American weekdays Russian actress: how was the fate of Helen Nightingale in exile

• American weekdays Russian actress: how was the fate of Helen Nightingale in exile

After shooting in three films by Nikita Mikhalkov Elena Nightingale was one of the most popular and sought-after actresses in the USSR 1970-1980's. Therefore, for many it was a complete surprise when in 1991 she and her husband emigrated to the United States. Despite the fact that the continuation of film career there could be no question, Elena Nightingale never regretted my choice and found something for everyone.

Elena Nightingale in the movie * * Late Flowers 1969

Scene from the movie * * The King Stag 1969

Elena Nightingale in the movie * * Children Vanyushina 1973

Her triumph in film was the role in the film by Nikita Mikhalkov "Slave of Love" (1975). She was so convincing in the role of the exalted, a little 'out of this world, "the actress that many still associate and identify it with this heroine. Although "love slave" it was only in the case when choosing between family and career, he gave preference to the first, that the actor's environment is extremely rare.

The first time Elena Nightingale sacrificed love professional prospects in 1970, when after the end of fighting positions, she was invited to the troupe of the Maly Theater. But she was married and all of a sudden decided to move in with her husband in Leningrad. Since then, they never parted. She was able to combine work and the birth and upbringing of children. Her husband went with her to the shooting and helped with the children.

Elena Nightingale in the film * The King Stag * 1969

A still from the movie * Seven Brides corporal Zbrueva * 1970Camymi known her work had roles in the films "Children Vanyushina", "Seven Brides corporal Zbrueva", "You can not dream ..." "Look for the woman" and the all-Union popularity it Mikhalkov brought the film "Slave of love", "Unfinished piece for mechanical piano" and "A few days in the life of II Oblomov". At the end of the 1980s. proposals have been smaller, and in 1991 she and her husband decided to leave the United States. Their motives, she explained: "I was away from the country for one reason - not seen in Russia for the future of their children. And I never regretted. Once my children, and now grandchildren and well in America, then why should it be bad for me? No, it was not nostalgia. I have been longing for people, which was on different sides of the ocean. "

Her husband, the artist Yuri Pugach, found a job in the United States almost immediately. At first he worked as a graphic designer in the jewelry shop and then got a job in an art gallery. Yelena Solovey has no illusions about the conquest of Hollywood - such it does not make plans initially. The actress took home and children and began to call himself an American housewife. But she did not stay long with nothing to do.

Elena Nightingale in the movie * * Slave of Love 1975

Soon, the actress went to work on the Russian-language radio in New Jersey - read excerpts from the works of Russian classics, played in the theater of Alexander Zhurbin. And later he played several bit parts in films by American director James Gray Russian origin. In the United States, and found something for everyone - Elena Nightingale taught at drama school for the children of immigrants from Russia.

Elena Nightingale in the film * Unfinished Piece for Mechanical Piano * 1976

Elena Nightingale in the movie * * Open book, 1977, 1979

A still from the movie * Several days from the life of II Oblomov * 1979

On the question of whether it is their choice does not regret, the actress answers unequivocally: "I am happy - otherwise I would not live there. I live feelings and sensations, is important for me is my family. I do not quite understand when they say she's a woman - a mother dedicated her life to children. I have nothing to anyone devoted, it's my life and my world. I could not become an actress, but in this case would still be happy if my kids were happy, my husband and everything would be fine. I'd had enough of this. I respect women who know how to make a career, though she did not know how. In America, I did not have any ambition. But when a few years ago I was interviewed and asked if my name to appear in Hollywood, I said - no, there I am no use to anyone, so do not call. In the US, I just live. "

A still from the movie * You can not dream ... *, 1980

Elena Nightingale in the movie * * Look for a woman 1982

A still from the movie * friend *, 1987Ceychas actress 70 years, and she believes that use every chance she fell: and successfully implemented in a career and in his personal life.