Ekaterina Vasilyeva: biography, personal life, children, photo

Biography

Ekaterina Sergeevna Vasilyeva is a native Muscovite.
Her father, Sergei Vasiliev, was a famous Soviet songwriter, and her mother, Olympiada Makarenko, was the great-niece of the famous teacher Anton Makarenko, author of the “Pedagogical Poem.” From the age of thirteen, Ekaterina studied in a theater group.

In 1967 she graduated from the All-Union (now All-Russian) State Institute of Cinematography, the workshop of Vladimir Belokurov.

Here the girl immediately becomes one of the brightest and most talented on the course. Sergei Solovyov, Vasilyeva’s ex-husband and classmate, remembered her as a completely irresistible girl: “Some wild people sometimes considered Katya ugly. They said that she was even worse than Ranevskaya. But objectively, Katya was then a woman of unparalleled beauty. Firstly, young and red-haired, tall and slender, with a Shipka cigarette in her mouth. She’s also extraordinarily smart and absolutely internally free.”

Ekaterina Vasilyeva's husband - Alexander Malyshev

They met back in the 80s, when she starred in one of the films, and he choreographed stunts and directed battle scenes. The spark between them ran only in the mid-90s. Having declared their love, Ekaterina Vasilyeva and Alexander Malyshev decide to live together. At first, the actress’s daughter from her first marriage, Maryana, rebelled against their relationship. But when she saw how happy her mother was, she decided not to interfere with their relationship. Alexander continued to work in the film industry, while Ekaterina began dubbing films.

Ekaterina Vasilyeva’s husband, Alexander Malyshev, remained a civilian. They decided not to register their relationship even after the birth of their joint daughter, Ksenia. Now they live a quiet family life, which they both dreamed of before. According to Maryana’s stories, her mother and stepfather never quarrel, trying to find a compromise even in difficult circumstances. Alexander participates in stunt productions, but does this less and less. He dreams of living with his beloved. It doesn’t matter to him what living conditions are.

Theater

In 1967-1970 she worked in the troupe of the theater named after M.N. Ermolova. She was involved in the plays “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams and “A Month in the Country” by Ivan Turgenev.

In 1970-1974 she was an actress at the Sovremennik Theater. She played in the plays “Valentin and Valentina” by Mikhail Roshchin, “Like Brother to Brother” by David Rabe (directed by Andrzej Wajda).

In 1974-1987 - actress of the Moscow Art Theater. She was involved in productions of “Ivanov” and “The Seagull” by Anton Chekhov, “Uncle’s Dream” by Fyodor Dostoevsky, “The Golovlevs” by Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin, “Echelon” and “Mother-of-pearl Zinaida” by Mikhail Roshchin, etc.

In 1981-1988, the actress collaborated with the Moscow Drama Theater "Sphere", where she played in the play "Letters to a Stranger" based on Andre Maurois and Alberto Moravia.

In 1987, Vasilyeva played at the Theater on Krasnaya Presnya in the production of “Why did Konstantin shoot himself?” based on Anton Chekhov.

In 1992, at the Taganka Theater she appeared in the play “Electra” by Sophocles, in 1994 in Peter Stein’s production of “Oresteia” by Aeschylus.

In 1998, at the 814 Theater Association, she took part in the play “Woe from Wit” by Alexander Griboyedov.

She played in the enterprise play “Loving Do Not Deny...”, in the benefit performance “Sisters” based on the play by Vladimir Salyuk.

She is currently performing in the play “Olympia” at the Pyotr Fomenko Workshop theater.

Former husband of Ekaterina Vasilyeva - Timofey Spivak

The birth of the future actor Timofey Spivak took place in the Kherson region. He received an excellent musical education, but due to the fact that his hand was injured, he had to change his field of activity. In 1972 begins to study at GITIS with Vladimir Andreev, who headed the course that year. Immediately after training, he was taken into the troupe of the Moscow Drama Theater. Stanislavsky, where he worked until the end of the 80s. Having met actress Ekaterina Vasilyeva, he was intrigued by her mystery.

Soon, constant scandals and quarrels began to arise in the young family. The marriage broke up after the birth of their daughter Maryana. The ex-spouses now rarely talk, this only happens in person, since Ekaterina Vasilyeva does not use mobile phones, considering them a harmful invention.

