Origin of the surname
Actor Lev Durov comes from the famous Russian circus dynasty of clowns and trainers. Outstanding Russian and Soviet circus artists Anatoly and Vladimir Durov are his great-uncles. True, Leo’s parents were not at all connected with the creative environment. Father, Konstantin Vladimirovich, was engaged in blasting work in the All-Union Trust, mother, Valentina Ignatievna, worked as a researcher in the state military-historical archive of the Lefortovo Palace.
The Heraldic Directory of the Russian Empire indicates that many of the Durov family performed noble service to the Russian throne, and they were granted estates in 1629. A significant part of the Book of Armorial is a description of the genealogy of the hereditary nobles to whom Lev Durov's family belonged. And the famous heroine of the Patriotic War of 1812, Nadezhda Durova, who was glorified by the film “The Hussar Ballad,” is one of his distant relatives. In addition, the Durovs are relatives of the Sadovskys, another famous Russian artistic dynasty.
Great-nephew of circus performers
Lev Durov (the biography of this interesting, colorful actor deserves attention) was born in 1931, on December 23, in Moscow. He comes from a dynasty of talented circus performers - the Durov brothers. His parents had nothing to do with the circus. My father worked as a bomber, and my mother worked as a researcher at the Lefortovo Palace.
The General Arms of the All-Russian Empire states that many who bore the surname of the Durovs served the Russian throne. The sixth part of the armorial is occupied by the genealogy of hereditary nobles. The Durovs also have family ties with the famous Sadovsky dynasty: Anna Durova, the daughter of circus performer Vladimir, was married to the Maly Theater artist Prov Mikhailovich and bore the last name Durova-Sadovskaya.
Young Moscow years
The biography of Lev Durov began in the capital; he is a native Muscovite. The future popular actor was born on December 23, 1931 in one of the oldest districts of Moscow - Lefortovo. He grew up in a large family, where in addition to him there were two daughters. A large family lived on the territory of the museum in a stable from Catherine’s times, converted into a communal apartment. Lev Konstantinovich himself recalled with a smile that the rooms were strange, long and narrow, like a pencil case; they had probably been stalls in a past life. There were almost no amenities, there was one toilet for forty apartments, this became a vivid memory of his childhood.
In this typical Moscow courtyard he spent his entire childhood, where Lev was a hooligan - he constantly fought and did not study well. He was expelled from school several times, his parents were very worried, but his father never punished the boy for this. As Durov himself recalled, his father could not talk to him for several days. But for him it was the most terrible punishment, because he respected him very much.
First theatrical experiences
The school principal, when he once again called his mother to school, said that her son was not the worst student in the class or school, but the worst student in the entire Universe. But when the war soon began, little Leva, along with his friends, was on duty on the roof of the house and helped extinguish German incendiary bombs. He also participated in amateur performances, entertaining recovering soldiers. The boy sang, recited and danced, dashingly tap-dancing, and staged impromptu mime scenes to lift the spirits of the wounded.
He studied with great pleasure in the drama studio of the Palace of Pioneers in the Baumansky district of Moscow, where he ended up completely by accident. A playmate called him. Although at first the little hooligan thought that everyone there spoke like bespectacled people, he liked studying under the guidance of a good teacher S.V. Serpinsky.
As a child, friends called Durov Gray, due to the fact that in the summer heat his hair faded, becoming almost white. He also had other honorary nicknames, for example, Schweik (Lev constantly got into various stories) and, naturally, Artist (for his love of acting and natural artistry).
A dream come true
In the difficult post-war years, he decided to enter the Moscow Art Theater studio, where hundreds of talented young people from all over the country wanted to make their dream come true. The competition was 22 people per place. So that Lev could look more or less decent during the exam, his mother and aunts altered his father’s old suit.
To the surprise of many, he passed the creative competition, presenting at the final exam his interpretation of Chekhov’s story “Thick and Thin” - the first work that the guy learned for the drama club. Sierpinski, the head of the commission, personally told Durov that he believed in his artistic abilities.
Profession training
His dream came true; he always wanted to study at this prestigious educational institution. In Blinnikov’s course, the Moscow Art Theater School, Lev Durov became one of the best students and the leader’s favorite. When the director was asked who would play the main role in the next educational performance, he invariably said: Leva, who else can handle it?
