Advanced search

Victoria Haralabidou was born on 23 October 1971 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. She is an actress, known for Brides (2004), Psyhi vathia (2009) and The Tourist (2022).

Oksana Akinshina was born on 19 April 1987 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. She is an actress, known for Lilya 4-Ever (2002), The Bourne Supremacy (2004) and Sputnik (2020). She was previously married to Archil Gelovani and Dmitriy Litvinov.

Paulina Andreeva was born on 12 October 1988 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. She is an actress and writer, known for Plachu s vami (2019), The Method (2015) and Better Than Us (2018). She was previously married to Fedor Bondarchuk.

Nikita Bogolyubov was born in Leningrad, USSR (now St. Petersburg, Russia). He had his first taste of being an entertainer from ice skating when he was only four years old. His family immigrated to the US when Nikita was only eight years old which allowed him to stay fluent in both English and Russian.

Nikita's television debut came from NBC's Prime Suspect (2011) where he had a scene opposite of Maria Bello. Wanting to showcase more of his versatility, he also worked in various projects at the American Film Institute (AFI).

For his feature film The Saratov Approach (2013), Larry King exclaimed at the premiere that Nikita "stole the movie" with his performance.

He has since been cast on ABC's Castle (2009), CBS' Scorpion (2014), FX's Legion (2017), HBO's Barry (2018) and NETFLIX's Iron Fist (2017).

As a teenager, she graduated from the modeling school. In secondary school her studies were mediocre, but for the last few years learning everything caught up due to coaching. Because of this, Elizaveta acquired two foreign languages - English and German. The graduating class decided to enter the branch of "Public relations" of the Faculty of Journalism at Saint Petersburg State University. Visiting the opening of the academic theater "On Mokhovoy" and several productions Theatre Lensoveta, Elizaveta decided to enter the Theatre Institute. As she later recalled Boyarskaya, parents did not dissuade her from such a choice, but warned "About all the undercurrents".

Since 2006 - the actress of the Maly Drama Theatre (Theatre of Europe) in St. Petersburg.

Elizaveta a few months to prepare for entry into the Saint Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy under Lev Dodin's mastery. He received the Presidential Scholarship. Graduated SPbGATI in 2007.

Konstantin Khabenskiy is a Russian actor known in the West for his working the horror flicks Night Watch (2004) and Day Watch (2006). He is also co-starring opposite Angelina Jolie in Wanted (2008).

He was born Konstantin Yurevich Khabenskiy on January 11, 1972, in Leningrad, USSR (now St. Petersburg, Russia). His father, Yuri Aronovich Khabenskiy, and his mother, Tatiana Gennadievna (nee Nikulina), were hydrological engineers. Young Konstantin studied electronics at the Leningrad Technical School of Aviation Electronics and Automatics. He dropped out after three years of studies after deciding that electronics was not for him.

He then played guitar on Leningrad's famous main street, Nevsky Prospekt, as a struggling street musician, and also worked as stage technician at the Theater-Studio "Subbota". From 1990 to 1995 he studied acting at the St. Peterburg Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography, renamed in 1991 when the city of Leningrad was renamed St. Petersburg. There his classmates were [link=nm0691717 Andrey Zibrov, and Mikhail Trukhin. In 1995, Konstantin graduated from the class of Veniamin Filshtinsky, as an actor. He had a five-month stint at the Raikin Theater of Satire in Moscow, but could not obtain any serious work there, so he returned to St. Petersburg.

Konstantin made his film debut in Na kogo Bog poschlet (1994). He shot to fame in Russia after co-starring in Uboynaya sila (2000), a popular series about crime in St. Petersburg, Russia. He ascended to international fame with the leading role as Anton Gorodetsky in the popular Russian vampire franchise, Night Watch (2004), and the second installment, Day Watch (2006), both by director Timur Bekmambetov and based on the books by Sergey Lukyanenko. He further advanced his film career appearing as Exterminatior in the horror film Wanted (2008).

From 1996 to 2003 Konstantin was a member of the troupe at the St. Petersburg Theater of Lensovet. There he worked together with his former classmates Mikhail Porechenkov, Mikhail Trukhin, and Andrey Zibrov, under the directorship of Yuri Butusov. In 2003 Khabenskiy and Porechenkov were invited by Oleg Tabakov to work with the world famous Moscow Arts Theater (MXAT). There Konstantin played the leading role in"White guard", a classic play by Mikhail A. Bulgakov. He also appeared as Claudius in a Russian adaptation of Shakespeare's "Hamlet",directed by Yuri Butusov. Konstantin also made appearances on stage at the St. Petersburg Theatre of Lensovet in the leading role in a contemporary play 'V ozhidanii Godo', and as Kaligula in a Russian adaptation of the play by Albert Camus.

