symbol. Everyone around, including the actor himself, was sure that now they would start filming him a lot. But his Hollywood appearance hindered him - Soviet cinema required other types. Vasiliev rarely appeared on screen. Although they loved him in the theater, his wife shone there, and the main male roles were most often given to his friend, Vitaly Solomin... And only 12 years later, Yuri Vasiliev finally received an invitation to one of the main roles in the film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears” . What toast did the actor make during the filming of “The Journalist”? What did Sergei Gerasimov propose to do to him and Sergei Nikonenko? What was the similarity between the actor and his on-screen character Rudolph? You will find out from the film.

If Menshov was looking for an actor for the role of Rudolf for quite a long time, then the hockey player Gurin was found very quickly. Moreover, the director came up with this role himself. Alexander Fatyushin served in the theater. Mayakovsky, where he did not get lost against the background of celebrities - Svetlana Nemolyaeva, Alexander Lazarev, Natalya Gundareva. He acted in films with Andrei Smirnov and Eldar Ryazanov. Being on friendly terms with sports, the actor immediately took to the role of Gurin. What episodes with Fatyushin's participation were not included in the film? Why did he become one of the most beloved folk heroes? Was there anything in common in the fates of the actor and his character?

The artists who starred in the film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears” had different fates. Yuri Vasiliev continued to play on the stage of the Maly Theater, was a thrifty, caring father and husband. And he even grew potatoes at the dacha, which he kept in the garage and distributed to friends. In difficult times this was a good help. And then Yuri Solomin invited Vasiliev to direct.

But the 90s came. The country has changed. Fatyushin’s health began to fail, and he never played roles of Gurin’s caliber. At the age of 52, Alexander Konstantinovich Fatyushin died of pneumonia. Four years earlier, shortly before his 60th birthday, Yuri Nikolaevich Vasiliev passed away due to a heart attack. He did not have time to learn that he was awarded the title of People's Artist. His wife outlived him by 20 years...

How did Alexander Fatyushin find his love? Why did his friendship with Vladimir Menshov crack? Was the actor able to find the strength to forgive the director?

Dmitry Tolkachev

Director

In addition to acting, Yuri Vasiliev tries his hand at directing. He staged the musical play “Secretaries” and the play “See you in Venice,” in which Mikhail Derzhavin played the main role.

From September 2009 to April 2010, Yuri Vasiliev was the chief director of the Serpukhov Musical Drama Theater.

On May 19, 2010, the private Yuri Vasiliev Theater opened in Moscow - the theater’s performances “The Toy Seller” based on the book of the same name by Viktor Dobrosotsky and “Veronica Decides to Die” based on the novel by Paulo Coelho were a huge success.

In 2020, the film “Hero” directed by Yuri Vasiliev will be released. In this film, the main role went to the singer Dima Bilan. Interestingly, one of the American companies quickly acquired the rights to demonstrate the film, so immediately after the Russian premiere, “Hero” will also be shown in Western distribution. The central plot of the film is the young princess Vera Chernysheva, played by Svetlana Ivanova. Around her is constantly Lieutenant Andrei Dolmatov, in whom Dima Bilan has reincarnated. According to the director's plan, Vera and Andrei met at the beginning of the 20th century and immediately realized that they were in love with each other. However, the war intervened in their measured relationship. The couple was on the verge of separation, but love reminds itself several generations later.

“It’s almost like a “Walk through the Torment.” The main character is a Russian officer who, despite the fact that defeat is inevitable, still goes on Denikin’s icy campaign. At school we were taught that all whites were scum, scoundrels and bastards. Meeting and communicating with emigrants of different generations, I realized that these people retain love for Russia in their souls, they celebrate Russian holidays, go to church every Sunday. So we sat down to write the script,” says Yuri Vasiliev.

First film

The young actor Yuri Nikolaevich Vasiliev first appeared on the silver screen in his last year at the institute. The black and white film “The Sponge Catcher” (1960) was one of the few films in which he played a leading role. A touching tragic story told how difficult it is for a poor person to break out of the vicious circle of poverty, achieve justice, and be happy. The film ends unhappily: the main character, who has become disabled at the mercy of greedy businessmen, while at great depths, cuts the air supply hose. Despite the fact that the film “The Sponge Catchers” will celebrate its 55th anniversary this year, it still finds its audience.

Personal life

Yuri Vasiliev lived with his first wife for more than 25 years. They even celebrated their silver wedding. At the time of their acquaintance, Galina worked in the Krasnoyarsk Dance Ensemble of Siberia. “When I realized that I couldn’t live without Galya, I changed both her life and mine. She should have married another man. I sent a telegram that she would have a wedding only with me. I bought wedding rings and persuaded her to come to my dormitory at the Satire Theater. He said: “If you don’t like it, I’ll take you to this man myself.” I brought her to the hostel, and that’s how our family life began.” The couple had a son, Alexander, who as a child played with his father in theatrical productions and acted in films. But then I chose a profession related to jurisprudence.

Unfortunately, Yuri's long marriage with Galina turned out to be fragile. Vasiliev divorced and married producer Natalya Dashkevich.