In his last year at the institute, when he played the Trumpeter in the production of “Yegor Bulychev,” the director of the Central Children’s Theater, Konstantin Shakh-Azizov, approached him after the performance. He really liked the play of actor Lev Durov, and he invited him to the troupe of his theater.
Theater
Soon Lev Durov became the best student of the course and the favorite student of teacher Blinnikov. Even in his youth, no one questioned his talent. After graduating in 1954, the aspiring artist joined the troupe of the Central Children's Theater (CDT). He was extremely lucky, because here he had a fateful meeting with director Anatoly Efros, with whom Durov was to work for almost thirty years.
The young artist stayed at the CDT for ten years. These were the brightest years when the great creative biography of Lev Durov began. A variety of roles were played here: from a cucumber in a children's play for kids to Fyodor in the production of Boris Godunov.
Lev Konstantinovich especially remembered one of the plays of the famous Rozov, “In Good Hour.” Viktor Sergeevich brought it to Efros in 1955. Durov has since played in all performances based on the playwright's works.
When Anatoly Efros moved from the Central Children's Theater to the Lenin Komsomol Theater, several artists left with him. Durov followed the director, who over ten years of collaboration became an idol for him. Lev Konstantinovich played in the theater from 1963 to 1967. At the same time, Efros invariably involved him in all performances. And during the next transition to the theater on Malaya Bronnaya, he again took Durov with him. Lev Konstantinovich finally stopped at this theater and served until his death.
During his long theatrical career under the direction of Anatoly Vasilyevich Efros, Lev Durov played many of his best roles. He was Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Sganarelle in Don Juan, Zhevakin in Marriage. Each of these works was a discovery for the young artist. Theatergoers in Edinburgh, Scotland, were lucky to see Lev Durov’s magnificent performance in Gogol’s “The Marriage.” The author of the review in the local press strongly recommended that his fellow countrymen attend the Russian performance, if only to see the brilliant performance of the “tragic clown Lev Durov.”
Russian theatergoers believe that they are immeasurably more fortunate than foreign ones, because they were lucky enough to see Lev Konstantinovich play in the plays “Whose Are You, Old Man?”, “Tribunal” and many others. Lev Durov considers his most successful theatrical work to be the role of Snegirev in the play “Brother Alyosha” based on Rozov’s script.
Theater works
In September 1954, Lev came to his first gathering of the theater troupe, where he met the famous director A.V. Efros, with whom he worked for about 27 years. The creative biography of Lev Durov began at the CDT; over the next ten years, the actor played dozens of different roles. He was a cucumber, a cloud, a burdock in a children's play and Fyodor in the production of Boris Godunov.
In 1955, V. S. Rozov wrote his comedy “In Good Hour” and brought it to Efros for review. The play was staged, Durov received one of the roles, and later he was involved in all the other plays of the famous playwright, including “In Search of Joy” and “Before Dinner,” which he invariably brought to the children's theater.
Later, when the famous director moved to the Lenin Komsomol Theater, he invited actor Lev Durov with him. Having worked there from 1963 to 1967, Lev again moved with the director to the theater on Malaya Bronnaya. He created many unforgettable images, including Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Iago in Othello by W. Shakespeare and Chebutykin in Three Sisters by A.P. Chekhov. And for creating the image of Stepan from Gogol’s “Marriage,” one English newspaper called him a “tragic clown,” which he was very proud of.
Theatrical career of Lev Durov
While studying at school, Lev Durov was fond of classes in the drama studio located in the Palace of Pioneers.
The studio was headed by S.V. Sierpinski. When the famous Sergei Blinnikov and Georgiy Gerasimov began taking courses at the Moscow Art Theater, Durov enrolled in this course. During his studies, he became Blinnikov's favorite. He always dreamed of studying at the Moscow Art Theater School, and now his dream has come true. Durov was one of the best students of the course. After finishing his studies at the Moscow Art Theater in 1954, Durov came to work at the Central Children's Theater. Anatoly Vasilyevich Efros worked there as a director. They would then work together for more than twenty-seven years. Durov himself worked at the CDT for almost ten years.
During the transition A.V. Efros, several actors went with him to the Lenin Komsomol Theater, among them Lev Durov. Durov played at the Lenin Komsomol Theater for four years.