Outside of his acting profession, Konstantin Khabenskiy enjoys a Russian-style rural life in his country home near Moscow. He moved back to Russia after a few years of living in Los Angeles. He was married to radio-journalist Anastasiya Khabenskaya from January 12, 2000, until her untimely death at age 35 from a brain tumor on December 3, 2008. He has one son by her, Ivan Konstantinovich, who was born in Moscow on September 25, 2007. In 2013 he married actress Olga Litvinova and June 3, 2016 she gave birth to their daughter.

Konstantin Khabenskiy was designated Honorable Actor of Russia (2006) and also received numerous awards and decorations for his works on stage and in the movies. He has homes in both Russian capitals: Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Born in 7 October 1952 is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has been serving as the president of Russia since 2012, and previously between 2000 and 2008. He also served as the prime minister of Russia from 1999 to 2000, and again from 2008 to 2012.

Putin worked as a KGB foreign intelligence officer for 16 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel (podpolkovnik), before resigning in 1991 to begin a political career in Saint Petersburg. He moved to Moscow in 1996 to join the administration of president Boris Yeltsin. He briefly served as director of the Federal Security Service (FSB) and secretary of the Security Council, before being appointed as prime minister in August 1999. After the resignation of Yeltsin, Putin became acting president and, less than four months later, was elected outright to his first term as president. He was reelected in 2004. As he was constitutionally limited to two consecutive terms as president at the time, Putin served as prime minister again from 2008 to 2012 under Dmitry Medvedev. He returned to the presidency in 2012 in an election marred by allegations of fraud and protests and was reelected in 2018. In April 2021, following a referendum, he signed into law constitutional amendments including one that would allow him to run for reelection twice more, potentially extending his presidency to 2036.

During his first tenure as president, the Russian economy grew on average by seven percent per year, following economic reforms and a fivefold increase in the price of oil and gas. He also led Russia during a war against Chechen separatists, reestablishing federal control of the region. As prime minister under Medvedev, he oversaw military reform and police reform, as well as Russia's victory in its war against Georgia. During his third term as president, Russia annexed Crimea and sponsored a war in eastern Ukraine with several military incursions made, resulting in international sanctions and a financial crisis in Russia. He also ordered a military intervention in Syria against rebel and jihadist groups.[16] During his fourth term as president, he presided over a military buildup on the border of Ukraine. Putin accused the Ukrainian government of committing atrocities against its Russian-speaking minority, and in February 2022, he ordered a full-scale invasion of the country, resulting in numerous atrocities and leading to widespread international condemnation, as well as expanded sanctions and calls for Putin to be pursued with war crime charges.

Under Putin's leadership, Russia has experienced democratic backsliding and a shift to authoritarianism. Putin's rule has been characterised by endemic corruption, the jailing and repression of political opponents, the intimidation and suppression of independent media in Russia, and a lack of free and fair elections. Putin's Russia has scored poorly on Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, the Economist Intelligence Unit's Democracy Index, and Freedom House's Freedom in the World index. Putin is the second-longest currently serving European president after Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus.

Victoria Chalaya was born on 14 October 1982 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. She is an actress, known for Her Knight (2003), Aces 'N' Eights (2008) and I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007).

Dmitri Nagiev - a talented actor and one of the most popular show-business figures in Russia. In 1991 graduated from the Leningrad State University of Theatre, Music and Cinematography. After obligatory military service he worked in the theatre "Vremya", then he was a "Radio Modern" DJ. Best known for his numerous roles in the popular comedy-show "Modern Ostorozhno" (nominated at International Emmy Award for best comedy-show) and none the less popular TV-series "Modern Ostorozhno - 2!", in which he co-starred with his only show-mate and friend Sergey Rost (who writes many of their series-scripts). He also plays on theatre stage and directs his own theatre projects. In 1996 he was called "The most popular person of Saint-Petersburg". Was called "The Best Russian DJ". In Russia he's considered a sex-symbol since his first roles in "Modern".

Lyudmila Savelyeva is a Russian actress known as Natasha Rostova in epic film War and Peace (1965), a powerful adaptation of the eponymous masterpiece by Lev Tolstoy.

