Vladimir Zeldin: the world's oldest actor, who went to the scene to 101 years

• Vladimir Zeldin: oldest actor, who went out in the world on stage to 101 years

A year ago, he died on one of the most prominent Soviet actors of theater and cinema, People's Artist of the USSR, the oldest of the existing actors of the world, a living legend Vladimir Zeldin. He came on set at the dawn of Soviet sound film and remained in occupation until the last few days. Its 101-day birthday Zeldin met on stage.

Vladimir Zeldin in the film Swineherd and Shepherd * * 1941

Vladimir Zeldin was born in 1915 in a family of workers of culture: his father was the conductor and the head of the music school in Tver, and his mother - a teacher of music. According to his father Vladimir was a Jew, and mother - Russian, and many friends tried to persuade him to take the mother's surname and become Popov, which would greatly facilitate its advancement in the profession. However, the actor found it unacceptable and remained Zeldin. He was orphaned very early - when Vladimir was 14 years old, his father died of cancer a few years later from pneumonia died and his mother.

After high school, Vladimir Zeldin some time worked in a factory, and in the evenings for colleagues gave speeches at a local amateur circle. At the same time he had a dream of an acting career. One day, he is not counting on the success came to audition for the Theater named MGSPS and was among the enrolled students. And in 1935, he began performing on professional theater scene.

The actor in his youth

In 1931 came the first Soviet sound film, and the film debut of Vladimir Zeldin held in 1939 became a landmark for his meeting with the director Ivan Pyryev by which aspiring actor famous throughout the Union. The role of the Georgian Musaib Gatueva in the film "Pig and shepherd" brought him fame and the love of the audience.

Vladimir Zeldin in the movie * * June 31, 1978

This movie might not appear on the screen: in 1941, the shooting interrupted by the war. All the actors called to the front, but on "Mosfilm" members of the crew issued a "reservation". They worked under the bombing, on two shifts. Later, the actor recalled: "We had a two-storey wooden house, and all the tenants in turn had to be on duty at night on the roof to extinguish incendiary bombs. We had a forceps, gloves, aprons, pot of water ... I remember that time (it took only about a month since the beginning of the war) and still amazed at how quickly we got used to the tragic circumstances: after all, people - being incredibly fit, gets used to everything ... I am deeply convinced that in this war we have won not only arms and spirit, but also the power of art. What were the front-line brigade! I'm involved in them ... ".

Vladimir Zeldin in the movie * * Classic 1998

The actor has always enjoyed great success with women and was married three times. About his personal life, he wrote in his autobiography: "The first time I got married when I was 24 years old: her name was Lucy Martynov, it was a couple years older than me, we have not got married, and our marriage did not last long. Blame it does not want anything - we lived well, but then she was fascinated by someone else and left me ... My second wife was a talented actress Henrietta Ostrovskaya or just Gisya her name at the Theater Army ... We lived together without Writing 15 years - it has been a great son from his first marriage, Alyosha, and mamma. The first time our family life looked pretty strange, yet we were both homeless, I lived in the theater, and she and Alyosha and her mother - in a hotel room that is rented for her house, and when parted, I left it all - then we had already flat, and giving. Man, I think, should do just that - I remembered all too well how difficult we started. " And with his third wife Yvette Kapralova marriage which was officially registered, the actor lived for more than 50 years. Spouse has died three months after his death.

The filmography of Vladimir Zeldin only about 50 works, most famous of which were roles in "Ballad of Siberia", "Uncle Vanya", "Carnival Night", "The Secret" Blackbirds "," Ten Little Indians "," matchmakers "and many others. In 1940-ies. Zeldin came to the Theater of the Soviet Army and remained there until his death. In Aldemaro role in the play "Dance teacher" he went on stage more than a thousand times! On the eve of his 90th birthday, he played Don Quixote, and his 100th birthday set a record: did not leave the scene for five hours! Enduring love for the profession he is considered one of the main pledges of his longevity.

Vladimir Zeldin set a record as the oldest actor, who remained in the profession in 101 years, and the oldest of the folk artists of the USSR. And in 2013, he became the oldest person who took part in the Olympic torch relay.

Prior to his 102 birthday, he did not live a few months, he passed away due to kidney failure October 31, 2016 With the departure of Vladimir Zeldin ended an era of Soviet and Russian cinema, and the same age as he witnessed.