Artist's parents
The family into which Evgeniy Ilyich Zharikov was born was deservedly considered intelligent. His father, Ilya Milakhievich, was a writer who published under the pseudonym Leonid Zharikov. Mom worked at school as a teacher of Russian language and literature.
The future artist was born in the winter of 1941, a few months before the start of the war. He was the 6th child in the family, so his older brothers and sisters took care of him.
When the war broke out, the Zharikovs realized that feeding their children in Moscow would be problematic. Therefore, they sent their children to their grandparents, who lived in a village near Sergiev Posad.
Childhood
During this difficult time, in addition to the six Zharikov children, the same number of cousins, also sent by their parents to the village, lived with their grandparents.
The old men managed to save the lives of all their grandchildren during the war, and only God knows how much effort they had to put in to do this. Evgeny Zharikov himself recalled that relatives taught their grandchildren to work almost from the cradle. Thus, young Zhenya learned to ride horses from the age of 4, and by the age of 10 he knew how to do almost everything that is required of the owner of a rural house.
After the war, the children returned to their parents. For the youngest of them, taken to the village almost as a baby, Moscow and all its customs were a real curiosity. But he soon got used to it and became interested in the theater. The biography of Evgeniy Zharikov says that from that moment his life took a sharp turn, because now he realized what he wanted in life and decided to achieve his goal with all his might. The parents, as intelligent people, had nothing against their son’s wishes, so after graduating from school he submitted his documents to GITIS.
Biography of Evgeniy Zharikov during his studies at GITIS
Upon admission, the young applicant was incredibly lucky - he ended up in the workshop of Gerasimov and Makarova, who treated their students as their own children and helped them find a good job after graduating from GITIS. However, their patronage was not needed by a student named Evgeniy Zharikov: his biography contains information that the creative piggy bank of the aspiring actor, already in his second year, was replenished with a role in the film “What if this is love?” Although his character was minor, a start had been made, and a very successful one at that.
After Yuli Raizman, Andrei Tarkovsky himself invited the handsome artist to star in Ivan’s Childhood. This time the role was also small, but it was precisely this that determined Zharikov’s role - people in uniforms.
A year later, the artist received an invitation to take part in the filming of the romantic comedy “Three + Two” by Henrikh Hovhannisyan. This time Evgeny Zharikov received his first leading role.
The artist’s biography says that after this work his life took a sharp turn - having become famous throughout the country, he became an idol for many spectators, or rather, female spectators who bombarded him with letters and stood guard at his house.
Directors also became interested in Zharikov’s talent, vying with each other to offer to star in the most interesting films in the country. But the young man surprised everyone - he signed a two-year contract and went to Germany to film.
Unknown details of the biography of Evgeny Zharikov
The famous actor and idol of millions of women, Yevgeny Zharikov, died on January 18 in the Botkin Hospital from cancer. All this time, his loving son Fyodor and his adored wife Natalya Gvozdikova were next to him.
Each of us has our own Zharikov. For some, this is the fearless policeman Nikolai Kondratyev from the cult television film “Born of the Revolution”, for others – the diplomat, dandy and ladies’ man Vadim from the popular comedy “Three Plus Two”, and someone forever remembered and fell in love with him after the role of the fairy-tale Lelya in the film “The Snow Maiden” "
Recently, Evgeny Zharikov has been seriously ill. He walked using a cane, but never told anyone how difficult it was for him to walk sometimes. Only his closest people – his wife and son – knew about his suffering. It was the actor’s son Fedor who literally pulled his father out of the dead three years ago.
“At the beginning of 2009, several professors decided to take a puncture from my spine,” the actor recalled. – And they couldn’t “pick through” it! As a result, I got an infection, and I spent eight months in the hospital, learning to walk again. My son put the whole of Moscow on edge and found the best specialists who saved me. Now I owe him my life.
...It's hard to believe, but they might not have met at all, and all because of... banal lateness! Evgeny Zharikov was invited to the main role in the film “Near These Windows”. He was supposed to play with the young, aspiring actress Natalya Gvozdikova. Evgeny Ilyich in those years was already a star, he had roles in the popular film “Three Plus Two” and in Tarkovsky’s film “Ivan’s Childhood” , and millions of girls in the country went crazy about him. Evgeny Zharikov never understood admiration for his person He said: well, he’s not ugly, he’s tall – so what? Evgeny Zharikov was sincerely perplexed at what women saw in him.
– Even at school they often called me Alain Delon, and you won’t believe it, it irritated me so much! – admitted Evgeny Zharikov .