She was born Lyudmila Mikhailovna Savelyeva on 24 January 1942, in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), while the city suffered the heroic Siege of Leningrad during WWII. From 1950 to 1962 she studied acting and ballet at the prestigious Vaganovoy Academy of Russian Ballet, graduating in 1962 as ballerina. That same year she became member of the Kirov Ballet at Mariinsky Theatre in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). She made her film debut in Sleeping beauty (1964).

Savelyeva shot to fame as Natasha Rostova in epic film War and Peace (1965) by director Sergey Bondarchuk. The eight-hour epic became the most expensive film ever made, War and Peace (1965) was produced over seven years, from 1961 to 1968, at an estimated cost of $100,000,000 (about one billion dollars adjusted for inflation in 2010). The film set several records, such as involving over three hundred professional actors from several countries and also tens of thousands extras from the Red Army in filming of the two-hour-long episode about the historic Battle of Borodino against the Napoleon's invasion, making it the largest battle scene ever filmed.

Savelyeva's natural beauty and effortless style won her numerous accolades form international critics. She was chosen by the Soviet Union's communist government to represent the country at various film festivals across the world. In 1969, Savelyeva was sent to the Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood to represent War and Peace (1965) which won the 1969 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. A few days later, when Savelyeva brought the Oscar back to Moscow, she was met by members of the Soviet government who took the Oscar away from the filmmakers.

After co-starring in a few less successful movies, Savelyeva disappeared form public view during the 90s. She re-emerged after a ten-year hiatus appearing in Nezhnyy vozrast (2000) and later appeared as Countess Scherbatskaya in _"Anna Karenina" (2009 TV mini-series)_.

Outside of her acting career, Lyudmila Savelyeva is known as a collector of rare books, having amassed a significant private library. She has been married to fellow actor Aleksandr Zbruev, and the couple is living in Moscow, Russia.

Karina Razumovskaya was born in St.Petersburg, Russia (ex Leningrad, USSR). Karina had her first taste of filming at age 5 when she joined the 'Tormozhenie v nebesakh' movie for an episode. Later, she began her professional training as a student at St.Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy. Graduating in 2004, Karina became a member of the troupe at the Russian State Academic Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater.

Alla Osipenko was born in Leningrad, U.S.S.R. in 1932. She studied for Agrippina Vaganova in Leningrad. Alla graduated in 1950 and was immediately accepted at the Kirov Ballet as a soloist. She was Nureyev's partner, until he defected, and then also Barishnikov's. She began teaching at the Vaganova School in 1966.

Baganov came to acting via a somewhat circuitous route. Born in Leningrad, USSR (now St. Petersburg, Russia), he attended Leningrad State University, where he studied astronomy for 4 years. After that - it must have been in his stars - he entered the State Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography, and four years later graduated with a degree in acting. After that, Baganov was hired by the State Theater Lencom in Leningrad and later worked in yet another state theater, the Kommisarzevskiy. A few years later, he left the theater in order to do films and television work in various cities of the USSR, including Moscow, Odessa, Sverdlovsk, Kiev, Leningrad/St. Petersburg, and so on. Baganov went to the United States in 1991, and has lived and worked there ever since.

Ivan Shvedoff was born on 21 September 1969 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He is an actor and producer, known for Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011), Babylon Berlin (2017) and Enemy at the Gates (2001). He has been married to Marina since 2000.

Alisa Brunovna Freindlikh was born on December 8, 1934, in Leningrad, USSR (now St. Petersburg, Russia). Her father, named Bruno Frejndlikh, was a notable actor. Alisa Freindlikh graduated from Leningrad Institute of Theatre, Music, and Cinematography in 1957.

From 1961-1983 Alisa Freindlikh was a permanent member of the Leningrad Theatre of Lensovet under directorship of her husband Igor Vladimirov. She was the leading star of that theatre and her stage partners were such actors as Georgi Zhzhyonov, Aleksey Petrenko, Sergey Migitsko, Anatoliy Ravikovich, Mikhail Devyatkin, Mikhail Boyarskiy, Larisa Luppian, Galina Nikulina, Vera Ulik, Leonid Dyachkov, Valeri Kuzin, Yefim Kamenetsky, Leila Kirakosian, Aleksandr Estrin, Petr Shelokhonov, and other notable Russian actors.

