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1-38 of 38
- "Oleg makes an impression." On his DVD commentary for "Righteous Kill" (2008), director Jon Avnet remarks that he needed a powerful actor to play Russian mob enforcer Yevgeny Mugalat, a character who survives six gunshots at close range. International star Oleg Taktarov, born in Sarov, Russia, proved uniquely capable of fulfilling Avnet's demanding expectations. When Oleg first appears on camera as Mugalat, the director states emphatically in the audio commentary that the actor "makes an impression." Long before "Righteous Kill," Oleg already left global audiences with memorable impressions as "The Russian Bear," a UFC champion who took unconventional paths up to the top of the world's most difficult professions: acting and fighting.
Today, Oleg ranks among Russia's three most popular movie stars and its highest paid actors. His frank autobiography, "Up To The Top," is a best seller in Russia where Oleg's series "The Guardian" was also a number one television show. In America, Oleg works with the A List of actors and directors in hit blockbusters. He will play one of the leads with Adrien Brody and Topher Grace in "Predators" (2010), produced and written by action film innovator Robert Rodriguez. Oleg's distinguished list of achievements began while he was only a child in Sarov, a home to some of Russia's most eminent scholars and scientists. By age twelve, he was a recognized martial arts expert throughout the country.
Before he came to America in 1994 to pursue his dream of acting in the movies, Oleg Taktarov was an established global hero with records as the World Sambo Champion, the Russian National Judo Champion, and a four-time European and Asian Jujitsu Champion. Just six months after his arrival in the United States, Oleg defeated David "Tank" Abbott in July 1995 and became the reigning UFC Champion. At his classic 1996 "Superbrawl" with Ken Shamrock in Buffalo, New York, Oleg's fans in the U.S. audience waved signs that declared, "Russian Bear becomes American Hero!"
With the momentum of his UFC success and an enthusiastic American fan base to support him, Oleg learned English and studied acting at the prestigious L.A. Playhouse. After minor roles in a handful of Hollywood movies including "Air Force One" (1997), Oleg beat a thousand actors competing in auditions for his first significant film part as one of the antagonists in John Herzfeld's "15 Minutes" (2001) starring Robert DeNiro.
Again, Oleg made an unforgettable impression in "15 Minutes" as an unrelenting baddie, who aspires to be a movie director and steals a camcorder to photograph the criminal mayhem he inflicts upon Manhattan. During the shoot, Robert DeNiro shared acting advice with Oleg who returned the favor with pointers for more realistic fight scenes. The two were reunited for Avnet's "Righteous Kill" (2008), also starring Al Pacino.
After "15 Minutes," Oleg played charismatic heroes in "Red Serpent" (2002) and in the remake of "Rollerball" (2002). Reflecting events in his own life as a fighter, Oleg's character in "Rollerball" incites wild cheering by the fans in a Kazakhstan arena when he resists the dictates of a greedy sports league owner played by Jean Reno. Oleg continued to build his impressive resume' in American movies and television series with performances in "Bad Boys II" (2003), "National Treasure" (2004), "Alias" ("The Two," 2003), and "Navy NCIS" ("Judgment Day," 2008). He returned to movies depicting the brutal street culture of New York City with his riveting performances in "Rockaway" (2007) and "We Own the Night" (2007) with Mark Wahlberg and Joaquin Phoenix. James Gray, the director of "Night," compared Oleg to a "young Charles Bronson," another dynamic Hollywood actor of Russian heritage.
Oleg's dramatic leading work in American films has proven that he can deliver both big moments and subtle ones. In "Rockaway" (2007), he quietly recounts a brutal memory of his character's service in Afghanistan with harrowing pain. In "Montana" (2008), Oleg's sympathetic hero Nikolai escapes from his adversaries into the streets of Los Angeles where he is befriended and hidden by a single mother and her son. Before the final showdown, Nikolai symbolically mends the fences between the everyday people of the U.S. and Russia. Oleg's empathetic performance of a Russian seeking a new life in America enables the film to succeed on many levels as a personal drama, crime adventure and a plea for understanding. At the premiere of "Montana," Oleg said, "I already knew all about this hero."