Based on materials from the sites: kino-teatr.ru, kinopoisk.ru, vokrug.tv, glamour.ru, 7 Days, Uznayvse.ru, Sobesednik.ru, Ok-magazine.ru, Evening Moscow

Valerian from kisses

The next significant role for Vasiliev was Yuri Alyabyev in the melodrama “The Journalist”. Gerasimov was very pleased with the intimacy that arose between the actors - they were playing lovers. True, she almost destroyed Yuri Nikolaevich’s marriage. The director of the film, the legendary Sergei Gerasimov, tried many artists, including masters. And for a long time I couldn’t decide. Then he turned to the young employees of the Gorky Film Studio. They unanimously: “Take Vasiliev! He and I would go to the ends of the earth!” Then, during filming, these same ladies told Kornienko that her husband was flirting with Galina Polskikh. Like, the love between their characters spilled over into real life. Nellie Ivanovna didn’t believe the gossip - there was no evidence, but she started scandals at home a couple of times. And at the premiere of the film at the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, she could barely contain her emotions.

In the 80s, VASILIEV traveled a lot around Europe

— When passionate kissing began on the screen, the editing girls from the film crew sitting next to me asked me jokingly: “Nelly, do you need some valerian?” I then answered them: “No, I can cope without her.” Of course, Yura was jealous. He was also jealous of me, since my roles in the theater were different. But he did it quietly, silently, and sometimes I did it very violently,” Kornienko admitted.

Kornienko came to the celebration of the creators of “The Journalist” pregnant. The main award was presented to Gerasimov, and Vasiliev received fame and a suitcase of letters. And imagine Nelly Ivanovna’s feelings: some fans wrote that they wanted to marry Yuri Nikolaevich, others claimed that they were expecting a child from him, and there were also those who asked for help in getting pregnant. Sometimes fans would watch him at the entrance. So the story with the Polskis was quickly forgotten, and Kornienko had new reasons for quarrels.

It is curious that after the premiere of the film “Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears,” the flow of letters stopped.

— For some reason, viewers almost always identify the artist with the hero he plays. And who wants to deal with a weak-willed “mama’s boy”?! - Kornienko explained. — Surprisingly, Yura has never been like this.

Friendly family: Katya, mother Nellie, grandson Kolya with his father and father Yura (1998)
By the way, Rudik/Rodion could have been played by one of Svetlana Svetlichnaya’s husbands - Vladimir Ivashov. He himself refused because he did not want to play a negative role. However, Vladimir Menshov had doubts about Vasiliev’s candidacy until recently. After all, in the first part of the film, Rudik is 25 years old, and Yuri Nikolaevich was nearly 40 at the time of filming. But Vera Alentova insisted on Vasiliev.

Filmography: Actor

• King of Madagascar (2015)
• Molière (The Cabal of the Holy One) (television play) (2013)
• The Beauharnais Effect (TV series) (2012)
• A Dog's Job (TV series) (2012)
• Homo Erectus (teleplay) (2012)
• 20 years without love (2011)
• Zemsky doctor. (TV series) (2012, 2014)
• Notes of the forwarder of the Secret Chancellery (Series) (2010)
• Return of the Musketeers (2009)
• Special correspondent of the investigation department (TV series) (2009)
• And Shepilov, who joined them (TV series) (2009)
• I'm going out to look for you (TV series) (2009)
• Alexander Shirvindt. Happy life of a happy man (documentary) (2009)
• Gogol. Portrait of a Mysterious Genius (short) (2008)
• Boy and Girl (2008)
• Man in the Frame (documentary) (2008)
• The personal life of Doctor Selivanova (TV series) (2007)
• Urgently to the room (TV series) (2007)
• Who is the head in this house? (2006)
• Adam and the Transformation of Eve (2005)
• Money Can't Buy Happiness (2005)
• Fall of the Empire (2005)
• Balzac's age, or all men are their own... (TV series) (2004)
• Baby Goat in Milk (2003)
• Secretaries (teleplay) (2002)
• Times do not choose (2001)
• Andryusha (teleplay) (2001)
• The Temptation of Dirk Bogart (2001)
• Beauty Salon (TV series) (2000)
• Black Room (film almanac) (2000)
• Katerina Ivanovna (television play) (1999)
• Lisa and Eliza (1996)
• Don Quixote and Don Juan (teleplay) (1994)
• Simple-minded (1994)
• Valentina Georgievna, your exit! (documentary) (1994)
• Ballerina (1993)
• Katka and Shiz (1992)
• After the Duel (teleplay) (1990)
• Not to be disclosed (1987)
• Wood Grouse's Nest (teleplay) (1987)
• City Above (1985)
• Tevye the Milkman (teleplay) (1985)
• Housewarming (teleplay) (1985)
• Without a Family (1984)
• Among a thousand roads (1983)
• Teenager (1983)
• 4:0 in favor of Tanechka (1982)
• One Hundred and First (1982)
• Captured by Time (teleplay) (1980)
• Nightingale (1979)
• Month of Long Days (1979)
• Portrait with Rain (1977)
• Such a Short Long Life (1975)