Alisa Freindlikh made a stellar film career in collaboration with director Eldar Ryazanov. She also brilliantly played a supporting role in A Cruel Romance (1984), a Ryazanov's adaptation of the 19th century story by Aleksandr Ostrovskiy. In 1983 Alisa Freindlikh was designated the People's Artist of the USSR. That same year she divorced from her husband Igor Vladimirov, and soon left the Theatre of Lensovet.

Since 1984 Alisa Freindlikh has been a permanent member of Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT) in St. Petersburg (Leningrad) under directorship of Georgi Tovstonogov. There her stage partners were such stars as Kirill Lavrov, Oleg Basilashvili, Lyudmila Makarova, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Zinaida Sharko, Valentina Kovel, Sergey Yurskiy, Nikolay Trofimov, Vladislav Strzhelchik, Evgeniy Lebedev, Georgiy Shtil, Vsevolod Kuznetsov, Vadim Medvedev, Yuriy Demich, Leonid Nevedomsky, Gennadiy Bogachyov, Andrey Tolubeev, and many other notable Russian actors.

In 2004, on her 70th birthday, Alisa Freindlikh was visited in her home by the Russian president Vladimir Putin. She was decorated for her achievements as an actress in film and theatre. Alisa Freindlikh is residing in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Tatiana Samoilova (Tatyana Samojlova) is a Russian film actress known for the leading roles in The Cranes Are Flying (1957) and Anna Karenina (1967).

She was born Tatiana Evgenievna Samoilova on May 4, 1934, in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia. Her father, Evgeniy Samoylov, was a notable Russian actor, Her mother, Zinaida Ilyinichna, was Jewish. Young Samojlova studied music under the tutelage of her mother. During the Second World War, she escaped from the siege of Leningrad with her parents, and moved to Moscow. There she studied ballet and graduated from the Ballet School of Stanislavsky Theatre. She was invited by Maya Plisetskaya to join the ballet school of Bolshoi Theatre, but she chose to be a dramatic actress. From 1953-1956 she studied at Shchukin Theatrical School, then at State Institute of Theatrical Art (GITIS), graduating in 1962, as actress. While a student, Samojlova made her film debut in Meksikanets (1955).

Samojlova shot to fame with the leading role as Veronika in Letyat Zhuravli (The Cranes are Flying 1957) by director Mikhail Kalatozov. In spite of the initial cold reception by the Soviet officialdom, the film was loved by public in Russia and internationally. It became the first and only Russian film to be awarded the Golden Palm at the Cannes Film Festival in 1958. Samojlova won a Special Mention at Cannes and was nominated for Best Foreign Actress BAFTA Film Award in 1959. She received many offers internationally, and was invited to work in Hollywood, but the Soviet government forced her to decline any jobs outside the Soviet Union.

During the 60s, her career stagnated due to overall stagnation in the USSR under Leonid Brezhnev. In 1960 Samojlova lost her job with Mayakovsky Theatre in Moscow, and was practically unemployed for several years. Her next success came with the title role in Anna Karenina (1967), an adaptation of the eponymous novel by Lev Tolstoy by director Aleksandr Zarkhi. Samojlova starred as Anna Karenina opposite her ex-husband Vasiliy Lanovoy.

During the 80s and 90s, Tatiana Samojlova had a lengthy pause in her film career. She made a comeback in several TV series in the 2000s. She was married four times, and has one son. Samojlova was designated People's Actress of Russia (1993). She is living in Moscow, Russia.

Palina Rojinski is a Russian-German television presenter, actress, and DJ known for her dynamic presence in the German entertainment industry. She began her career co-hosting "MTV Home" on MTV Germany from 2009 to 2011 and later hosted various music programs on VIVA Germany. Rojinski has also appeared in films such as "Welcome to Germany" (2016) and "Nightlife" (2020). In addition to her television and film work, she performs as a DJ under the name "Palina Power" and has ventured into fashion with her astrology-themed label, "Astrolinski." Rojinski resides in Berlin with her two French Bulldogs and has a deep interest in astrology, which inspired her to author the book "Folge deinen Sternen."

Alexander was born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Acting was a passion and a dream from a very young age. After graduating from Saint Petersburg University with an engineering degree and no formal education in acting, Alexander participated in two films. The dream of becoming an actor brought Alexander to United States in 1992 where he received a formal training in acting at "Act One of Chicago". Post training in 1994 Alexander's was making his way though independent cinema. In 1995 he became the SAG member.

