Childhood and youth
Gennady Petrovich Nilov was born in the city of Luga, Leningrad Region, on October 1, 1936. The future actor’s mother worked as a cook, his father as a simple employee. When the Great Patriotic War began, the Nilovs were evacuated to the Kirov region, then to the Novosibirsk region. Due to moving, little Gena started school three times, but graduated from first grade only at the age of 9 in Kyiv.
Gennady Nilov (left) with the family of Pavel Kadochnikov
Gennady's mother's sister was married to Soviet actor Pavel Kadochnikov. After the Victory, the Nilov family lived briefly with an eminent relative. It was then that the boy began to be interested in the acting profession. At school, he organized a drama club, where he was a stage director, a make-up artist, and a costume designer.
During these same years, Gennady was seriously interested in sports, trained at the Viktor Alekseev sports school, and had nine categories in different sports. Nilov Sr.’s third hobby was traveling - after receiving his certificate, he applied to the Leningrad Hydrometeorological Institute for the Faculty of Land Hydrometeorology. Having failed the entrance exam in physics, Gennady was upset and went to live with relatives in Novgorod.
Gennady Nilov in his youth
It is unknown how Nilov’s biography would have developed further if not for his aunt, the wife of Pavel Kadochnikov. The woman called Gennady back to Leningrad and persuaded him to enter the theater school. Two weeks of persistent joint preparations yielded results: on the first try, Nilov was enrolled in the acting department of the Leningrad Theater Institute. Ostrovsky, on a course with Leonid Makariev.
Nilov Gennady Petrovich
Born on October 1, 1936 in the city of Luga, Leningrad Region.
The father was a simple employee, and the mother was a cook. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the Nilov family was evacuated first to the Kirov region, and then transported to Novosibirsk. Due to constant moving, young Gena started studying in the first grade three times and graduated only at the age of 9 in Kyiv, where he was also accepted as a pioneer.
Gennady’s mother was the sister of Pavel Kadochnikov’s wife, so after the war the Nilov family lived for some time in the family of the famous actor. It was at this time that young Gena showed interest in the acting profession. While studying at school, he was the head of a drama club, where he staged performances and selected costumes and makeup for the performers. At the same time, Nilov was fond of sports, studying at the Alekseev sports school, after which he received 9 categories in various sports.
From a young age, Gennady loved to travel, so after graduating from school he went to enter the Leningrad Hydrometeorological Institute at the Faculty of Land Hydrometeorology, but failed in physics at the entrance exam and, upset, went to live in Novgorod with his aunt. From there he was called by Pavel Kadochnikov’s wife and persuaded him to enter the theater school. She studied with him for two weeks, as a result of which Gennady entered the acting department of the Ostrovsky Leningrad Theater Institute on the first try for a course with Leonid Makariev.
Graduated from the Leningrad State Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography (1959).
For the first time, Gennady Nilov appeared in films as a child. He starred as an extra in the film “The Exploit of a Scout,” where his uncle Pavel Kadochnikov played the leading role. Then, while studying in his fourth year at the institute, Nilov starred in episodes of the films “Life is in Your Hands,” “The Overcoat” and “Virgin Soil Upturned.”
In 1959, Gennady Nilov graduated from the institute and was accepted into the staff of the Lenfilm film studio. Literally immediately he was invited to the main role in the film “Man with a Future,” where he played the young inventor Ivan Kondakov. Subsequently, Nilov's heroes were mainly strong and courageous characters, whom he performed with great energy. Among the best works: Dr. Valery Kushlya (“Trace in the Ocean”), Miron Klimkovich (“First Russians”), Klimenko (“Seller of Air”), Kurilka (“Snow Maiden”), Voloshin (“Triple Check”), Georges Cheino (“ Captain Nemo”), Kravchenko (“This Doesn’t Concern Me”), Shustov (“I Will Never Forget You”), Petukhov (“White Curse”).
The most famous and beloved role of Gennady Nilov remains Sundukov in the comedy “Three Plus Two,” one of the actor’s few characteristic roles.
Gennady Nilov got married for the first time while studying in his fourth year. His wife was actress Svetlana Zhgun, who studied at the same institute. But their marriage was short-lived; they lived together for only a year and a half. The actor met his second wife Galina in 1961 while filming the popular science film “There Lies Danger,” in which she played the main role. Galina is a chemical engineer; for a long time she worked as the custodian of the Leningrad House of Scientists. The couple had two sons - Alexey and Anton. Alexey Nilov is now a famous theater and film actor, and Anton works in a car tire manufacturing company.