Evgeny Zharikov said that he came to the meeting with Natalya Gvozdikova , in advance. I exchanged words with friends, went to the buffet, looked into the pavilion, but the girl was nowhere to be found!
“I was just beside myself with anger,” Evgeny Zharikov . “I think: just let her come and I’ll arrange it for her!”
She came. But he didn’t say a word of reproach to her - he fell in love with this charming girl with clear blue eyes at first sight.
They say that it was Evgeny Zharikov who recommended his Natasha for the role of Maria Kondratieva in the legendary television film “Born of the Revolution.” He insisted: she and only she should play the wife of the main character. Director Grigory Kokhan did not argue with the leading actor. And so their brilliant duet was born. It was there, on the set, during a break between takes, Evgeny Zharikov confessed Natalya Gvozdikova .
– It was so romantic! Evgeny Zharikov recalled in an interview . – We were filming in Kyiv, it was snowing, I knelt down and declared my love to Natasha for a long time. My trousers were soaked through, but I didn’t even pay attention to it - I was terribly in love then.
The wedding took place in Moscow. Among the guests are only the most beloved and dear people: parents, close friends.
After the release of the film “Born of the Revolution”, Yevgeny Zharikov becomes almost a national hero. But for Yevgeny Ilyich, the public’s delight meant little. Much more important and valuable to him was his family - his beloved wife and little son Fedya.
In the 80s, Evgeny Zharikov’s took a new rapid rise. Interesting roles rained down on him as if from a cornucopia. Together with Natalya Gvozdikova, he starred in the psychological drama “Seven Hours to Death,” then again together with his beloved Natasha in the film “Still Waters Are Deep.” His next work, “The Secrets of Madame Wong,” was a resounding success among the public. Spectators and critics noted his excellent performance.
Despite the great demand in cinema, in the mid-80s Yevgeny Zharikov created the Guild of Soviet Cinema Actors. The organization, headed by Evgeny Zharikov, was engaged in helping fellow artists who were left out of work. For ten long years, Evgeny Zharikov headed the guild and organized the “Constellation” acting festival.
“I myself am sometimes surprised at how much Natasha and I managed to do,” the actor shared in a recent interview. “I’m sure I would never have managed it without my wife.” Although I know that I often offended her...
The beginning of 2000 was the beginning of a nightmare for the Zharikov-Gvozdikov family. The newspapers vied with each other with loud headlines that the famous actor had been living in two families for many years and had two children with journalist Tatyana Sekridova. In this difficult situation for any woman, the faithful Natalya Gvozdikova acted very wisely: she understood and forgave her husband. To all the caustic remarks from Natalya Gvozdikova, she invariably repeated: “Zhenya and I have been sharing both good and bad for more than thirty years. No one will be able to destroy our family.”
When the storm from the scandal subsided, Sekridova and Zharikov agreed that he would send her money every month to support the children.
“I haven’t seen this woman since then,” Evgeny Zharikov . “It’s just a pity that she doesn’t let me see the children.” As for feelings, I told her from the very beginning that she would never mean to me what Natasha and Fedya mean. I love them more than anything in the world.
Biography
Evgeny Ilyich Zharikov was born on February 26, 1941 in Moscow, in the family of the Soviet writer Leonid Zharikov (Leonid is a creative pseudonym).
In 1959 he entered VGIK and already in his second year he starred in the film “What if this is love?” Soon he was invited to play the role of diplomat Vadim in the comedy “Three Plus Two”. During the filming, actress Natalya Kustinskaya became increasingly interested in the handsome actor. But since Evgeny Zharikov was then married to figure skating coach Valentina, the romance did not work out.
Then the already popular actor was invited to play the role of Nikolai Kondratiev in the television film “Born of the Revolution.” This work brought national fame to young Evgeniy Zharikov . On the set, he begins dating actress Natalya Gvozdikova. A few months later, the young people got married and had a son, Fyodor.
Elena Konstantinova
Man in uniform and beautiful Lel
After the business trip, Evgeny Zharikov filmed a lot and often. His biography during these years is simply amazing: every year 2-4 films were released with him, and in most of them he played leading roles. How he managed to do all this remains a mystery.
Perhaps what helped to transform so quickly and effectively was the fact that many of Zharikov’s heroes were military (“No Death, Guys!”, “The Mysterious Monk,” “Day of the Angel”). At the same time, the artist made sure that, given the monotony of the roles offered, he did not become a hostage to one role. Therefore, he sometimes tried to choose heroes uncharacteristic of his image. Among them are the lover Lel from “The Snow Maiden” and Zinuli’s husband, Koka, from “It Can’t Be!”