In 1967, Durov, following Efros, went to the theater on Malaya Bronnaya. He still works there now.
The outstanding Soviet director Anatoly Vasilyevich Efros involved Lev Durov in all performances. Their work was inextricably linked. Lev Konstantinovich Durov created impressive images in Efros's performances. These were Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, Sganarelle in Don Juan, Zhevakin in Marriage. Durov also played successful roles in the plays “Whose Old Man Are You?”, “Tribunal” and others. When Gogol's famous "Marriage" was presented at a festival in the Scottish city of Edinburgh, a review appeared in the local newspaper. The author noted that it is worth going to the play “Marriage” only for the reason that the “tragic clown Lev Durov” plays in it. The actor is still proud of this title.
Lev Durov works in several theaters at once
Currently, Lev Durov works at the theater on Malaya Bronnaya and at the same time plays in plays at the “School of Modern Play”, which is directed by director Joseph Raikhelgauz.
Directing works
After graduating from directing courses in 1978, Lev Durov staged many performances that were a huge success with audiences. The most famous of them were “Cruel Intentions” by Arbuzov, “Indictment” by Nodar Dumbadze, “Cinderella” by Schwartz, “Curtains” by Mikhail Varfolomeev.
One of the latest successful directorial works was the production of “Road to New York” based on L. Malyugin. There is a lot of dancing and music in this fun and interesting story about the adventures of the daughter of an American millionaire. A little later, another director’s premiere took place based on the play by another contemporary author N. Voronov, “The Passion According to Torchalov.”
Lev Durov - Director
After studying at the Higher Directing Courses, Durov began working as a stage director.
The repertoire of the theater on Malaya Bronnaya included several of his successful performances. Among them: “Cruel Intentions” by Arbuzov, “Cinderella” by Evgeniy Shvarts, “Indictment” by Dumbadze, “Curtains” by Varfolomeev, “Still She Spins” by Khmelik, “Xanthippe and this one, what’s his name...” Aleshina. Durov, as a stage director, also staged the following plays: “The Jews of the City of St. Petersburg” by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, “Merry Men” by Simon, “After the Benefit Performance” based on the works of Chekhov, “Oginsky’s Polonaise” by Kolyada, “The Forest” by Ostrovsky. One of his last directorial works was the holiday genre play “Road to New York” by Malyugin. This is a story full of music and dance that tells what happened to the daughter of an American millionaire. Recently the premiere of the modern play “Passion according to Torchalov” by Voronov took place.
Whole life in cinema
In total, the actor played over 160 roles in films, in almost each of them he created original and extraordinary images. All of them reflected his human originality, great temperament and unique outlook on life. Lev Durov’s debut work was the film “Good Morning,” where the young actor played an excavator operator’s assistant. Then there were many more roles, as Durov called them, in “semi-fictional” films, until the actor got to M.I. Romm in the film “Nine Days of One Year.”
He then played in many iconic Soviet films, including the famous television series “All the King’s Men” (1971), “Seventeen Moments of Spring” (1973) and the full-length popular films “Kalina Krasnaya” (1974), “Ksenia, Fyodor’s Beloved Wife” ( 1974), “The Last Day of Winter” (1975), “Strange Adults” (1974), “The Three Musketeers.” He became the favorite actor of millions of Soviet viewers, remaining a cheerful person who managed to retain his childish mischief.
The latest works of the outstanding actor Lev Durov are the films “Other People” and “Scoundrel,” released in 2020, the year of his death. Numerous titles and awards Lev Durov received for his acting skills and talent became an assessment of his outstanding creative activity. In 1990 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR.
Movies
Lev Durov became famous to millions of Soviet viewers thanks to films. His film debut happened back in 1954. Over half a century, the actor played over 160 roles. And the first was the film “Good Morning,” where a very young artist portrayed an excavator operator’s assistant.
Lev Durov in the film "Good Morning"
Lev Durov played his first notable role in Romm’s film “Nine Days of One Year.” She begins an endless series of wonderful works in the now well-known and beloved films, including “All the King’s Men”, “Seventeen Moments of Spring”, “Xenia, Fyodor’s Beloved Wife” and “Red Kalina”.
Durov's participation in the film "D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers", where Lev Konstantinovich played the attractive captain of the royal musketeers de Treville, the role of lucky Charlie in the film "Armed and Very Dangerous", the sad role in the film "Farewell to Matera" made the artist a star of Soviet cinema .
