George Vitsin: a modest life of an outstanding comedian

• George Vitsin: a modest life of an outstanding comedian

April 18 marks 100 years since the birth of the famous film and theater actor, People's Artist of the USSR Georgy Vitsin. Most viewers will remember him in a role - as an outstanding comedian from the legendary trio Coward, Bobby and Experienced, well-known thanks to the comedy directed by Leonid Gaidai. But only a few know how an actor in real life. Many of the facts to the public will be a real eye-opener.

George Vitsin as Gogol

George Vitsin on the screen look so organic and liberated in a comic role that no one knew about the natural modesty and closure of the actor. He admitted: "I grew up very shy child. And to get rid of this complex, I decided to learn to speak. I went to the fourth grade in the theatrical circle. By the way, a very good remedy ... Here I am cured. " In fact, these problems actor did not get rid of - until the end of days, he avoided contact with strangers, he led reclusive and shunned fans.

George Vitsin in the movie * * A substitute, 1954

George Vitsin in the movie * * Bootleggers 1961

The image of a reckless drunkard, in which George Vitsin so often appear in the film was so convincing that many viewers associate the actor with his on-screen characters. In fact, he did not drink - Vitsin about their health very seriously, did not smoke and do yoga. He first picked up a cigarette in 8 years, and has experienced such disgust that the anti-smoking reflex is preserved for life. Just came out and drink: after roughly spent the New Year it was so bad that he was sworn never to drink alcohol.

In the movie Vitsin often played drinkers

A still from the movie Prisoner of the Caucasus * * 1966

Even when a scene with a drink had to play on the script, Vitsin required to replace a non-alcoholic drink. For example, during the filming of the episode "the Caucasian captive", where Coward, Bobby and Experienced drink beer, Vitsin flatly refused to do so. He poured in a glass of broth hips, but it looked incredibly - foam was not. As a result, the actor still had to drain the glass of the beer. He did not like acting gatherings and never participated in the feasts. His position was so fundamental that many others irritated. So, Nonna Mordjukova after filming with Vitsin in "Marriage Bal'zaminova" could not resist: "Are not you a man? Do not drink, do not smoke, do not stick to the women. You're a corpse! ".

Shot from the movie * * Marriage Bal'zaminova 1964

For many years, the actor was engaged in yoga, with daily workouts and meditations. He took this so seriously that he even interrupted the filming process due to their occupations. "If I do not do yoga, many of my role in the movie were not so successful, - Georgy explained. - After the process of filming - a very difficult thing dreary. While waiting, when you withdraw, you can spend the whole day, though tired, so that all the humor out of you by itself out of steam. How, then, to play? But I'm on set, in spite of the noise, shouting, often falling asleep flat on 10-15 minutes, thereby allowing the body to rest, relax. "

A still from the movie * Operation * N * and other adventures Shurik * 1965

The famous trio: Coward, Experienced and Goonies

The greatest popularity brought Vitsin roles in comedies Gaidai, where, together with Yuri Nikulin and Yevgeny Morgunov they so convincingly portrayed the inseparable trinity rakes that the audience believed in their friendship in real life. In fact, it was hard to imagine people more different and incompatible. Morgunov loved merry and often behaved in a boorish way with a director Vitsin has always deepened in thought and silent, and the man-holiday Nikulin tried to establish contact with all. But the friends they have never been.

The famous trio: Coward, Experienced and Goonies

A still from the movie Prisoner of the Caucasus * * 1966

Vitsin played one of the characters in the zucchini * * 13 chairs, 1969Cam actor says about himself: "I am generally very flexible, patient and non-aggressive. Always substitute the other cheek, and I will not fight ... Just because it is a Christian wise rule. I sometimes bite my dogs, and I forgive him - after all, they are unhappy, pooch ... I'm not explosive. Nerves can take, but I still try to avoid this. Temperature is not that I have to play passion. Yes, I'm afraid of them ... ".

A still from the movie * * Gentlemen of Fortune 1971

Actress Natalya Varley wrote about Vitsin: "He lived some such his, quiet life ... feed the cats and dogs. Another was Smolensk grocery store, and he was allowed to stray cats and dogs trimming bones, meat. He went from house to house and feed them ... That's the kind of person - a very gentle soul, very vulnerable, never, it seems to me, is nothing without asking, never pushing for myself is no requirement to another in relation to itself, no material goods in his life he I never achieved. The very memory of Georgy very bright. It's sad, because it is not and is sad because he can not now give a lesson in humility, intelligence, courtesy and reverent attitude to the acting profession. "

He died as quietly passed away in 2001 after a serious illness. In a recent interview the actor said goodbye: "Do not fuss, people. Life takes an awful lot of time! ".