Victor Stepanov: biography and filmography of the actor

This actor was remembered by the audience as the performer of the role of Mikhail Lomonosov in the 1986 serial film. His strong-willed and somehow nationally pedigree face was noticed in the bright and talented manner of the village operative representative of the late Stalinist years from the painting "The Cold Summer of the 53rd ...". The filmography of Victor Stepanov is striking in its length, especially if one knows that the actor made his debut at the cinema at the age of 36. And lived only 58.

Far Sakhalin

Great is Russia. At one end of it the sun rises, and on the other it's still a deep night. But not only the dimensions are grandiose, everywhere talented people are born and live. May 21, 1947 on Sakhalin, in North Kurilsk, the future actor Victor Stepanov was born. His biography began in these remote places from the European part of Russia, his childhood passed in Serdobsk. The family was big, five children grew up in it. The beauties of Sakhalin and the Kuriles, apparently, influenced the formation of the character and attitude of the future actor.

The Sakhalin Region in those years was a very remote province. Very many household goods, common to residents of Moscow, Leningrad, the capitals of the union republics and simply large cities of the European part of the Soviet Union, people who lived there, seemed a luxury. It remains to be seen how much effort Stepanova had for the mother of many children to create conditions for the harmonious development of their children. Judging by the result, it deserves the highest praise. Acting work always required knowledge, strength of character, and simply human wisdom. Entering the Institute of Culture, and even at the directing department, it was very difficult, but this is what Victor set himself. And knowledge, and will he had.

Cities and theaters

Victor Stepanov elected the profession of director, to gain mastery of it, he entered the Tambov branch of the Moscow Institute of Culture and graduated this school in 1972. Then there were many years of work in theaters in different cities. Tambov, where he studied, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in his native land, as well as Novgorod became geographical locations in which the artist went to a professional school.

After many years, during the Leningrad tour, the management of the Lenkom drew attention to the artist's artistic appearance, and he was invited to the troupe. It happened already in 1991. His actor discovered his talent almost immediately, and during his theatrical career he managed to play many bright roles.

It's not surprising that Viktor Stepanov began to work in one of the best Soviet theaters, but that it happened at such a mature age. And yet it's fine. As in such cases it is customary to say, it's better late than never.

Peak of cinematic glory

A serious debut in cinematography was the role in the historical film about Academician Ivan Pavlov, filmed in 1984. Before that there was a small episode in "Vanity of vanities," but Victor Stepanov did not attach much importance to him. A large figure and strong-willed face gave the actor a certain role. His character could be a peasant, but certainly not a simple, military leader or a historical figure. In the movies of the late eighties and early nineties, this image was in demand. The truth-seeker Petr Lutsik from the "Outskirts", Bakhyt Kilibayev from the "Gongofer", the general from the "Lucifer", Boiled from the "Last Business" - these and other roles added popularity to the artist already known to all by Mikhail Lomonosov. The demand was so high that it was necessary to shoot one day in eleven paintings simultaneously. It seemed that it was impossible to catch everything, but the artist Viktor Stepanov did not let any director down.

Lomonosov

Talent - this ability, backed up by work. Appearance is also a part of it, and the actor was generously endowed with it. A real Russian hero, such as he was portrayed by artists (Konstantin Vasiliev, for example) is the image to which the unique texture was applicable. Giant and giants, so decided the directors, and they were not mistaken. Historical films with the participation of Viktor Stepanov described the hard way of Russia, the epochs in which her future was decided. In addition to MV Lomonosov, he was able to create images of Ermak Timofeevich and Peter the Great, as well as the collective characteristic roles of people who participated in fateful events.

Unfortunately, the work on "Ermak" had consequences for the actor, adversely affecting his health.

From Malyuta to Chaliapin

Films with Victor Stepanov reflect other pages of the centuries-old Russian chronicle. By the number of epic roles, there are few actors who were lucky enough to work in the genre of historical cinema. In the film "War" he successfully created the image of the commander, Malyuta succeeded him ("The Thunder Over Rus", 1992) and the great bass Fedor Shalyapin ("Under the Sign of Scorpio" 1995). The director Vitaly Melnikov ("Tsarevich Alexey", 1996) literally had to restrain the actor who tried to convey the image of the great autocrat-reformer as he understood it, which was somewhat at odds with the general concept of the picture in which Peter I still corresponded to the canonical historical understanding of him Role.

Malyuta Skuratov's negative charm is conveyed by the actor so that the viewer no longer perceives this historical character as a banal villain. This image was especially successful for Stepanov, he put in it a certain tragedy, which allows one to judge this ambiguous figure in its own way.

Cold summer

Actually, "Cold summer ..." can also be attributed to historical films. The plot line of this film develops against the backdrop of quite real events, the background is very carefully written in the picture, household details, and the policeman Mankov is a real Soviet officer, convinced of his righteousness (although sometimes erroneous), very sincere, ready to fulfill his duty in any circumstances . He knows for sure that "no one is putting us in vain", but human emotions are not alien to him either. Even how he sings about migratory birds, reveals in him a true patriot who loves all of Russia, from the Kuriles to Brest, as well as Victor Stepanov himself. The photos of all of his characters, who were on the screen, and failed, demonstrate the ability to get used to each of the proposed historical images, but in some cases, it seems that the uniform feels a little tight, and it's not the size of clothing at all. Just the actor is too painfully great.

First wife

Victor Stepanov is a very handsome actor. The spectator can admire both his game, and the power, energy and masculinity that comes from his very appearance. There is no doubt that many women loved him, but there is no information about his scandalous novels. Apparently, the actor had very firm moral principles. For two decades, Stepanov lived with his first wife, Eli. To the great regret, God did not give this pair of children. After the divorce, she lives in Tambov, she knows that often goes to church.

Last years

After remaining a bachelor, Viktor Stepanov plunged into the work with his head, and one day, during the filming in Kiev, Dovzhenko, met Natalia, who worked there as a dresser. With her, in a house built near the capital of Ukraine, he lived all the remaining years, almost without separation (except for trips to Kamchatka and to Japan).

The couple raised a foster son Nikita, whose late father was a friend of Viktor Stepanov. The life of this couple was dumbfounded by a serious illness of the actor, which became the result of a trauma received on the set of the film "Ermak". The fall from the horse, the spinal cord injury caused malignant formation, slowly killing the artist.

Describe the anguish experienced by oncologists, it is useless. Suffering physical aggravated by a sense of doom. But this man was not such as to be dejected. He continued to create, although there were cases when on the set he was brought in his arms.

Without thinking of life without art, Victor Stepanov overcame the pain and continued to act in films. This struggle lasted twelve years. The last role was performed by him a month before his death. The film was called "And life goes on ..."

At the end of December 2005, a Russian actor was singing in the Ilyinskaya church in Kiev. Say goodbye to him came many people who are related to art, and ordinary citizens who loved Stepanov and those whose images he was able to create.