The artist was also often invited to appear in projects of the GDR: “Signals”, “Declaration of love to G.T.”, “Anvil or Hammer”, “I want to see you”.
Movies
Evgeniy began acting in films in his second year. His debut was the role of Sergei in the film “And if this is love.” In 1961, he was invited to play the role of Galtsev in Andrei Tarkovsky’s film “Ivan’s Childhood.” By the way, Tarkovsky invited Zharikov to play the main role in the cult film “Andrei Rublev”: the actor could not because he was in Germany under a contract.
Evgeny Zharikov in the film “The Mysterious Monk”
But they started talking about the young, handsome actor after the comedy “Three Plus Two,” in which he played Vadim. Viewers saw it in 1963 - the film was a huge success, it was viewed by 35 million people.
In 1964, immediately after graduating from VGIK, Evgeny Zharikov went to film in the GDR. There he played the main role in the TV series “Russian for You”. Filming lasted two years. After returning to the Union, the actor often acted in film. During this period, films with his participation “No and Yes”, “The Air Seller”, “The Mysterious Monk”, “Day of the Angel” and others were released. With each new role, the popularity of Evgeny Zharikov grew.
Evgeny Zharikov in the film “Born of the Revolution”
In 1970, the actor appeared in another popular film, “No Death, Guys!” But in addition to recognition, this picture brought serious health problems to the actor. On the set of this film, Evgeny Zharikov fell from his horse at full gallop, as a result of which the actor received a compression fracture of the spine and an injury to the hip joint.
The serial film “Born of the Revolution,” the filming of which began in 1974, became a real success. The film takes place in the 20s and tells the story of the police's fight against crime. Evgeny Zharikov played the role of Nikolai Kondratyev, a man who went from an ordinary policeman to a general. Subsequently, the actor was often offered the roles of generals and historical figures. He played K. Voroshilov, Joseph Stalin.
Evgeny Zharikov in the film “Seven Hours to Death”
In the 80s, the actor acted less often. The works of this period are the films “Seven Hours to Death”, “Shuravi”, “The Secrets of Madame Wong”.
But in 1988, Yevgeny Zharikov received the post of President of the Guild of Soviet Cinema Actors. Even in 1991, when Soviet cinema disappeared along with the country that produced it, Zharikov retained his honorary position, becoming the head of the Russian Film Actors Guild. The actor remained in this post until 2000.
In the 90s, Evgeny Zharikov repeatedly starred in political detective stories and dramas. He played the KGB chairman in Gray Wolves, Stalin in Trotsky, and Luka in Prince Igor Dolgoruky. In the 2000s, the actor’s filmography was replenished with several more films, including “I Stay” and “Bless the Woman.” In the last years of his life, Evgeny Zharikov starred in TV series.
Evgeny Zharikov in the film "Gray Wolves"
The actor’s last role was the role of General Zuev, which Evgeny Zharikov played in the film “Hostages of Love” in 2011.
During his acting biography, Evgeny Zharikov played more than 70 diverse roles. As a dubbing actor, Evgeny Zharikov worked on two hundred films. The actor’s works also included the famous “Generals of the Sand Quarries.”
Zharikov – star of the television series “Born of the Revolution”
The role of Kondratiev in the project “Born of a Revolution” brought real fame and transition to the category of a cult actor. His brave and somewhat naive Nikolai became Zharikov’s calling card.
Participation in this project forever assigned the artist the role of a man in uniform, thanks to which, even in his twilight years, Evgeniy Zharikov was quite in demand in the profession. His biography was supplemented by another important event thanks to his participation in this series: on the set he became close to his future wife, Natalya Gvozdikova.
Career in the 80-90s.
In the new decade, the artist continued to receive a lot of filming offers. The artist considered his most successful work in this decade to be his participation in the film “The First Horse,” where he played Klim Voroshilov.
The excellent performance of the role contributed to the fact that 6 years later Evgeniy Ilyich was again invited to play this character in “The War in the Western Direction.” The 90s began for Zharikov with this role.
During these years, he played mainly businessmen, but there were also unusual roles in his filmography. He was twice Bishop of Tyre in the historical dramas Richard the Lionheart and Kenneth the Knight. He also played the landowner Roshchin in “The Peasant Young Lady.” But he considered the role of Stalin in the film “Trotsky” to be the highest achievement of this period.