Ekaterina Vasilyeva’s ex-husband, Timofey Spivak, worked at the Russian-Mexican Institute of Art, which he created together with Mexican director Sergio Olkhovich, which opened in the Mexican capital, Mexico City. Having returned to his homeland and not finding work for himself on a film set, he began dubbing for foreign films. His most recent works are the films “The Purge 3”, where he voiced Caleb Warrens, and “The Secret Life of Pets”, where he voiced the hawk Tiberius.

Movie

Ekaterina Vasilyeva began acting in films in the mid-sixties. She played small roles in the films “They Ring, Open the Door”, “The Life and Ascension of Yuras Bratchik”, “Love...”, “Waltz” and others.

Then the main roles appeared: “The Soldier and the Queen”, “Adam and Heva”, “This Merry Planet”, “The Balloonist”, “Preference on Fridays”, “My Dearly Beloved Detective”, “The Lady’s Visit”.

Viewers remembered her roles in the films “The Return of St. Luke”, “Bumbarash”, “Straw Hat”, “Ordinary Miracle”, “The Boys”, “Sorcerers”, “Crew”.

Biography of Ekaterina Vasilyeva

The biography of Ekaterina Vasilyeva began on August 19, 1961, the day she was born. That year, Yuri Alekseevich Gagarin flew into space. The country was in high spirits. Vasilyeva’s parents wanted to name their future child Yuri; they didn’t even think about their daughter. After the birth of the girl, it was decided to name her Ekaterina.

The girl was thoughtful and dreamy in her childhood. The future actress successfully graduated from school, receiving only two B's in her certificate. But during her school years the girl was lonely, having neither friends nor girlfriends.

After graduating from school, Ekaterina enters VGIK, which is taught by Sergei Gerasimov and Tamara Makarova. She graduates with honors, having made no friends during her student years. She made her film debut at the end of 1980, when she was invited to play in the movie “You Never Dreamed of It,” after which she received invitations to star in many films.

Serving God

In 1993, rumors spread around Moscow that the actress had entered a monastery. Soon Vasilyeva herself admitted that she had indeed abandoned her profession and went to work as the treasurer of the church in the name of the Holy Martyr Antipas in Kolymazhny Lane.

«When in the early 90s they began to write about the church, priests, and church life in general, the journalists understood little about it. Even today, many of them are not familiar with the simplest church concepts, they are confused in terminology, do not understand the meaning of the Liturgy, and may confuse it with the All-Night Vigil. What can we say about those years! They heard that I went to the monastery to pray and work for the Glory of God, and they immediately rushed to write: “Ekaterina Vasilyeva has gone to the monastery!” Ekaterina Sergeevna said in an interview with Pravoslavie.ru. — A treasurer is a person who deals with finances. I don’t know what qualities are used to appoint treasurers in other parishes, but I was appointed to raise funds for the restoration, construction and beautification of our church. And you need a lot of money! You can't mess around here! It needs to last forever. So that the external appearance of the temple and its decoration correspond to the internal content of the divine service performed in it. So that it would truly be for the glory of God! Of course, I sign all the necessary financial papers, but mainly I “walk with my face” all over Moscow and ask for money. I joke about this: if they ever erect a monument to me, then let them sculpt me with an outstretched hand.” So Ekaterina Vasilyeva did not become a nun, and therefore, over time, she was able to return to cinema.

Personal life of Ekaterina Vasilyeva

The personal life of Ekaterina Vasilyeva is as mysterious as the actress herself. It is known that in the early 80s she began dating Timofey Spivak, her acting colleague. In 1984, the young people got married. But they were too different. She loved quiet family gatherings when she could talk with loved ones. He, on the contrary, loved noisy companies with friends. They failed to overcome the contradictions, although a daughter appeared, whom the happy father decided to name Maryana in honor of his grandmother.

For a long time, the actress lived with her daughter. But in the late 90s she met Alexander Maltsev, who soon became her common-law husband. From her second husband, the actress gave birth to a daughter, naming her Ksenia, in honor of Ksenia of St. Petersburg.

Now the actress lives with her loved ones, believing that there is nothing better than family happiness.

Return to cinema

In 1996, Vasilyeva played in the TV series “Queen Margot”, and then in Valery Priemykhov’s film “Who If Not Us”.

Ekaterina Sergeevna claims that the priest allowed her to film again. The actress is very scrupulous about choosing roles and asks her spiritual father for permission to film.

In 2001, for the role of Sofia Ivanovna in Oleg Yankovsky’s melodrama “Come See Me,” Vasilyeva received the “Constellation” prize in the “Best Actress” category.

