The image of a cheerful, good-natured and funny Fedor from the comedy of Gaidai “The Adventures of Shurik” has been familiar to many since childhood. But few people know about the difficult life and the tragic fate of the performer of this role. The theme of the material is actor Alexei Smirnov.
Stage talent
Beloved artist was born on February 28, 1920. In the family, besides him, there was a younger brother Arkady. When the boys were small, parents moved to St. Petersburg. There children grew up. Dad died young. Sons were raised by a mother. She was a strong and confident woman. Fearing that she could not cope with her duties and would not be able to raise good young men, the widow rarely even let boys out into the yard.
The first roles of Alexei Smirnov were still at school. The talent of the actor showed up quite early. He actively participated in the amateur class. Therefore, a handsome, young and energetic guy without hesitation was accepted into the theater studio. There, the young man declared himself as a successful student. In 1940 he was admitted to the Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy, where he attended courses. Interestingly, the actor had no hearing.
He managed to play only one role when he was drafted into the army. Subsequently, the Great Patriotic War thundered. The young man immediately signed up as a volunteer.
Then the artist left his beloved girl, whom he promised to marry immediately upon returning home.
Sole of company
At the front, as on the stage, Alexey Makarovich Smirnov was a real star. He was distinguished from other soldiers by a good sense of humor and the ability to cheer. Often a man refused to obey orders of higher ranks. But disobedience to the actor was forgiven.
Another achievement of the artist is the concerts that he himself staged for his comrades at the front. Alex played the main roles and acted as a director. The evenings that he organized became a comfort to many soldiers. Most of all, the military liked the production of “The Wedding in the Robin”, where subsequently, ironically, one of the most prominent roles was played by actor Alexei Smirnov.
In battle, the man was extraordinarily courageous. He skillfully exterminated enemy equipment, captured the Germans and repeatedly saved his brothers from certain death.
For his devotion to his homeland, Alexei was awarded many medals. He was awarded the Order of Glory I and II degrees. The title of Hero of the Union was prevented by the concussion.
Horrible news
Returning from the hospital, the first thing this man did was to part with his lover, who was waiting for him. Then no one could explain such an act of the soldier. And only many years later it became known that after an injury at the front, Alexei Smirnov became barren. The biography of a cheerful and kind artist was actually very sad.
Almost no one knew about the military exploits of the actor. It should be noted that the man did not maintain ties with colleagues. Although Alexei was invited to meetings annually and repeatedly wrote to him, he avoided friends on the regiment. Moreover, he never told his colleagues in the film crew about the years spent at the front. The actor’s acquaintances are sure that the reason for such actions lies in the fact that any recollections of the war were extremely painful for the vulnerable soul of a soldier.
Despite this, in those rare moments when Alexei Makarovich Smirnov spoke about the front, his stories were filled with humor and joy.
Main woman
Throughout his life, the artist considered himself a very ugly person. I thought that no one would like tall stature and asymmetrical face. He knew that he could not have children, so he did not try to have a serious relationship with the young ladies. He was often seen on the set surrounded by a company of ladies. But the man never remained alone with them.
The only woman of his life became a mother. Strong and healthy, she escorted him to war. But in 1941, the younger brother Arkady died at the front. This tragedy broke a woman. Her mental health was impaired. Therefore, the actor Alexei Smirnov was forced to care for the unfortunate.
After the war, he settled in his old little communal apartment with his mother. Due to his modesty, the artist, even when he became popular (plus taking into account military achievements), was not able to get a separate apartment.
Bitter glory
After the war, he worked in the theater. Due to illness, the mother refused touring and lucrative offers. However, very soon his filmmakers liked the filmmakers. At first, the man was invited to play episodic comic roles. The first screen work was the painting “Baltic Glory” of 1957. Then, one after another, the offers fell on the artist.
At first, only humorous roles were played by Alexei Smirnov. The films Striped Flight, Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka, Operation Y, Aibolit 66 became hits. After these roles, the man was recognized on the streets.
However, the actor himself dreamed of playing a dramatic character. Such an opportunity was given by Leonid Bykov, Aleksey’s comrade, director and protagonist of the film “Only Old Men Go to Battle”. Many critics and viewers have noticed that these men did not play friendships in front of the camera.
Warm feelings for each other, they carried through time. Therefore, the death of Bykov in April 1979 greatly affected the health of Smirnov. When he was subsequently taken to the hospital, the doctors found several more serious diseases. On May 7 of that year, the actor was supposed to be discharged. However, that night the man had a heart attack. Very few people came to the funeral of the great artist.
Unknown hero
Children were especially fond of this good man. They ran after herd, and he played with them for hours on end. Another of his talents was wood carving. Practically every kid Aleksey gave some funny figure on occasion. He took part of his work to an orphanage. There, the actor drew attention to a vicious boy and even wanted to take custody of him. However, the authorities did not allow Smirnov to become a father.
In real life, Alex was far from the image of a clown and slow-witted. He read a lot, had a serious library. At the same time he collected insects and reptiles, which he collected on tour in different parts of the Union. There were many icons in his room. Often quoted Japanese poetry.
A man off the stage dressed very simply. Usually wore tracksuits. Actor Alexei Smirnov never suffered from a star fever. Without hesitation, he spoke with strangers on the street and greeted everyone who recognized him. He was a really great man with a big soul.