You can hardly find a person in Russia who would not know a single fairy-tale character, embodied on the screen by the magnificent Soviet actor Alexander Khvyly. Sage the Silent, the royal chief cook, the servant of Koschei the Immortal, the pirate Duke de la Bull and, of course, the legendary Morozko. Over the years of his creative activity, Alexander starred in more than 70 different films, played on the theater stage and was engaged in dubbing foreign films. About the life and career of the artist - in this article.
New last name
Born Alexander Leopoldovich Bressem was born on July 15 (or 2 according to the new style) on July 1905 (the zodiac sign is Cancer) in a small Ukrainian village called Alexandro-Shultino. In those days, this place was part of the Yekaterinoslav province of the Russian Empire, now it belongs to the Konstantinovsky district of Donetsk region.
It is worth noting that the history of the village is inextricably linked with Pyotr Stepanovich Kotlyarevsky - a lieutenant general, commander praised by the great Pushkin in his work "Prisoner of the Caucasus."
The ancestors of the actor were of Swedish origin, so the family name was more than atypical for native places. During the All-Union Ukrainization, the future famous artist used the opportunity. He changed his real, too attracting attention surname Bressem to a more familiar version of the local population - Khvyla. It is worth noting that in the Ukrainian spelling the half-alias name of the actor looks like Oleksandr Khvilya.
The beginning of life
The artist’s childhood and youth passed in his native village. The family was far from art and creativity, but a gifted boy from an early age was drawn to the beautiful. His talent and thirst for self-expression did not break even a rather difficult childhood.
Father Alexander Khvili worked as a mechanical engineer. Mother was engaged in housekeeping. The family was large - the couple had five children, so they lived quite modestly. The situation worsened significantly when the head of the house, husband and father, unexpectedly passed away. Alexander then only turned 2 years old.
All care for children, their upbringing and maintenance completely fell on the mother's shoulders. Of course, this was not enough for a lonely unfortunate woman. Five children grew up in a difficult situation. Their childhood was not accompanied by joy and carelessness, as is usually the case, but by want and all kinds of hardships.
Little Alexander steadfastly endured all the hardships and troubles. He studied diligently - both in the elementary parish school, and in the usual secondary educational institution. At the end of the first boy, they even awarded meritorious diplomas.
Vocation
Alexander Khvyla was diligent and persistent by nature, and these qualities helped him a lot - first in mastering knowledge, then in work. After school, he went to Sinelnikovo, where in 1920 he successfully graduated from the railway school. But, as I wanted, the graduate did not succeed in continuing to receive education - a disappointing material condition hindered the fulfillment of a dream.
The young man begins workdays. By that time, Alexander was already absolutely sure of his acting vocation, so he could not find a job for himself. He tried the most diverse areas of activity. Starting from the railway, Khvyla went from a simple secretary to an accountant, but did not stay in any of the posts for a long time.
In 1922, he still managed to get closer to the desired goal. The young man graduated from the drama studio named after Vorovsky. But he was able to start working in his specialty and vocation only after 2 years. The first place of his employment as an actor was the Ukrainian Zankovetskaya State Theater, of which he became a member of the troupe. Here, Alexander Khvyla made his debut on stage. From the very first performances, he showed the versatility of his talent - the actor was easily given the characteristic heroic characters, and lyrical-romantic.
Having gained experience playing on stage, in 1927 the artist decided to move on and moved to the Shevchenko Kharkov Theater.
First time on screen
The debut of actor Alexander Khvyli on the set took place in 1932 in the film "Ivan", where he played the role of a military speaker. The cinematic career of a Ukrainian uphill did not go right away. Among his first works were mostly episodic appearances on the screen, as well as shooting in small projects known to a narrow circle of viewers or already safely forgotten by everyone.
The most striking roles in the initial stage of Alexander’s career are:
- Vishnyakova from Red Tie;
- Gulya from the "Fifteen Years Captain";
- Dolinnik from "How Steel Was Tempered";
- Kobzar from "Bohdan Khmelnitsky";
- Savka Troyan from Schors.
One of Khvyli's best first works is the film "Alexander Parkhomenko", in which the actor performed the title character.
For his creative work, the talented artist repeatedly embodied on the screen Semyon Budyonny in various projects (especially this applies again to the period of acquaintance with the world of cinema).
Best work
Many films with Alexander Khvyly, despite the very respectable period that has elapsed since their release, are still loved by the audience and are very popular among them. A considerable merit in the acquisition of films of popular sympathy belongs to the involvement of the Ukrainian actor in the filming.
The following roles of Alexander are the most favorite among the audience:
- Wind Vetrovich in the "Golden Horns";
- Head in May Night;
- Denis Stepanovich Root in the "Kuban Cossacks";
- Cossack Chub in "Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka";
- Shopkeeper Bakhanyuk in "12 chairs";
- Head waiter in the "Diamond Arm";
- Silent Sage in Mary the Artisan;
- Ober-cook in the Kingdom of Crooked Mirrors;
- Pirate-Duke de la Bull in "Barbarian Beauty, Long Spit";
- Priest passenger in the "Queen of the gas station."
But still, none of his most famous roles can be compared with the popularity of Morozko. After the release of this film, the level of people's love for the character reached such proportions that Khvlya worked for many years as the main Santa Claus of the state and spoke in this image at the Kremlin's New Year's events.
Over the past 30 years of his life, in addition to filming, the artist was engaged in dubbing various films:
- art;
- animated;
- documentary.
On the account of the actor - more than a dozen works as a dubbing master.
Behind the scenes
Details of the personal life of Alexander Khvyli are known not so much. The status of the artist’s beloved woman belongs only to his wife Anna Ivanovna Timofeeva. Alexander shared his whole life exclusively with her. In 1937, the couple became parents - their daughter Inessa was born. She is the only child of the actor and his wife.
The biography of Alexander Khvyli ended in October 1976 (according to some sources - on the 14th, according to other information - on the 17th). The actor, holder of the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR and many other awards, was 71 years old.
For his creative work, Alexander made a huge contribution to Soviet cinema. His talent immortalized on film continues to delight fans to this day.