Lev Durov in the film "D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers"
It is noteworthy that the great actor never refused works that seemed inappropriate for his high rank. For example, he voiced the dog Sharik in one of the most beloved cartoons, “Vacations in Prostokvashino.”
In 1986, the actor played in a foreign film, in the Canadian film “Russia”, where he appeared in the role of Tolstoy.
In 1991, Lev Durov deservedly received the title of People's Artist of the USSR.
Lev Durov in the film “Orphan of Kazan”
More modern films also added to the actor’s popularity. In the New Year’s film “The Orphan of Kazan,” Lev Konstantinovich very touchingly and convincingly portrayed one of the three “fathers” - retired pilot Kaveshnikov (the other two “fathers” were played by Oleg Tabakov and Valentin Gaft). Lev Durov also played amazingly in the film “The Garden Was Full of the Moon” - this is a touching picture about the last years of the life of a married couple.
In subsequent years, the actor starred in such films as “Don’t Play the Fool” with Mikhail Evdokimov in the title role, “Should we send a messenger?”, “We must live again,” “Operational pseudonym,” “The Last Battle of Major Pugachev,” “ Guardian angel".
Lev Durov in the film "Egorushka"
Lev Durov continued acting almost until his death. The actor’s last films were released in 2020: the short film “Other People” and the full-length film “Scoundrel.”
Memories and reflections
In the first chapters of his book “Sinful Notes,” Lev Durov repeatedly warns that he is not a writer, but an actor. The book is a kind of memoir, consisting of funny and interesting stories from the life of the author and many of his friends, written in a lively and original language. This unique biography of Lev Durov was published in 1999. In 2008, two more equally funny books were published - “Tales from the Backstage” and “Tales for an Encore”.
Before this work, Durov already had some literary experience, having written several funny stories, of which he himself was a hero or a witness. The stories were published in Russian-language publications in the USA and the Baltic states. One day they got to the famous writer Viktor Astafiev, and he called the actor and, laughing, said: “Don’t write anymore, there are enough graphomaniacs without you.” To which their mutual friend replied: “Write, he’s just jealous.”
The most interesting
Actors and actresses who left in 2020 (10/21/2017)
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Among other works for the big screen, it is worth highlighting the following: Dulcinea Toboso, The Green Van, Sleep in Hand, or Suitcase, Unit with Deception.
But then global changes occurred in the country, due to which domestic cinema experienced its deepest crisis. In the nineties, directors were sorely lacking in funding, and the very quality of the films left much to be desired. So there was a long stagnation in the biographies of many actors.
Over all the decades, Ekaterina Durova starred in only one truly successful film called “Church”. And by the end of the decade, the famous actress was forced to switch to TV series, which were gaining increasing popularity in Russia.
Personal life of Lev Durov
The actor met his future wife when he was in his third year at the institute. Irina Kirichenko transferred to the Moscow Art Theater School from the Kyiv Theater Institute. Many wondered why she got involved with this short man. He walked to her on a date halfway across town and stole flowers from public flower beds.
They lived together for 57 years, without loud scandals, quarrels or betrayals. Although Irina was not at all adapted to everyday life, she did not know how to wash or clean the apartment, and certainly did not cook. Lev Konstantinovich took upon himself all the household chores. The wife only took care of herself and read literature, but she always looked impeccable. Lev Durov was very proud of his wife and was terribly jealous. Irina Kirichenko died in 2011, after being bedridden for five years. She broke her hip, and the doctors could not help. All these years, the husband cared for the patient with the patience of a professional nurse. The death of his wife was a terrible blow for Durov, and for the first time he began to have health problems.
Durov's daughter Ekaterina died
In 2011, her mother, actress Irina Kirichenko, died, and in 2015, Grandfather, as everyone called Durov, even the grandmothers who sat at the entrance to his house, also passed away. The parents said that they chose their daughter’s name in honor of the Minister of Culture Ekaterina Furtseva. Katya Durova spent the first year of her life in the Lefortovo Palace, albeit in a communal apartment. Her father grew up in this crime-ridden area. And my mother, the beautiful Irina Kirichenko, came to Moscow from Kyiv to study. Among the paternal ancestors were the gentlewoman Nadezhda Durova and acrobats from the Durov circus dynasty.
