We can say with confidence that among fans of Soviet and Russian cinema and theater there will not be a person who would not know the name of Yuri Smirnov, People's Artist of the Russian Federation (the title was awarded to him in 1997). Yuri Nikolaevich graduated from the theater school named after V. B. Schukin in 1963. In the Taganka Theater, the actor has been working since 1963, and in 1961 he made his film debut. The first fame brought him the film "Bumbarash", which was released in 1971, where he played the role of Gavrila.
Childhood
Actor Yuri Smirnov was born on November 6, 1938. His father, Nikolai Alekseevich, who came from the Volga region to Moscow, was from a family of hereditary shoemakers. Mom, Vera Petrovna, was from under Tula, from a dispossessed family: her father had a large farm consisting of sheep and cows. She worked as a young girl in the service of people, and then worked at various enterprises. At the time the war began, and his father was called to the front, little Yuri was 2.5 years old. He and his mother went near Tula to relatives, in a village that was soon occupied by the Germans. In 1943, the family returned to Moscow, and after some time, their father was commissioned from the front. A little time passed, and the second child appeared in the family - the son Nikolai.
Study
The choice of the profession of Yuri was influenced by Alexander Zbruev, a childhood friend and classmate, who later also became a famous actor. In the first year of admission to the VB Shchukin Theater School, an entrant Yuri Smirnov was not enrolled. But he was taken to the Shchepkinsky school, from which a year later they expelled, without explaining the reasons.
The mentor in Shchepkinskiy was Leonid Andreyevich Volkov. He created such an atmosphere on the course that his workshop was nicknamed the "School of Young Murderers." Leaving the walls of this institution, the future actor decided once again to try to enter the Shchukin school. Having successfully passed the exams, Yuri Smirnov came to outstanding teachers: Leonid Moiseevich Shikhmatov, Vera Konstantinovna Lvova. They taught him all the intricacies of acting. In 1963, Smirnov graduated from the Schukin School.
Theatrical activity
In 1963, the actor was hired by the Taganka Drama and Comedy Theater under the direction of Alexander Konstantinovich Plotnikov. After 6 months, a new artistic director, Yuri Petrovich Lyubimov, came to the theater with part of his troupe. On the stage, actor Yuri Smirnov played a huge number of the most diverse roles. For example, in the plays “The Master and Margarita” these are Behemoth and Likhodeev, “For every sage there are quite simplicity” - Krutitsky, “And the dawns here are quiet” - the father of Lisa Brichkina.
Cinema and television
In the movie, the first recognition came to the actor after the role of Gavrila in the film "Bumbarash". The film with a wonderful cast was released in 1971. The real success came to Yuri Smirnov after the film "Eternal Call", which was released in 1973. The actor brilliantly played a supporting role - the negative hero, traitor and villain Pyotr Petrovich Polipov. When the director brought the script and offered the role to Yuri Nikolayevich, he without hesitation chose the opportunity to play Polyipov - and performed his task simply brilliantly. In total, the actor played more than fifty roles in the movie. Photo actor Yuri Smirnov at the time released in sets of postcards with images of Soviet artists. In the series "Euphrosyne" played the role of Mikheich - this is one of the last great works of Yuri Nikolaevich. On the 365-day channel, Smirnov worked as the host of the Day of Ages program.
A family
Yuri Smirnov met his future wife at the Taganka Theater. He and Galina Gritsenko were approved for the role of lovers in the play of Pyotr Naumovich Fomenko "Microdistrict". After Yuri Lyubimov came to the theater, many artists were out of work, including Galina. She did not become a star, but was engaged in a house, a family. Yuri Nikolaevich immediately drew attention to Galina, but at that time she was not free and had a daughter, Yuri Nikolaevich had a girlfriend. But feelings turned out to be stronger than conventions. Galina divorced her husband, and Yuri broke up with her lover. After two years of romance, the couple legalized their relationship and have been married for over 50 years. Daughter Catherine lives in France, has a home, family, work there. Katya graduated from the Shchepkinsky school, was listed on Central Television as an announcer, and now works on the Euronews channel. The Smirnov couple have two granddaughters, thirty and sixteen years old. Son Maxim graduated from the Faculty of Philosophy of Moscow State University, works as a documentary filmmaker. When Galina and Yuri are asked what is the secret of a strong marriage, they answer simply - in patience.