In 1993, Gennady Nilov, having worked at Lenfilm for 34 years, was laid off from the film studio staff. At the same time, Gennady Petrovich decided that he would never return to the acting profession and is still true to this word. From St. Petersburg he moved to live in the city of Priozersk, where he has his own house. There he enjoys nature, as he lives a 15-minute walk from the forest and Lake Ladoga. Nilov is an avid fisherman and the close proximity to the lake allows him to fully satisfy this passion.
film roles 1994 The Emperor's Romance :: Mister Letier 1993 White Horse :: Minister 1991 Anna Karamazoff | Anna Karamazoff :: KGB major 1990 Lawyer :: Fyodor Ivanovich 1989 Stepan Sergeich :: research institute employee 1988 Operation Wunderland :: Sergei 1987 Defeat :: Poltavsky 1987 White curse :: Petukhov 1986 At the pass :: Pakhomov 1986 Bridge through life :: Proskuryakov 1983 I will never forget you :: Shustov 1983 Battalion commanders :: Zarapin 1980 Every third :: Antonov 1977 Who is for? Who is against it? 1976 This does not concern me :: Nikolai Sergeevich Kravchenko 1976 Thought about Kovpak :: Bazyma 1975 Captain Nemo :: Georges Cheino 1975 Star of captivating happiness :: who delivered the dispatch to Trubetskoy 1974 Following my course :: sailor 1974 Police sergeant :: doctor 1974 The light at the end tunnel | Gaisma tuneļa galā :: Colonel Sinitsyn 1974 Let him stay with us :: dad 1972 In the black sands :: commissar 1971 Sea of our hope :: Yurchenko 1971 Long farewell :: spectator 1970 Angle of incidence :: episode 1970 Salute, Maria! :: Andrzej 1970 Mission to Kabul :: Ivan Kolokoltsev 1969 Triple check | Trīskārtējā pārbaude :: Voloshin 1969 Castling on the long side :: agent 1969 Five from the sky :: pilot 1968 Morning of a long day | Ilgās dienas rīts :: Snegin 1968 Snow Maiden :: Smoking Room 1967 Air Seller :: Victor Klimenko 1967 First Russians :: Miron Klinkovich 1965 Third Youth | Nuit des adieux, La (USSR, France) :: Ivanov 1965 First visitor :: Bubnov 1965 Musicians of one regiment :: Peter 1964 Trace in the ocean :: Valery Andreevich Kushlya 1964 Remember, Kaspar! :: soldier with a broken collarbone 1963 Three plus two :: Stepan Ivanovich Sundukov :: main role 1962 First ball (short film) :: Volodya 1961 The very first :: Nikolai Andreevich 1960 Man with a future :: Ivan Nikolaevich Kondakov :: main role 1959, 1960, 1961 Virgin Soil Upturned :: episode 1959 Overcoat :: episode 1959 Son of Iriston :: episode 1959 Life is in your hands :: soldier 1947 Feat of a scout :: episode
dubbing 1979 Hotel “At the Dead Climber” | Dead mountaineer hotel, The | “Hukkunud Alpinisti” hotell :: Olaf role of Tiit Härm 1969 Let there be life! | Ave, vita! :: Einas role of A. Shurna
vocals 1963 Three plus two
Movies
Gennady played his first role at the age of 10, participating in the crowd of the Soviet fiction military drama “The Feat of a Scout.” The main character was played by Pavel Kadochnikov, his uncle. Nilov played the following episodic roles in his 4th year at the institute, in the films “Life is in Your Hands” and “Virgin Soil Upturned.”
Gennady Nilov in the film “Trace in the Ocean”
In 1959, after graduating from the acting department, Gennady joined the staff of the Lenfilm film studio. He was immediately approved for the main role: in 1960, Nikolai Rozantsev’s film “A Man with a Future” was released, in which Nilov played the inventor Ivan Kondakov.
After this role, Nilov was offered to play intelligent, strong and courageous characters, whom the actor filled with great energy. Gennady's role as Chest in the popular Soviet comedy "Three Plus Two" by Genrikh Oganyan brought him all-Union love. Gennady’s filming partners were Andrei Mironov, Evgeny Zharikov, Natalya Fateeva and Natalya Kustinskaya.
Gennady Nilov in the film “Three Plus Two”
The film contributed to the massive flowering of recreation by “savages.” After the release of the film, about 3.5 million Soviet citizens went to the sea with tents. The film is still loved by viewers of all generations and is often broadcast on television during the holidays.
In 1975, another film was released, which became incredibly popular in the USSR - “Captain Nemo”. The three-part adventure film was based on the novels “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “The Steam House” by Jules Verne. Nilov played the role of Georges Cheino.
Gennady Nilov in the film "Captain Nemo"
In total, during his creative career, Gennady Nilov starred in more than 40 films. In 1993, the actor was fired from Lenfilm due to staff reduction. Since then, Gennady has not acted in feature films.
In 2014, the documentary film “Three Plus Two” was released on television. A version of a holiday romance." The film tells how the legendary film was filmed, what impromptu ideas were born on the set where the filming took place. Gennady Nilov starred there, and his son Alexey and granddaughter Elizaveta also appeared in the film.