Later, the actress starred in the films “The Joys and Sorrows of the Little Lord”, “Marathon”, “Medicine for Grandma”, “Masha”, “Aunties”, the TV series “Plot”, “Prescription Happiness”, “More Important than Love”, “ The Shores of My Dreams”, “Bandit Queen”, “Anna German”, “Teachers”, “Fern Flower”, “Groom for a Fool”, etc.

On January 7, 2020, the melodrama “Zolotse” was shown on the Rossiya TV channel. Ekaterina Vasilyeva was also involved in this film.

Theater career

Ekaterina Vasilyeva: photo

The biography, personal life and children of Ekaterina Vasilyeva, as well as a photo biography, began to interest journalists and the public even at the moment when the future actress began to engage in theatrical activities. The girl studied at a theater university, where she was lucky enough to get to the famous master Belokurov, it was he who saw the remarkable talent of this actress.

Katya was not just talented, but also a very bright personality. Even in her youth, the girl was not distinguished by her attractive appearance; Katya was always thin, very tall and with bright red hair.

Many knew that this girl would easily say a strong word, not considering it shameful, and it was not uncommon for Catherine to be seen with a cigarette in her mouth, while she was always the center of everyone’s attention.

When her studies at the university were completed, Ekaterina decided to move to another theater, where she continued to play roles, but after a while the girl decided to go to work at the famous Sovremennik. It was in this theater that since 1970 the actress performed several dozen wonderful roles, but three years later Katya left the theater again and decided to move to the Moscow Art Theater. Ekaterina today says that these were the best years of her creative life, at that moment the nationality, biography, personal life and children of Ekaterina Vasilyeva began to be often discussed in society. Even a not very experienced actress was allowed to play the main roles, which she did well.

Ekaterina Vasilyeva: work in the theater

Very soon the woman was invited to go on tour abroad, but Ekaterina decided to refuse such a trip for the sake of the church; Efim Shefrin did not want to sign a letter of resignation, especially since the tour would be very profitable for the actress. Still, Catherine decided to refuse the offer and left the theater and cinema for a while.

Titles and awards

People's Artist of the RSFSR (1987)
In 2010 she was awarded the Order of Honor
Winner of the Higher Theater Prize of Moscow “Crystal Turandot” (1994), “Constellation” (2001).
In 2009, she was awarded the title of “Best Actress of the Year” at the III International Film Festival “Russian Abroad” (Moscow) for her role in the historical drama “Kromov”.
In December 2013, Vasilyeva became a laureate of the “Event of the Year” award for achievements in cinema.

Based on materials from the sites: KinoPoisk, Rossiya TV channel, StarAndStar.ru, Kino-teatr.ru, Lifeactor.ru, RIA Novosti, Pravoslavie.ru

Childhood

Ekaterina was born in Moscow on August 15, 1945 in the family of the popular songwriter Sergei Vasiliev and Olympiada Makarenko, the niece of the famous Russian teacher Anton Semenovich Makarenko. In addition to Katya, the parents also had a younger son, Anton (later a writer and director). When the girl turned 12 years old, her parents divorced and her mother and two children moved into a communal apartment. Material well-being with a state dacha, a driver and a housekeeper are a thing of the past. Her father’s alimony was not enough to live on (by the way, it was quite generous at that time - as much as 200 rubles a month) and Katya was forced to help her mother support the family - she worked part-time at the post office. She was interested in theater since childhood and at the age of 15 she began studying at the theater studio at the House of Scientists, playing all the main roles on its stage. But Katya was not at all interested in her studies - the girl received straight D's, because... She was convinced that she would not need this knowledge in the future. Therefore, she managed to obtain a certificate only at the school for working youth.

