The roles of Matveev Evgeny are remembered by each viewer who is interested in cinema from the time of the USSR. A wonderful actor, equally flawlessly playing heroes and villains, in his youth he was awarded folk love. This man died in June 2003, but he continues to live in his film projects. What is known about the creative path of the iconic figure of Soviet cinema, its off-screen life?
Childhood and youth Matveeva Eugene
The future actor was born in the small village of Novoukrainka, where his parents lived at that time, this happened in March 1922. The childhood of Evgeny Matveev was not easy. Troubles began when the boy’s father Semyon left home. Mother Nadezhda, left without a livelihood, was forced to leave for her parents in the village. They were not happy about the return of the daughter with the child, because at one time she ran away with the young Red Army without their permission.
Little Matveev Eugene was forced to work along with the adult inhabitants of the village. He worked as a water carrier, helped in the field and performed other difficult tasks for children of his age. However, the child found time for entertainment, loved to play the balalaika. His performances always gathered a crowd of fellow villagers.
A few years later, the mother took her son to Tsyurupinsk, where he first found himself in the theater. What he saw made such a strong impression on the teenager that he enrolled in the school drama circle. This was followed by training in a theatrical studio, then there were first roles in the Kherson Theater.
First love
It is not known how the life of Evgeny Matveev could have happened if the Second World War had not struck, forcing him to leave the theater and go to the front. The actor had a chance to take part in hostilities only in 1944, before that he studied at the Tyumen Infantry School. He stayed at the educational institution for another year after the war, taking over the leadership of local amateur activities. This decision helped him meet his future wife.
Young Lydia in those years studied at a local music school, she accidentally got to a performance with Matveyev. The lead actor made a lasting impression on the girl, the interest that arose was mutual. The wedding of lovers took place in April 1947. The couple quickly had children - Andrei and Svetlana. Interestingly, with Lydia, her "star" husband remained throughout his life, was never caught in novels with other women.
Star role
Evgeny Matveev is an actor who first announced himself in the world of cinema relatively late, he was already 33 years old then. Nowadays, the “Good Morning” tape is almost forgotten, but in 1955 the musical comedy made a great impression on the audience. Eugene got the main role in it, Sudbin became his character.
However, the star film of the Soviet artist was not at all the picture Good Morning. Evgeny Matveev is an actor who woke up famous after the premiere of the film “The House I Live In”. His hero was the central character - an ordinary guy Kostya Davydov, forced to face all the horrors of the war. The tape won the first place at the All-Union Film Festival, and the performer of the main role has a lot of fans.
The best film projects
Films with the participation of Yevgeny Matveev after the release of the drama "The House I Live in" began to be in great demand among the audience. The star was helped to consolidate the success by participating in the filming of the film “Virgin Soil Upturned,” the plot of which is taken from the most famous work of Sholokhov. The actor was again entrusted with one of the main roles, his character was the peasant Makar Nagulnov, working for the good of his beloved village.
The next film project allowed Matveyev to prove that he was able to play talented not only a noble hero, ready to sacrifice himself for the sake of others. It was the film "Sunday", which became the film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Tolstoy. The character of Eugene in this picture is Prince Nekhlyudov. Critics were delighted with how the actor showed the evolution of his hero, managed to convey to the audience all his experiences.
The film “Native Blood” caused a stir, after the release of which it seemed that Evgeny Matveev once again became a star. The personal life of the actor was the object of close attention of journalists, fans did not give him a pass. He and his wife took such manifestations of love philosophically, realizing that this was only part of the acting profession.
Director's Experience
The audience remembered Eugene not only as an actor, but also as a director, on whose account there are many bright projects. It all started with the release of the film "Gypsy", the plot of which was taken from the story of Kalinin. Matveev not only shot this film project, but also played the central character - Budulaya. Interestingly, critics took the experiment coolly, but the audience was delighted.
Of the last films shot by the star, it is worth noting the drama “To Love in Russian”, which was released in 1995. An insignificant budget did not prevent the picture from winning the love of the audience, which turned out to be so strong that the continuation of the tape was withdrawn already with the money collected by the fans.
Matveeva Eugene died in June 2003, a talented actor and director killed lung cancer.