Domestic cinema has always accepted Ukrainian actors in its paintings. Neighbor brothers, as these two countries often called, have long been famous for the joint production of films and TV shows. One of those working on “two fronts” is actor Alexei Gorbunov. The biography of this person will be the topic of our article.
Dreams of the future
Alexey was born in 1961 in the Ukrainian capital. Almost immediately after birth, he and his family moved to a picturesque corner, the historical heritage of Kiev, the Rusanivka massif. He lived there with his parents almost until he came of age.
While still in high school, he was thinking about choosing a future profession. Like most of his peers, he participated in stage productions. The biography of actor Alexei Gorbunov includes the fact that after graduation he did not enter the Kiev Theater Institute, although he dreamed very much. Postponing the attempt for the next year, Alex does not want to do something else. They take him to the Lesia Ukrainka Theater with pleasure.
One step from school to work
There he worked as an auxiliary worker. He mounted light installations, helped in the costume shop. Friendliness led him to a meeting with Ada Rogovtseva. The actress was so fascinated by the young man that she introduced him to her husband, teacher and actor Konstantin Stepankov. He, in turn, gave instructions to the future artist.
Stepankov took Gorbunov to his course at the Karpenko-Kary Institute, which Alexey graduated in 1984. A few months earlier, as an actor, Alexei Gorbunov lit up with a small appearance in Petrov and Vasechkin’s Vacations. The directors willingly gave him secondary images, seeing creativity. Obtaining a diploma was the last thing to do. Gorbunov could feel himself a star, knowing at the same time that he would have to constantly prove his status. After the morning presentation of the certificate, actor Alexei Gorbunov went straight to the site; on this day started shooting “Cargo without marking”.
And Russia is closer to me ...
The graduation year was marked by admission to the troupe of the Dovzhenko Theater. There Gorbunov will work for eleven years. In 1985, he was called up for military service, and then returned to the profession. Until the end of the 80s, he periodically appears on television and is actively acting in films. However, most of the pictures coming out with his participation collect neutral feedback from the audience.
In the first half of the 90s, the crisis in Russia affected neighboring states. Filmmaking was frozen. Actor Alexei Gorbunov was looking for a job, earning money, in particular, as a taxi driver. I had to be content with the infrequent appearance on the screen, agreeing to what was offered. Using his skills, he was a leading discotheque, a DJ at local radio stations. The director Vladimir Popkov helped to rectify the situation. In 1997, he suggested that Gorbunov play the role of the fun-jester Chico in the launching series “Countess de Monsoro”. Around this time, Alexey is more often removed in Russia than in his homeland.
The best movies, the best series
The historical-costumed “Countess de Monsoro” was shown in several countries. Actor Alexey Gorbunov receives an invitation from Ukrainian television to become the host of the “Night Alarm” show. In 1998, he starred with Valery Todorovsky in the “Country of the Deaf”, where he gets the role of a supplier of products. In the next few years, Gorbunov became a frequent guest of Russian TV shows: “Bourgeois's Birthday”, “Kamenskaya”, “Turetsky March”. In 2002, he takes part in the Austrian comedy drama Blue Moon, and then starred in the historical action movie Breed.
Modern period
In 2005, Philip Jankowski calls the actor to the “State Councilor”, and two years later, Nikita Mikhalkov puts the tape “12”. Actor Alexei Gorbunov, whose filmography includes multi-genre works, during his career, tries on many images, from dramatic to comedic. He manages to masterfully transform into sellers, janitors, jurors, bikers, Air Force commanders, and Chekists. In 2008, he appears in “Inhabited Island” and “Hipsters”, in 2010 - in the military “Territory” and the teenage hit “Children under 16 ...”.
In 2012, the actor goes to Odessa, where he holds a master class at the film festival. In 2013, Gorbunov, along with other Russian actors, starred in the foreign thriller "Mobius". And also gets the role of Moriarty in the modern domestic version of “Sherlock Holmes”.
Interesting Facts
Aleksey Gorbunov was once engaged in voice acting. Cinema is not his only occupation. The actor acts as a soloist of the team “Sadness of the pilot. As a guest star, he participated in the entreprise "Theatrical Partnership", staged by Oleg Menshikov.
The latter spoke warmly about Gorbunov. He calls him a light and a little naive person. Each of his screen images is an experience of past years. At the same time, the ease with which he begins to work is felt. And, of course, one cannot fail to note natural talent, charisma and high professionalism.
The political crisis in Ukraine did not pass by the actor. According to press reports, he refused to star in Russian projects. In 2014, Gorbunov began filming the Ukrainian military drama “Guard”, and a little earlier the production of the domestic series “Leningrad-46” was completed.
Actor Alexei Gorbunov: personal life
This person belongs to the type of people who do not like to talk about family life. With Svetlana Lopukhova, an artist by profession, his current wife, he met for a long time. According to unconfirmed information, the actor has two daughters from different women.
The best film works
For his work, Alexei Gorbunov has played in more than 130 films. Among the most striking films with his participation are the following:
- “Son for father” (2014). HR partner - Anton Makarsky.
- “Champions from the Gateway” (2011).
- “Grass in the Snow” (2010).
- “I” (2009).
- The Red Chapel (2004).
- “The Gold of the Party” (1993).
- “The man from the Alpha team (1992).
- “Two Steps to Silence” (1991).