Filmography: Actress

Groom for a fool (2017)
Fern Flower (2015), TV series
Teachers (2014), TV series
Loves - loves not (2014)
Easy to find (2014)
Aunties (2013)
Live on (2013), TV series
Shores of My Dreams (2013), TV series
Marathon (2013)
Bandit Queen (2013), TV series
Triple Life (2012)
The Death Cure (2012), TV series
Masha (2012)
Moms (2012)
Atomic Ivan (2012)
Anna German (2012), TV series
The Last Doll Game (2011)
A little crazy (2011)
Medicine for Grandma (2011)
Everyone has their own war (2010), TV series
The Hindu (2010), TV series
Ivanov (2010)
Alexandra (2010)
Black Lightning (2010)
Skeleton in the Closet (2009)
Smart girl, beautiful girl (2009)
Anna Karenina (2009)
I'll be back (2009)
Kromov (2009)
Vasilyevsky Island (2009)
The Three of Place Carronade (2008)
My Autumn Blues (2008)
One day there will be love (2008), TV series
Gromov. House of Hope (2008), TV series
Father (2007)
Lera (2007)
Lilies for Lily (2006)
Cat Waltz (2006)
More important than love (2006), TV series
Happiness by prescription (2006), TV series
Bankers (2005), TV series
The Legend of Tampuk (2004), TV series
Plot (2003), TV series
The Joys and Sorrows of the Little Lord (2003)
The Cage (2003), TV series
Under the roofs of the big city (2002), TV series
Main roles (2002), TV series
Come See Me (2000)
Who else if not us (1998)
Countess de Monsoreau (1997), TV series
Queen Margot (1997), TV series
That Woman in the Window (1993)
White Horse (1993), TV series
Ka-ka-doo (1993)
Crazy Laurie (1991)
Migrants (1991)
Trail of Rain (1991)
Cynics (1991)
Crazy Woman (1991)
Until the Thunder Rolls (1991)
A Lady's Visit (1989)
Pants (1988)
Action (1987)
Overhead somersault (1987)
Barefoot on the grass (1987)
The Journey of Monsieur Perrichon (1987)
Year of the Calf (1986)
The Voice (1986)
Only I Know (1986)
My Dearly Beloved Detective (1986)
Guest from the Future (1984)
Citizens of the Universe (1984)
Autumn Gift of the Fairies (1984)
Preference on Fridays (1984)
Red, Honest, in Love (1984)
What did Senka have? (1984)
The Boys (1983)
Mushroom Rain (1982)
The Magicians (1982)
Vacancy (1981)
Other games and fun (1981)
Born of the Storm (1981)
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (1981)
Sold Laughter (1981)
What would you choose? (1981)
At the Beginning of Glorious Deeds (1980)
Late Dates (1980)
Lifeguard (1980)
Crew (1980)
The Wife Gone (1979)
Men and Women (1979)
Accept a telegram on loan (1979)
Don't part with your loved ones (1979)
House Under Construction (1978)
An Ordinary Miracle (1978)
You wrote to me (1977)
Untransferable Key (1977)
Twenty days without war (1976)
The Life and Death of Ferdinand Luce (1976)
You wrote to me... (1976)
Diamonds for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat (1975)
Balloonist (1975)
The Woodpecker Doesn't Have a Headache (1975)
Step forward (1975)
Straw Hat (1974)
About those I remember and love (1973)
This Gay Planet (1973)
City in the Caucasus (1972)
Bumbarash (1971)
Egor Bulychev and others (1971)
How to Become a Man (1971)
Egor Bulychov and others (1971)
Month of August (1971)
Taimyr is calling you (1970)
Return of "Saint Luke" (1970)
Adam and Heva (1969)
Waltz (1969)
Family Happiness (1969)
Plot for a short story (1969)
To Love (1968)
Search (1968)
The Soldier and the Queen (1968)
War Under the Roofs (1967)
Journalist (1967)
Save a Drowning Man (1967)
On Tomorrow Street (1965)

Family of Ekaterina Vasilyeva

Ekaterina Vasilyeva's family was unusual by the standards of the Soviet period. Her father was director Evgeny Vasiliev, and her mother was the once famous actress Zhanna Prokhorenko.

My father was born on the last day of January in 1927 in the Moscow region. The place of birth was a small village named Luchinino. He was at the front during the war, after which he received an economic education in 1951. Deciding that this was not for him, and becoming interested in cinematography, Evgeny Vasiliev entered VGIK to study as a cameraman. The course was headed by A. Golovni. After completing his studies, he began working at the Mosnauchfilm film studio; later he worked at Mosfilm and Sverdlovfilm.

He makes many films that made him famous in the country. His daughter, Ekaterina Vasilyeva, starred in his films “Farewell of the Slavic Woman,” “Until the Thunder Strikes,” and “In the Lingonberry Forest.”

In 2007 he died, he was buried in his homeland, in the cemetery of his native village.

Ekaterina Vasilyeva’s mother, Zhanna Prokhorenko, appeared in the Poltava region a year before the Great Patriotic War. They named her Zhanneta. After the war, the girl’s family moved to Leningrad, where the future actress went to the city’s Zhdanov Palace of Pioneers to study acting. After this, he entered the All-Union State Institute of Cinematographic Art, where he studied with S. Gerasimov and T. Makarova. She studied with the future great stars of Soviet and Russian cinema - Galina Polskikh, Lydia Fedoseeva-Shukshina, Larisa Luzhina. Zhanna became popular during her student years, playing in “The Ballad of a Soldier,” which was filmed by Grigory Chukhrai. But after a number of years, the actress plays only episodic roles. The most famous films in which she played, in addition to her debut film, were “Balzaminov’s Marriage”, “Twins”, “Smersh”. The last film was the film “Lynx”, in which she brilliantly played a grandmother. The actress was devastated by the death of her lover, and soon she became ill with oncology.

