Nothing is eternal under the Moon. This statement does not require evidence, especially if you read about the idols of the past, the names of which modern youth have not even heard. Among such bright, but extinct and forgotten stars is Boris Amarantov, the cause of death of which to this day remains a mystery even to those who were personally acquainted with the artist.
Biography
Boris Amaranth was born on September 19, 1940 and was a descendant of several generations of clergy. As a child, he saw the performances of a juggler in a circus and fell ill with an arena.
Possessing enormous industriousness, the teenager Boris Amarantov himself mastered several circus techniques and began to arrange performances in front of his peers.
Despite this, he had to take exams 6 times at the GUTsI. As he later told himself, he managed to enter this prestigious educational institution only thanks to the famous mime Leonid Yengibarov, who was a member of the selection committee. They tell a joke that the famous artist suggested that the insistent applicant hold a spoon on his nose for 5 minutes, and Amarantov so wanted to become a student that he stood motionless for 20 minutes. Then the hearts of the examiners trembled, and they decided to give the young man a chance.
Carier start
In 1962, Boris Amarantov graduated from the GUTSEI with the diploma number “Ke-la-la”, staged by director Sergei Kashtelyan. His performance made a splash on the Blue Light and immediately made the young artist famous throughout the country.
At that time, Amarantov’s repertoire contained only 3 sketches: “Clown in the Italian Circus”, “Atomic Man Played Out” and “The Scattered Juggler”, but he was invited to participate in various concert programs with pleasure.
Success
Even before graduation, Boris Amaranth took part in the Eighth World Festival of Youth and Students, which was held in the city of Helsinki. There he made a very relevant miniature at that time, “Take Care of the World,” better known as “The Atomic Gambler.”
The issue was enthusiastically received by the multinational audience. Eyewitnesses say that although he himself lasted only 3 minutes, the applause of the audience lasted three times longer.
In the miniature “The Atomic Engineer Played Over” 2 musical fragments were used: a lyrical song and compositions in the rockabilly style. Their contrast created an unusual atmosphere on the stage and made the audience think about the fragility of the world, which is one step away from another global war.
After the overseas triumph, Amarantov was often sent to international tours. In particular, he became one of the few Soviet artists who were allowed to show their art in Japan, Bulgaria, Sweden, East Germany and Cuba. Moreover, in all these countries, the audience gave him a standing ovation and admired the talent of the Soviet mime.
Having become famous, Boris Amarantov created the pantomime theater. The main achievement of this period was the play "Miracles in a Traveling Bag" staged by G. Chukhrai, M. Donskoy and B. Amarantov, which was a great success.
Filmography and literary activity
The artist managed to star in 4 films. They became the picture:
- "On tomorrow's street."
- "Fair wind, Blue Bird!" (joint production of the USSR and the SFRY).
- "Great attraction."
- “Love for three oranges” (joint production of the USSR and Bulgaria).
In his spare time from working on the stage and filming a movie, Amaranth wrote poetry and left behind several works with a deep philosophical meaning, reflecting his worldview.
Intrigue and persecution
In the following years, Boris Amarantov, whose biography up to this point was the envy of his colleagues, more than once experienced the pressure of the Soviet bureaucratic machine. In particular, some senior officials of the Ministry of Culture of the RSFSR repeatedly closed its theater. The artist was worth the titanic work to achieve its discovery, however, after the troupe began rehearsing, B. Amarantov himself was dismissed.
The expulsion from the theater seriously affected the mental state of the artist. In addition, they did not want to hire him in any theater, so Amaranth was forced to become a night watchman.
In the summer of 1975, the actor wrote a letter to the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. In it, he renounced Soviet citizenship and demanded permission to leave the USSR. He was not only denied, but also subjected to threats and persecution.
Emigration
In August 1977, Amaranth finally left the USSR. After three months of wandering, he arrived in the United States. Contrary to all expectations, he did not have an acting career in the United States. Then the disappointed actor moved to France. There he began to attend pantomime classes, conducted by the great Marcel Marceau himself.
Return
When perestroika began in the USSR, the actor decided to start life anew in his homeland. He restored citizenship and came to Moscow. However, it turned out that no one was waiting for him there. Especially painful did him a longtime friend - Sergey Kashtelyan. He not only did not want to help him, but in the literal sense of the word he lowered him from the stairs, accusing him of betraying his homeland. And even the artist’s own sister, who in the absence of Amarantov took his lawful apartment, met her brother with hostility and treated him extremely disrespectfully. Such a cold reception from the side of the closest people led to the fact that the talented artist, exhausted by life, fell into a state of passion.
Boris Amaranth (biography): cause of death
The artist died on March 3, 1987, a few days after returning from exile. Although a medical examination was conducted, the official cause of death of the actor was not voiced by either doctors or relatives. This became the reason that numerous fans, having not received an answer to the question of how Boris Amarantov died, began to put forward various versions of his death. In particular, knowing his difficult relationship with the authorities, some of the artist’s friends believed that he was killed on the orders of senior officials who did not forgive him for disrespectful attitude to their persons. Others held the view that Amaranth committed suicide, unable to withstand the pressure and rejection of his own family. There were also rumors that he had caught some incurable disease in the States or in Europe, which he hid from others.
The artist was buried in the capital, at the Vostryakovsky cemetery next to his mother - Serafima Pavlovna Amarantova. There is no monument on his grave and only a small granite slab is installed. There is no photograph on it, only an inscription that says: “Mime, laureate of international competitions, Boris Amaranth. 1940-1987 ". He lived only 47 years and died, offended by the whole world!
Now you know who Amaranth Boris Georgievich was, the cause of death of which has not been solved to this day.