Ekaterina was a theater child, she grew up behind the scenes, went on tour with her parents, and her father took her to the set. But this did not become a safe conduct for her when entering theater universities. But she entered GITIS and, while still a student, starred in probably her most important role in “Faryatyev’s Fantasies” by the unique Lenfilm director Ilya Averbakh, where her partners were Andrei Mironov, Zinaida Sharko, Marina Neyolova. When the work came to an end, the dubbing was going on, Ekaterina was preparing to become a mother. The father of her daughter was the handsome actor and classmate Sergei Nasibov, who later left for the USA. And once he became incredibly famous thanks to the film “School Waltz” by Pavel Lyubimov, released in 1977. And the audience thought that they were a couple with Elena Tsyplakova, who played the main role. But everything was not like that: Nasibov had an affair with Ekaterina Durova, who played the role of a nurse in a maternity hospital in “School Waltz.”
After GITIS, Ekaterina Durova entered the Taganka Theater, where she worked for almost four years, playing Lisa Brichkina in the legendary play “The Dawns Here Are Quiet.” In 1984 she moved to the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya, where her father worked. There she met her second husband, actor Vladimir Ershov, with whom she lived for many years and raised her son Ivan. The witness at their wedding was her husband’s classmate, Sergei Garmash.
The actress continued to act, but not as intensely as it could have been. Although there were meetings with Vitaly Melnikov in “Unicum”, Druzhinina played the role of Sancho Panza’s daughter in “Dulcinea of Toboso”, after which the role of a nurse in “St. George’s Day” by Kirill Serebrennikov, and in recent years - mainly TV series. At the theater she was engaged in three performances: in “Slavic Follies” (dir. Roman Samgin) and in two productions by Yegor Arsenov - “Little Tragedies”, where she had several roles at once (Baron, Salieri, Priest), and in the one-woman show “ The true story of Freken Bock." For the latter - a piercing monologue that lasts a lifetime - Ekaterina Durova received the prestigious Moskovsky Komsomolets theater award two years ago.
In recent years, she did not have many roles in the theater, and Durova pinned her hopes on Konstantin Bogomolov, who headed the theater, although not everyone shared her enthusiasm. There were plans to work with him in cinema, on the project “A Good Man”. This is what the director said in memory of the actress: “Filming was planned at the end of December. Katya happily responded to several proposals from our young directors. I was shocked by her latest work in “Little Tragedies” on the Malaya Bronnaya Stage. A subtle, deep, kind and brave person. Absolutely devoted to the theater, without self-pity, fanatical in her work, in love with talent. She was and will be in my heart. Forever. Deep condolences to the family and friends."
Favorite daughter
In a happy marriage, Lev Durov had a daughter, Ekaterina, who, after graduating from school, decided to follow in the footsteps of her parents. The famous actor himself recalled that he doubted it, since his daughter was plump, and he was not sure that she would be able to withstand the competitive tests.
Lev Konstantinovich warned that he would not help either her admission or her future career. Then the admissions committee called my father and said that Katya had read her passage very insightfully. She was accepted into GITIS. Now she works at the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya, in 2005 she became an Honored Artist of Russia.
Biography
Ekaterina Durova was born on July 25, 1959 in Moscow. Her parents connected their lives with creative professions, so Catherine had an excellent example to follow. The actress’s father is the legendary Soviet and Russian actor Lev Durov, who worked in the theater until his death. He played dozens of bright roles on the big screen, becoming a legend of Russian cinema back in the 20th century. Catherine's mother also worked in the theater, playing on the stage of Sovremennik and Lenkom.
Photos of Ekaterina Durova in childhood
But because her parents were busy at work, Katya was often left at home alone. The Durovs' life was connected with constant tours and work on the set, which is why the parents simply did not have time to care for their little daughter. At first, the girl was in kindergarten, from where she was taken only on weekends, and then Ekaterina was sent to boarding school.
According to Durova, her parents did not always have the opportunity to take her home, so she often stayed at school even on holidays.
The parents were afraid that their daughter would never forgive them for those nine years of torment. But with age, Catherine understood the reasons why her mother and father decided to take this step. Moreover, she herself decided to connect her life with the acting profession.