The actress died in her Moscow apartment on August 1, 2011. She was buried in one of the capital's cemeteries.

Personal life and family of the actress

In her young years, the passions and storms in the actress’s personal life were serious. Vasilyeva’s first husband was director Sergei Solovyov. Bright feelings were shattered by an unsettled life and prolonged lack of money. Although the couple did not live long, they maintained human relationships for life. Sergei Alexandrovich always speaks positively about his ex-wife, saying that he always respected her.

Photo of Vasilyeva and her first husband – Sergei Solovyov

In 1970, Ekaterina married Mikhail Roshchin. Their acquaintance took place in a restaurant at the House of Writers. The playwright was vacationing there with his friends - Oleg Efremov and his wife Alla Pokrovskaya. At some point, the woman noticed Vasilyeva and commented on this fact.

Roshchin, hearing that Katya Vasilyeva was coming, wanted to run after her, but she herself came up to the table. Then they exchanged pleasantries, since they had heard a lot about each other, and kissed as if they had known each other all their lives. After the restaurant closed, having collected the remaining snacks and alcohol, they went to the playwright’s home. Mikhail introduced a new acquaintance to his wife Lydia Savchenko. The three of them sat for a little longer.

When Vasilyeva was getting ready to go home, Roshchin volunteered to accompany her. Lydia, who had known her husband for several days, understood everything and suggested calling a taxi, but Mikhail insisted on his own. He never returned home. First, she and Katya went to a restaurant at Vnukovo airport, then the playwright read his new story to the artist until the morning. In the morning, when she arrived at work, the actress received a telegram from Lydia Savchenko, in which she congratulated Vasilyeva on her victory.

The newlyweds had nowhere to live; they wandered from apartment to apartment. When they began to earn enough, they did not save money to buy their own home, but threw lavish parties. In 1973, the couple had a son, Dmitry. Soon, Mikhail and Catherine divorced without causing a scandal.

Dmitry Roshchin graduated from VGIK in 1995. By profession he is an actor and director. Living side by side with his believing mother, the man reconsidered his views on life and went to the Moscow Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in 2001. He served as rector in several churches in the capital, when he served as treasurer, Ekaterina Sergeevna helped her son.

Photo of the actress with her son

The actress herself became a churchgoer thanks to the doctor, Ekaterina Trubetskoy, who treated Dima for a cold. Vasilyeva first came to church at the age of 33, and then she was baptized. After this, the actress is selective in her choice of roles.

Dmitry is married, he gave Vasiliev 8 grandchildren. The man does not maintain a relationship with his eldest son Arseny, born in a civil marriage with Elena Korikova.

The artist’s grandson, born by Elena Korikova

Vasilyeva was able to maintain normal relations with both ex-husbands. The actress has no pages on social networks other than Wikipedia.

Career blossoming

The actress's talent fully revealed itself in the 70s of the last century. Film directors quickly saw the actress’s gift and began vying with each other to invite Vasilyeva to both comedic and dramatic roles. She managed to do both effortlessly. Ekaterina Vasilyeva played quite a lot of bright and memorable roles. Even if these were supporting roles. For example, consider Atamansha Tulchinskaya from “Bumbarash”, her role in the comedy “Taimyr is calling you”, or Anais from “Straw Hat”.

Images of modern women also stand out in Vasilyeva’s collection. For example, in the films “The Woodpecker Doesn’t Have a Headache”, “The Rescuer”, “Late Dates”, “The Non-Transferable Key”.

But one of the best works can rightfully be called Emilia in the fairy tale “An Ordinary Miracle.”

Catherine created images of powerful and independent female characters. But at the same time, her heroines are not devoid of lyricism and tender feelings. The chieftain from “Bumbarash” and the sorceress from “Sorcerers” suffer from their “position” and dream of love.

In 1989, Ekaterina Vasilyeva played the main role in the tragic farce “The Lady’s Visit” by Mikhail Kozakov. Thus, she created the image of a millionaire who returned decades later to her hometown to ransom her loved one who had betrayed her.