“Irina Skobtseva, an sophisticated, courteous actress, carefully treats her every role, before embarking on rehearsals, she will certainly give an assessment of her abilities. Her play is always deep, thoughtful, as if the actress is walking on thin ice and is afraid to stumble ... "An approximately such characteristic was given to Irina Skobtseva by film critics of the fifties of the last century. And this interpretation is fully consistent with reality. Beauty actress Irina Skobtseva, whose biography abounds in many roles that reflect the lives of ordinary women, tried to turn the simplest role into a heroic story about the fate of a peasant woman, worker or employee.
Skobtseva was born on August 22, 1927 in a simple family. After graduation, she entered the Faculty of Art History at Moscow State University. During her studies, she devoted all her free time to playing in the performances of the student theater, and after receiving a diploma, she immediately entered the Moscow Art Theater School. The film debut of Moscow State University graduate took place in 1955, in the film by S. Yutkevich "Othello". Skobtseva without samples was approved for the role of Desdemona. On the set, Irina met her future husband, Sergei Bondarchuk. The young actress was slightly confused by the surging emotions, but soon the excitement subsided, and the actress brilliantly coped with the role. Thus, Irina Skobtseva, whose biography was already marked by the first role of the classical genre, could confidently prepare for further film projects.
After Desdemona's debut role, the offers to star in a continuous stream, and the actress accepted four scenarios. These were films: “Ivan Franko”, “Duel”, “Unique Spring” and “Ordinary Man”. Each role was interesting in its own way, however, the plot of the film “The Unique Spring” suggested a selfish and absurd housekeeper, for whom there is nothing sacred. Skobtseva's appearance was ideally suited for this role, she did not even need to make up. But the role of Kira in the film “Ordinary Man” made the actress sacrifice the natural freshness of her face, apply makeup, add drama, and only then was the authenticity of the image achieved. At that time, Irina Skobtseva, whose biography was waiting for updates, could work without rest, she literally plunged into each new role, giving herself up without a trace.
Shurochka from “The Duel” was the exact opposite of Irina Skobtseva. The actress had to play every character trait of her heroine - to transmit unbridled impulsiveness, rapid heartbeat and endless thirst for some cruel events. Two women combined in Shurochka and both demanded high acting skills. Actress Irina Skobtseva brilliantly played two female characters at the same time. Work on the image of Shurochka, according to Irina, was entrancing and gave her almost physical pleasure. This role became significant, and the biography of Irina Skobtseva was literally marked by work on the image of Shurochka from Kuprin's “Duel”.
The personal life of actress Skobtseva is a repetition of her acting fate, she is just as whole, deep and beautiful. In 1959, Irina Skobtseva, whose biography did not yet contain pages of her personal life, married Sergei Bondarchuk, who needs no introduction. In a happy marriage, two children were born to the spouses - daughter Elena Bondarchuk and son Fedor Bondarchuk. Elena, unfortunately, did not live long, at the age of forty she died of cancer. Fedor Bondarchuk successfully continues family traditions in cinema and is a successful director.