During one of his triumphant nights as UFC Champion, Oleg exited the ring after a victory and stated to a reporter, "I can do anything." It was not an idle boast. The fans of Oleg Taktarov know that "Up To The Top" is only the first chapter in volumes of future achievements by the native son of Sarov. When "Rolling Stone" celebrated its fourth year of publication in Russia, the magazine sponsored an exhibit of its celebrity photographs in Moscow. Oleg's dramatic photograph was a highlight of the exhibit, proving that the "Russian Bear" has fought his way to the top and achieved rock star status. - Actress
- Writer
Natalia Vodianova was born on 28 February 1982 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress and writer, known for Clash of the Titans (2010), Belle du Seigneur (2012) and Together Forever. She is married to Antoine Arnault. She was previously married to Justin Portman.- Actress
- Producer
- Writer
Irina Voronina came to the US in 2001 to pursue modeling career. Besides appearing in numerous print ads and magazines, Irina's acting career has soon taken off. We have recently seen her on a big screen in Reno 911!: Miami (2007) and Epic Movie (2007). She is also a series regular in a first ever live action show on Adult Swim's Saul of the Mole Men (2007) (Cartoon Network). We'll be seeing her soon on a big screen in a new comedy Balls of Fury (2007) due in September 2007 and the new Alan Ball film Towelhead (2007). Look for Irina in 2008 Maxim calendar, Ameristar Hotels and Chevy print ads.- The famous Russian actor was discovered by Andrei Tarkovsky. He was looking for an actor to play the part of Andrei Rublev for his second full-length film and accidentally found the completely unknown Solonitsyn in Chelyabinsk. He worked there as an amateur actor. After Andrei Rublev, he played main parts in many of Russia's best movies.
- Irina Pegova is Russian theater and film actress. Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (2012). Winner of the Russian theater prize 'Golden Mask' 2005 and 2008. In 1995 she entered the department "Actor of Dramatic Theater and Cinema" of the Gorkiy Theater School (creative director - Vasiliy Bogomazov). During her studies, she was noticed by director Pyotr Fomenko. In 1997, after leaving the second year of study at the school, Pegova went to Moscow and entered GITIS on an actor-director's course of Pyotr Fomenko. In 2001, immediately after the end of GITIS, she was accepted into the troupe of the Moscow theater "Pyotr Fomenko Workshop". She played in the performances 'White Nights', 'Wolves and Sheep', 'One Absolutely Happy Village', 'War and Peace. Beginning of the novel', 'Mad of Chaillot' and others. In 2003, Irina Pegova played the first major film role in Aleksey Uchitel's film Progulka (2003). Since 2004, she has been working with the Moscow Studio Theater under the direction of Oleg Tabakov, where she was engaged in the performances 'Wife', 'A Tale of Happy Moscow', 'Mad Day, or The Marriage of Figaro', 'Uncle Vanya'. Since 2006 Irina is an actress of the Moscow Art Theater named after Anton Chekhov. In 2012 she was invited to the Moscow Academic Theater named after Vladimir Mayakovsky for the main role in the play 'Talents and Fans' based on the play by Aleksandr Ostrovskiy of the same name, directed by Mindaugas Karbauskis.
- Anne Vyalitsyna was born on 19 March 1986 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for Lullaby (2014), Maroon 5: Misery (2010) and Alanis Morissette: Out Is Through - Version 2 (2004).
- Ekaterina Vilkova was born on 11 July 1984 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for Hipsters (2008), Black Lightning (2009) and The Three Musketeers (2013). She has been married to Ilya Lyubimov since 1 May 2011. They have two children.
- Elena Aroseva was born on 12 March 1984 in Arzamas-16, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Sarov, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for Nulevoy kilometr (2007), Proklyatyy ray-2 (2008) and Dva berega (2023).
- Actress
- Soundtrack
After starring in 13 motion pictures that were released in the European continent and while performing in Europe, she composed a Theme song for a motion picture "Night Train to Venice" starring Hugh Grant and Malkolm McDowell. In January of 2006 she released a Full length CD "Ghost" in Japan and Asia on "Tricycle Entertainment". Natalia won an award "Silver Rose of Montreau" in an International Music and Film Festival in Switzerland for starring in a European motion picture. Full Length CD "Lingerie" was released in US. Natalia has a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and practices Psychology in US along with her music/acting career. Natalia was born in a musical family in ST. Petersburg, Russia. She started writing songs since the age of 7. At 17 she attended the Academy of Music, Film and Television of St. Petersburg Natalia speaks four languages (English, German, Russian and French) She writes her own lyrics and melodies.- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Zhora Kryzhovnikov was born on 14 February 1979 in Arzamas-16, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Sarov, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. He is a producer and director, known for Gorko! (2013), Nechayanno (2014) and Call DiCaprio! (2018). He is married to Olga Dolmatovskaya. He was previously married to Yuliya Aleksandrova.- Natalya Surkova was born on 14 March 1967 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for The Fool (2014), Svoi (2004) and The Arena (2001).
- Actor
- Visual Effects
- Editor
Andrey Ilin was born on 18 June 1960 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. He is an actor and editor, known for Lektor (2011), Kamenskaya - 1 (1999) and Pushkin: Poslednyaya duel (2006). He is married to Inga Rutkevich. They have one child. He was previously married to Aleksandra Tabakova, Lyudmila Voroshilova and Olga ?.- Valentina Telichkina was born on 10 January 1945 in Krasnoe, Arzamasskiy rayon, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for The Seagull (1972), Bolshoy (2017) and It Can't Be! (1975). She is married to Vladimir Gudkov. They have one child.