Filmography
- 1963 — “Three plus two”
- 1966 — “Air Seller”
- 1973 — “Near these windows”
- 1974-1977 - “Born of the Revolution”
- 1979 — “My General”
- 1981 — “Facts of the past day”
- 1983 — “Seven hours until death”
- 1984 - “First Horse”
- 1986 — “The Secrets of Madame Wong”
- 1989 - “Private Detective, or Operation Cooperation”
- 1990 — “War in the Western Direction”
- 1993 — “Trotsky”
- 1995 — “Train to Brooklyn”
- 2003 - “Bless the Woman”
- 2011 — “Hostages of Love”
Evgenia Zharikov (biography): personal life
Despite his success with women, the artist was not flighty and preferred to have a serious relationship. His first lover, with whom he wanted to connect his life, was Valentina Zotova (skater coach). Although she was 5 years older than the actor, this did not stop them from getting married in 1962.
This union was successful, but due to the lack of children, after 12 years of marriage, Evgeniy Zharikov began to think about divorce.
His biography, personal life and all his hopes for a happy future were under threat at that time. However, higher powers had mercy on him and sent him new love. She became the star of the film “Big Change” Natalya Gvozdikova. This incredibly beautiful woman with a mischievous smile was as if created for Zharikov.
By the time they met, Gvozdikova had already made a good career in cinema. However, at the suggestion of Evgeny Zharikov, who was in love with her, she received the role of Masha in the television series “Born of the Revolution.” A year after work on the project began, Natalya Gvozdikova and Evgeniy Zharikov officially formalized their marriage.
Evgeniy’s biography (a photo of the artist after his second marriage is presented below) says that his life was filled with numerous happy events, the first of which was the birth of his son Fedor, named after Natalya’s father.
The parents doted on the baby. When he grew up, he did not follow their example, but went to study to become a French translator.
Personal life
Evgeny Ilyich was never deprived of female attention. He was amorous by nature, but married only twice. For the first time - on figure skater Valentina Zotova. After 12 years, this marriage broke up, the reason for the separation was the lack of children.
Evgeny Zharikov and Natalya Gvozdikova
He lived with his second wife Natalya Gvozdikova for 40 years, until his death. They met in 1973 on the set of the film “Near These Windows.” Gvozdikova played the main female role. Natalya recalled that she was late for the audition, and when she entered, Zharikov showed dissatisfaction with his entire appearance. The actor didn't even stand up when they were introduced to each other. The first impression is dislike for him.
The actors’ communication continued later, on the set of the crime television series “Born of the Revolution,” which brought both popularity. Evgeny Zharikov played the main role of Petrograd policeman Nikolai Kondratyev. And Natalya Gvozdikova began playing the main female role, Maria Kondratyeva, from the second episode.
Evgeny Zharikov and Natalya Gvozdikova
Already on the set, hostility gave way to mutual sympathy, which very soon grew into love. According to the plot, the characters were connected by a love relationship, which gradually spread beyond the set. Gvozdikova already had experience of an unsuccessful marriage, so she was in no hurry to rush headlong into the pool again.
Evgeny Zharikov proposed to her when she auditioned for the main role in Born of a Revolution. Natalya Gvozdikova agreed. They married modestly; there was no wedding or honeymoon. The actor’s brother arrived, loaded the young couple into a rattling army vehicle and took them to the registry office.
Evgeny Zharikov with his wife and son
On August 2, 1976, Natalya gave birth to Evgeniy’s long-awaited son. The boy was named Fedor.
Evgeny Zharikov has two illegitimate children - a son and a daughter. Their mother is journalist Tatyana Sekridova, with whom the actor had an affair since 1994. The relationship lasted almost 9 years. Evgeny Ilyich registered the children as his own, regularly came to Tatyana Sekridova whenever possible, and gave money for raising the children. But at the same time, the actor did not intend to leave his official family, although he maintained relationships on the side.
Evgeny Ilyich put an end to them when Tatyana spoke about their romance in Andrei Malakhov’s program “Let Them Talk.” The truth came as a shock to Natalya Gvozdikova, but she had the wisdom to forgive her husband and save the marriage. True, his wife demanded that he stop communicating with illegitimate children - Zharikov agreed, although he felt guilty to death for this.
Evgeny Zharikov and Tatyana Sekridova
As Tatyana Sekridova herself admitted, the discord between her and the actor began back in 1999, when Evgeny Zharikov began building a dacha. The actor spent most of the funds on construction and greatly reduced payments to illegitimate children. Because of this, the actor began to have problems in his relationship with his mistress. After this confession, journalists accused Tatyana of self-interest and using Zharikov and his money.
After the actor’s death - October 16, 2014 - Natalya Gvozdikova also spoke on the talk show “Let Them Talk,” where she told how she was able to survive her husband’s betrayal.