NILOV Gennady PetrovichBorn 01.10.1936, Leningrad
Stingy facts
Gennady Nilov was born on October 1, 1936, in Leningrad. At school, Gena Nilov loved sports in all its forms: he was great at throwing a javelin, pole vaulting, running long distances, swimming, fencing, and playing volleyball well. It’s hard to imagine, but this guy with “long muscles,” as the physical trainers said about him, had nine categories in different sports! I could even dive to 11 meters without scuba gear!
And Gennady Nilov has been steeped in theatrical juice since childhood. His maternal uncle, the famous actor Pavel Kadochnikov, lived for a time in the same apartment with the Nilovs after the war. When Pavel Petrovich starred in the film “The Exploit of a Scout,” the boy also participated in the crowd. Yes, I gradually got involved.
Then successful admission to the theater institute, where they soon began to say about Nilov: “The only purely Russian face on the course!” “Character actor of a lyric-comedy plan,” and this is the summary given to the actor in his diploma.
Movie
Gennady Nilov graduated from the Leningrad State Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography. The film biography began with the immediate performance of the main role of Ivan Kandakov in Nikolai Rozantsev’s optimistic production drama “A Man with a Future.” The actor managed to show the integrity and sincerity of the character of his eccentric young hero - an inventor, whom everyone treated with humor.
And then there was one of the best roles of Gennady Nilov in cinema - the “gloomy personality” of physicist Sundukov in the lyrical comedy by Henrikh Oganisyan “Three plus two” based on the play “Savages” by Sergei Mikhalkov. Everyone, except Nilov, who starred in this film were already famous actors: Natalya Kustinskaya, Natalya Fateeva, Andrei Mironov, Evgeniy Zharikov. They were first in the credits. “This cold Leningrad character,” director Oganisyan sometimes showered Nilov with these words, but when the picture came out, everyone unanimously said that the image of Nilov’s physicist Sundukov hit the mark.
Bypassed by female attention, Sundukov, true to his physics, seemed to predict the quiet acting fate of Gennady Nilov himself. After “Three Plus Two,” there are only a few well-known roles in the actor’s filmography: Viktor Klimenko in the fantasy “Air Seller” (1967) based on the story of the same name by Alexander Belyaev, a smoking room in the fairy tale “The Snow Maiden” (1968) and a doctor in the television series “Police Sergeant” ( 1974) based on the story by Igor Lazutkin.
More often, the actor was content with supporting roles, as in the films “Captain Nemo” (Sheino) and “Star of Captivating Happiness” (Trubetskoy). But on the set, Gennady Nilov’s partners were venerable actors: Alexey Batalov and Natalya Bondarchuk, Oleg Strizhenov and Igor Kostolevsky, Innokenty Smoktunovsky and Vladislav Strzhelchik, Oleg Yankovsky and Tatyana Fedorova.
In the early 90s, Gennady Nilov was laid off at Lenfilm, having, however, managed to play several episodic roles before that, the most notable of which was the school director Vasil Vasilyevich in the war film novel “I will never forget you” by Pavel Kadochnikov.
Personal life
Once on the labor exchange, Nilov received unemployment benefits for a whole year - 22 rubles 50 kopecks... Since then, the actor swore off acting in films, broke with cinema forever. The son of Gennady Nilov, actor Alexei Nilov, offered to act together in the TV series “Streets of Broken Lanterns,” but Gennady Petrovich flatly refused: “My movie ended a long time ago.”
However, Gennady Nilov does not look like an unhappy person at all. He lives quietly in Priozersk near St. Petersburg and enthusiastically talks about his ordinary non-cinema life, like his Sundukov about physics: “I look so good because I’m always fishing, picking mushrooms! I also have a small garden, there are two greenhouses - tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley... So I grow them and water them.” What is true is true! You can't tell by looking that the actor is already over 70! The figure and posture are like that of a professional athlete!
Katya TOUR
Materials used: Encyclopedia of Cinema of Cyril and Methodius, version 2002; “Gennady Nilov”, article, website https://kino-teatr.ru; “The wives and mistresses of Alexei Nilov”, “Express newspaper”, 06/04/2004; Tamara Astapenko, “The cops came upon us,” Petersburg Express, February 2002; Natalya Barsova, “Nilov doesn’t drink anymore. Even on my father’s anniversary!”, “Russian regional weekly MK in St. Petersburg”, October 2006
Personal life
Gennady was married twice: the first time he went to the registry office while still a student. In my 4th year I signed with actress Svetlana Zhgun. The marriage lasted about a year and a half, after which the couple separated.
Gennady Nilov and Svetlana Zhgun
Gennady met his second wife Galina in 1961 on the set of the popular science film “There is Danger Here,” where the girl played the main role. She is a chemical engineer by training, but from a young age she was interested in theater arts. On February 14, 1962, the young couple got married - in 2020 they celebrated their 56th anniversary of marriage.