- Music Artist
- Actor
- Music Department
Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy was born on July 6, 1937, in Nizhny Novgorod (Gorky). His father, named David Ashkenazi, was a popular concert pianist in the Soviet Union. His mother, named Evstolia Grigoryevna (nee Plotnova), was also a musician. Young Ashkenazy studied piano at the Central School of Music in Moscow. In 1952, then 14-year-old, Askenazy premiered the 3rd piano concerto by Dmitri Kabalevsky. In 1955 he won the 2nd prize at the Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw. In 1956 he won the 1st prize at the Queen Elizabeth International Piano Competition in Brussels. From 1958-1963 he studied at the Moscow Conservatory under renown pianist Lev Oborin. In 1961 Askenazy married his fellow student Thorunn Joannsdottir and they had a son, Vladimir, born in Moscow. Mr. Ashkenazy became the citizen of Iceland in 1972.
Vladimir Askenazy shot to fame after he won the 1st prize at the Tchaikovsky International Competition in 1962. The same year he gave successful piano recitals in London. In 1963 he emigrated from USSR to Britain. There he began a successful career as a conductor. Since 1981 Ashkenazy was appointed Conductor of the Royal Symphony Orchestra, and from 1987-1994 he was Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Royal Symphony Orchestra in London. At the same time, From 1989-1999 Ashkenazy was Principal Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. From 1998-2003 Vladimir Ashkenazy was Music Director of Czech Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague, Czech Republic. Since 2004 he started a three-year contract as Music Director of the NHK Symphony Orchestra in Tokyo, Japan.
Vladimir Ashkenazy is currently President of the Rachmaninoff Society. His interpretations of piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff are among the best. He also made many other critically acclaimed recordings of piano music including all concertos of Ludwig van Beethoven. He received several Grammy awards as well as other international awards and prizes for his studio recordings and concert performances. His recording of 24 preludes and fugues by Dmitri Shostakovich brought him another Grammy award in 1999. Mr. Ashkenazy is Conductor-Laureat with the Iceland Symphony Orchestrathe, he is also Music Director of Youth Orchestra of the European Union.- Darya Pogodina was born on 3 March 1987 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for Antidur (2007), UnichtoZhanna and Mechty Alisy (2006).
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Yuriy Popovich was born on 31 December 1959 in Balakhna, Gorkovskaya oblast, USSR. He is a director and actor, known for Pro Petra i Pavla (2015), Otravlennaya zhizn (2018) and Sledstvennyy komitet (SK) (2011).- Natalya Vladimirovna Bochkaryova was born in Gorky, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Nizhny Novgorod, Russia]. Her parents died in the 2000's. She has one younger sister.
She graduated from Nizhny Novgorod Theatre School in 2000, and from Moscow Art Theatre School in 2002.
She started her career in 1999, when she played a small role in movie called "Chinese service".
Since 2006, she has played the main role of Darya Bukina in the TV series "Happy Together" which is an adaptation of TV series "Married ... With Children".
She has been a Moscow Art Theater's actress since 2002.
Since 2010, she has also been a television presenter.
She has been married to lawyer Nikolai Borisov since 2007, they have two children and live in Moscow, Russia. - Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
Sergey Kristovskiy was born on 31 July 1971 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. He is an actor and composer, known for Ana & I, Space Dogs (2010) and Semeyka Ady (2008). He has been married to Natalya Zemtsova since 29 June 2016. They have one child. He was previously married to Natalya ?.- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Aleksandr Efremov was born on 1 May 1951 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. He is a director and actor, known for Povodyr (2001), List ozhidaniya... (2023) and Nash chelovek v San-Remo (1990).- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Natalya Lukeicheva was born on 22 August 1975 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress and director, known for Barvikha (2009), Zolotye (2011) and Dalnoboyshchiki (2001). She is married to Anatoliy Yakimov. They have one child.- Lidiya Ezhevskaya was born on 12 December 1955 in Kremlyov, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Sarov, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for Milenkiy ty moy (1992), Gosudarstvennaya granitsa (1980) and Double Passing (1984).
- Vladimir Kornilin was born on 8 May 1929 in Arzamas, Gorkovskaya oblast, USSR. He was an actor, known for Enguris napirebze (1961) and Khozyain taygi (1969). He died on 13 June 2020 in Tula, Russia.
- Elena Medvedeva was born on 30 October 1971 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She is an actress, known for I'm Staying (2007), Manga (2005) and Night Swallows (2013). She is married to Aleksandr Bukharov. They have one child.
- Euvgenia Parakhina was born on 15 July 1971 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia].
- Yelena Odintsova was born on 1 February 1942 in Gorkiy, Gorkovskaya oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Nizhniy Novgorod, Nizhegorodskaya oblast, Russia]. She was an actress, known for Kholodno - goryacho (1971), Spyashchiy lev (1965) and Ubit pri ispolnenii (1978). She died on 15 November 1993 in Moscow, Russia.