The actor had many hobbies. He was scuba diving for 42 years, loved horse riding, was a good fencer, played volleyball and football, was also fond of fishing and hunting, and spoke fluent English and German.
Scandal with Zharikov
Over the years, the union of Zharikov and Gvozdikova has been an example for many. But in the late 90s, a huge scandal erupted, the main character of which was Evgeniy Zharikov. His biography, his children (yes, just children, not his son) were now on everyone’s lips. After all, it turned out that the actor had two more illegitimate children growing up - Seryozha and Katya. Their mother turned out to be journalist Tatyana Sekridova, who was 19 years younger than the actor.
It turned out that their relationship lasted almost 7 years. According to the artist’s secret lover, Zharikov courted her romantically for a long time before she reciprocated. For a long time, Tatyana Alekseevna hoped that he would legitimize her position, but, realizing that this would not happen, she told the press that the father of her children was the artist Evgeniy Zharikov.
Biography, children, photos of them - all this has now become not just public knowledge, but first of all affected the relationship with Natalya Gvozdikova. The courageous woman suffered the betrayal of her husband very hard. However, being a real lady, and first of all, a loving wife, she not only managed not to create scandals in public, but also found the strength to forgive Zharikov. In turn, the artist not only broke off relations with Sekridova, but also more than once publicly characterized their relationship as lust, which had nothing to do with love.
The last years of the artist's life
Despite the fact that at the end of the 20th century. Yevgeny Zharikov managed to become a hero of the yellow press; his biography in the last decade of his life was full of events that had nothing to do with his personal life. At this time, he actively participated in the work of the Russian Film Actors Guild, helping his less fortunate colleagues survive in these difficult times. The artist also continued to act a lot.
Of course, the years have not been kind to him, but Evgeniy Ilyich managed to age with dignity. And even at 60 he looked younger than his age. His appearance has now acquired a certain solidity, thanks to which the artist was often invited to play the bosses: the FSB general in “Transit for the Devil”, General Gromov in “The Salvation Army”, the Minister of Internal Affairs in “Detectives”, the lieutenant general in “Code of Honor” and other characters. His last hero was General Zuev in “Hostages of Love.”
Observing his active professional and social life, few people knew that Zharikov was seriously ill. Back in 1999, 2 prostheses were introduced into the actor’s body, for which he had to undergo several serious surgical interventions, plus further rehabilitation therapy was required. However, he bravely endured all these difficulties.
Shortly before his death, doctors discovered he had cancer. Expensive treatment, unfortunately, did not bring healing, and, not a month before his 71st birthday, Evgeniy Zharikov died peacefully in one of the Moscow hospitals.
The biography of this actor was an example and inspiration for many, so not only colleagues, but also admirers of Evgeniy Ilyich’s talent gathered to see him off on his final journey. He was buried at Troekurovskoye Cemetery, on the so-called “Alley for Actors.”
Death
In the last years of his life, Evgeny Zharikov had serious health problems. The actor suffered a stroke, then doctors diagnosed pneumonia, then he had intestinal surgery. The consequences of a long-ago fall from a horse on the set also had an impact.
Grave of Evgeny Zharikov
During this period, Evgeniy Ilyich’s son Fyodor even quit his job for a while to care for his sick father. The family lived together in one apartment in the south-west of Moscow; they rented out another apartment, a one-room apartment, which the actor inherited from his mother, to earn a living. Both Zharikov and Gvozdikova had practically stopped filming by this point. The main source of income for the actors was creative meetings. In addition, the pension he received became a help for the actor, but the actor transferred about a third of the money he received to illegitimate but recognized children as alimony.
A few months before his death, doctors diagnosed cancer, which became the cause of the actor’s death. Doctors fought for the artist’s life to the last, but did not save him. On January 18, 2012, Evgeny Zharikov passed away. He was buried at the Troekurovsky cemetery on the so-called “actor’s alley.”
Interesting facts
- One of the artist’s favorite children’s delicacies was seed cake and pseudo-sugar, which the grandmother cooked from various plants.
- In total, the artist played in 70 projects, including both films and television series.
- Zharikov managed to receive many prestigious awards for his work. The first of them - the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR - was awarded to him in 1976, on the eve of his 35th anniversary. Two years later, for the role of Kondratiev in “Born by a Revolution,” Evgeniy Ilyich and his wife received a State Prize. The end of the 80s brought Zharikov the title of People's Artist, and after the collapse of the USSR, the actor was awarded 2 more orders and one medal.
