Georgiy Zhzhonov

President Vladimir Putin, himself a former KGB spy, decorating Georgiy Zhzhonov for his artistic portrayals of Soviet secret agents.

Georgiy Stepanovich Zhzhonov (Russian: Гео́ргий Степа́нович Жжёнов, IPA: [ɡʲɪˈorɡʲɪj sʲtʲɪˈpanəvʲɪdʑ ˈʐʐonəf];[1] March 22, 1915 – December 8, 2005) was a Soviet actor and writer.[2]

Having matriculated from the Leningrad Circus Tekhnikum in 1932, he appeared in several movies, including the legendary Chapaev (1934).

In 1939, Zhzhonov was repressed and spent 15 years in the Siberian GULAG labour camps (particularly, as an inmate lorry driver in remote areas). When released in 1955, he started his film career anew and rose to become a People's Artist of the USSR in 1980. In a curious twist of fate, Zhzhonov was frequently cast in the roles of policemen and KGB agents. This Gulag victim was even awarded a special KGB prize for the screen versions of three novels by Yulian Semyonov. Zhzhonov was also invited to play Stierlitz, but declined for personal reasons.

During the Perestroika, Zhzhonov started publishing his own fiction. In the 1990s, he received many awards, including the Nika Award for lifelong career. A monument to him was opened in Chelyabinsk in 2000.

Zhzhonov spent his 90th birthday acting in the Soviet Army Theatre. Later that day, he was invited to the Kremlin to be invested with the highest civilian decoration of Russia. During a conversation that followed, President Putin admitted that Zhzhonov's roles had prompted him to become an intelligence officer.[2]

Films

Georgiy Zhzhonov as Teryoshka in the film Chapayev. 1934.
Georgiy Zhzhonov as the Patrol officer in the film Beware of the Car. 1966. The postal card issued to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of the actor. Russian Post, 2015.

Honours and awards

References

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  1. ↑ In isolation, Степа́нович is pronounced [sʲtʲɪˈpanəvʲɪtɕ].
  2. 1 2 Bobb Edwards. "Georgi Zhzhyonov.". Retrieved 2014-11-26.
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