Galina and Gennady have two children: the eldest Alexey is an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, theater and film actor, the younger Anton works as a manager in a tire manufacturing company. In an interview, Alexey admits that his father did not support his son’s desire to become an actor, since he knew the disadvantages firsthand.
Actor Gennady Nilov
Nilov Jr. was even preparing to enter the Institute of Light Industry, but had doubts. Galina, seeing her son’s struggles, advised him to try his hand at the entrance exams of the Leningrad State Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography. Like his father, he got it right the first time.
Little is known about Anton Nilov: Alexey says that they have an agreement not to disclose their personal life to journalists. The only thing he admits is that his brother, like his mother, is not happy with his current film career. In an interview with Express Gazeta, Alexey jokes that his favorite family lament:
“Instead of Leshenka’s son and brother they got cop Larin.”
They mean one of the most famous roles of Nilov Jr. – policeman Andrei Larin in the TV series “Streets of Broken Lanterns.”
Gennady Nilov with his son Alexey Nilov
In an interview with Starhit magazine in 2014, Gennady Nilov said that he lives for his sons and five grandchildren. The eldest son has three children: daughter Elizaveta is an actress at the Academic Drama Theater named after V.F. Komissarzhevskaya in St. Petersburg, sons Dmitry and Nikita are a musician and a high school student, respectively. Obviously, two more grandchildren are the children of Anton’s youngest son.
Early years
The future actor was born in the city of Luga, Leningrad region. His father was an ordinary employee, and his mother worked as a cook. At the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the family was evacuated to the Kirov region, and later they moved to Novosibirsk. The Nilovs constantly moved, this prevented Gene from studying. He entered first grade three times, but was only able to graduate at the age of nine. This happened in Kyiv, where the boy was accepted into the pioneers.
The famous actor Pavel Kadochnikov was Gena's uncle. The Nilov family even lived at his house for several months. During the filming of the film “The Exploit of a Scout,” Pavel took his nephew with him to participate in the crowd. This also influenced the choice of future profession.
From a young age, Gennady was interested in art; he had a special craving for artistic activity. While studying at school, he managed to become the head of the drama club. There the student was responsible for selecting costumes and makeup, and staged numerous performances.
But it wasn’t only acting that fascinated Nilov. During his school years, he was seriously involved in sports and studied at Alekseev’s school. The young man successfully graduated from this educational institution, receiving 9 categories in various sports. He threw a javelin, practiced swimming and fencing, and even pole vaulted. The teachers said that this student was able to dive 11 meters without scuba gear.
After graduation, Nilov entered the State Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography, which was located in Leningrad. Initially, he was going to become a student at the Hydrometeorological Institute, because he loved traveling. But he failed to enroll due to low scores in physics, as a result of which the young man went to Novgorod to live with his aunt.
A few days later, another aunt, the wife of Pavel Kadochnikov, contacted him; it was she who persuaded Gena to apply to the theater institute. They studied together for two weeks, after which the nephew was able to become a student the first time. He attended Leonid Makariev's course. In 1959 he received a diploma of higher education. After this, the young man was accepted into the staff of the Lenfilm film studio. There he worked for the next 34 years.
Gennady Nilov now
After his dismissal from Lenfilm, Gennady ended his acting career. He moved from St. Petersburg to the region, to the city of Priozersk.
Gennady Nilov now
There, my wife and I bought a house not far from Lake Ladoga. A quiet life suits the Nilov family: Gennady fishes, and in the summer he and Galina collect and process mushrooms.
Filmography
- 1947 — “The Feat of a Scout”
- 1960 — “Man with a Future”
- 1961 — “The Very First”
- 1963 — “Three plus two”
- 1964 — “Trace in the Ocean”
- 1965 - “Musicians of the same regiment”
- 1966 — “Air Seller”
- 1971 — “Farewell to St. Petersburg”
- 1974 - “Let him stay with us”
- 1975 — “Captain Nemo”
- 1980 — “Every Third”
- 1987 - “White Curse”
- 1988 — “Operation Wunderland”
- 1991 — “Anna Karamazoff”
- 1993 — “White Horse”
Alexey Nilov: family
The star of “Streets of Broken Lanterns” was born in Leningrad, this happened in January 1964. From the biography of Alexei Nilov it follows that he was born into a creative family. The famous artist Gennady Nilov is his father. This man was remembered by the audience, having played one of the key roles in the comedy “Three Plus Two”. In this picture he embodied the image of physicist Stepan Sundukov, nicknamed “Chest”.
Alexey's mother Galina is a chemical engineer by profession. Even though her work was not related to dramatic art, she was crazy about it. Galina did not miss a single premiere and often took her son with her.