The last secret
There were no more official marriages in Lev Durov’s biography, but in recent years he often appeared at various events with his young assistant Oksana Radchenko. The popular actor himself introduced her as his personal director, but let it slip several times, calling her “my girl.” Many noticed that they were holding hands. Mutual friends believed that Lev and Oksana had tender feelings for each other.
They met during a tour, Oksana worked as an assistant director, she was 27 years old, Lev Konstantinovich was a guest star, he was 68 years old. In 2003, he invited her to work as a personal assistant. She often took care of his everyday issues and looked after him during his illness. When the actor was asked by their close friends why they weren’t getting married, he said that getting married at his age would make people laugh. Oksana Radchenko herself always says in her interviews that they had only a professional relationship.
Continuing the dynasty
Ekaterina Durova, still from the film “Faryatyev’s Fantasies”.
Ekaterina Durova graduated from GITIS and was immediately accepted into the troupe of the Taganka Theater, where she worked for 4 years. Afterwards, for 35 years she served at the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya, the same one where her parents worked since 1967.
While Ekaterina was studying at the institute, her father refused to look at her work until the third year. Perhaps he was afraid of being disappointed. When his daughter began acting, Lev Konstantinovich had a reason to be proud of his daughter. The girl’s first role was as a student nurse in “School Waltz,” and after that Ilya Averbakh cast Ekaterina Durova in the film “Faryatyev’s Fantasies,” where she was to play the main character’s sister.
Ekaterina Durova with her father.
At first, the young actress was very happy, but when she found out who she was going to work with on the set, she was frankly scared. I was afraid of being too pale and inept compared to Marina Neyolova, Andrei Mironov, Zinaida Sharko. Ekaterina worked beyond her strength and capabilities, so she wanted not to fail, to be worthy not only of her colleagues, but, first of all, not to blush in front of her father.
Lev Konstantinovich, having watched Faryatiev’s Fantasies, looked differently at his own daughter. In addition to his boundless love for her, professional respect was also added. Ekaterina Durova has starred in almost 50 films, some of which will be released in 2020.
Ekaterina Durova.
The daughter of Lev Durov always dreamed of the same family as her parents had. They were together virtually from their student days and carried love and respect for each other through the years. She also got married for the first time while still a student, gave birth to a daughter at the age of 20, but her family with classmate Sergei Nasibov did not work out. Their daughter Katya Jr. was not yet a year old when her parents separated. The reason was Sergei Nasibov’s affair with Natalya Gundareva.
Ekaterina Durova with her parents, second husband Vladimir Ershov and children Katya and Ivan.
Then it was Lev Durov who became an antidepressant for his daughter, who first made her cry and then laugh at the situation. And move on with your life. A few years later, he introduced Katya to Vladimir Ershov, who, as a result, became her second husband. The marriage produced a son, Ivan. However, for Katya Jr., Vladimir Ershov became a real father, loving, understanding and wise.
When the actor asked Lev Durov for his daughter’s hand in marriage, he promised him to take care of her all his life. And he kept his word. He was next to his wife until the very last day of her life.
Ekaterina Durova.
He supported her when her mother, Irina Kirichok, passed away in 2011. Lev Konstantinovich passed away in 2020. Vladimir Ershov helped his wife cope with these cruel losses. And then he supported and forced me not to give up when Ekaterina Durova herself was diagnosed with cancer.
It seemed that they had almost defeated him, but radiation sickness made itself felt after several courses of therapy. On December 13, 2019, Ekaterina Lvovna passed away. She was only 60 years old...
And in recent years
In the artistic biography of Lev Durov there were many roles when his hero died. The popular actor himself has repeatedly stated that he is not afraid of death, and has repeatedly joked about his funeral. He experienced clinical death after a stroke in 1990. Fortunately for all the actor’s fans, he managed to return to a full life and continue to delight viewers with his works.
Once again, alarming information about Lev Konstantinovich’s illness and serious condition was leaked to the press in August 2020. He was urgently hospitalized in an unconscious state. A second stroke was previously diagnosed. Soon news appeared that the actor’s condition was deteriorating; he was diagnosed with pneumonia and had respiratory failure. The attending doctors did not give positive prognoses, but thousands of fans of the actor’s unique talent hoped for a miracle. However, a severe and protracted illness caused the death of Lev Durov. He died in hospital on August 20, 2020.