His first big debut was in the "Brat-2" movie ("Brother-2"), filmed in Chicago, 1999 by a renowned Russian movie director. This movie still remains one of the the most watched films up to date.

Alexander has played in 70+ movies/TV series being one of the most well recognized and known among the celebrity actors in Russia. He has extensive experience working on drama, historical, and action films in Russia, USA, England, Finland and India.

From 2012 in addition to acting, Alexander dedicates a great share of his time to the music industry and is working on "ANTIGO" project, that is becoming increasingly popular in Russia.

Darya Moroz was born on 1 September 1983 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. She is an actress and producer, known for The Fool (2014), Live and Remember (2008) and Tochka (2006).

Lenn Kudrjawizkis family moved with him as a child from Leningrad (USSR) to East Berlin. At the age of four, Lenn auditioned on the stage with the Leningrad State Ballet. At five, he became enchanted with a violin that his father brought down from the attic of the family home. This was to play an important part in his life. Later he attended a secondary school for music in Berlin where he studied acting, voice, and violin. In Dresden he refined his skills on the violin and graduated with a Master of Arts in Music in 2003. In 1994 Lenn made his television debut as a teenager with the role of Wladimir in the film Katrin and Wladimir. Jean-Jacques Annaud's Duel - Enemy at the Gates followed, as well as Alain Gsponer's feature film Kiki & Tiger. From 2001 to 2006 Lenn was a series regular in the highly acclaimed RTL series Abschnitt 40. Since, he was performing in more than 50 TV and feature film productions, including Pope Joan, The Counterfeiters - 2008 Oscar winner for best foreign-language film -, Paramount Pictures' Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, directed by Kenneth Branagh and most recently The Transporter Refueled - written and produced by Luc Besson. Since 2016 Lenn is back as a detective in the Kroatien Krimi for ARD (national German Television).

Lenn was giving his directors debut in 2007 with the short film Today Is My Day. His second work as a director and writer was Thank You Mr. President (2009), that successfully toured international festivals and has won the renowned award Murnaupreis.

In 2014, Lenn filmed his third short film Business As Usual - The Prophet on board, for which he received the Amnesty International Human Rights Award. In addition to this, he founded the world wide first sustained orchestra "The Berlin Show Orchestra" with his company Legrain Productions and is committed to the sustainability concept for CO2 reduction.

Lenn is member of the German Film Academy.

Sergey Shnurov was born on 13 April 1973 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He is a composer and actor, known for Bumer (2003), Night Watch (2004) and Day Watch (2006). He has been married to Elena Mozgovaya since 2010. He was previously married to Svetlana Kostitsyna and Mariya Ismagilova.

Sofya was born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Russia. She studied ballet at age 9 while attending the elite Vaganova Ballet Academy. From ages 10-12, Sofya studied modern dance then returned to classical ballet from ages 13-16. At 17, Sofya became a professional ballerina where she was discovered by talent agents. She won many beauty contests and competitions and starred on the talk show circuit. She opened the Venice Ball in Moscow where she met her future husband, Russian industrialist Sergey Veremeenko. They married quickly, and at age 18, Sofya entered the Mrs. World pageant in St. Petersburg, Russia, and won the title.

The international media quickly discovered her and suggested that she learn English and head to Hollywood, where she began landing TV roles and quickly moved to the big screen.

Viktor Tsoy was born on 21 June 1962 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He was a composer and actor, known for The Needle (1988), Kraven the Hunter (2024) and Cargo 200 (2007). He was married to Marianna Tsoi. He died on 15 August 1990 in Tukums, Latvian SSR, USSR [now Latvia].

Having moved from St. Petersburg, Russia, at the age of nine, Sasha Andreev spent his childhood in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he became involved in local theater productions before moving to New York City to attend Stuyvesant High School. He continued to pursue acting at Vassar College, in addition to training at the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill (I) Theater Center and the Moscow Art Theater.

Upon graduating with a BA in Drama, Sasha was accepted to spend a year at the Actors Theatre of Louisville as part of the 2003-04 Apprentice Company, where he appeared in the acclaimed Humana Festival of New American Plays.

As an actor, Sasha has starred in a number of independent features, including "Phasma Ex Machina," "How You Look to Me" (with Frank Langella) and the "Hagstone Demon" (with cult horror icon Mark Borchardt). He also remains active on stage, having performed at such renowned theaters as the Guthrie and Theatre de la Jeune Lune, and was named "Outstanding New Face in Theater" by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Aside from numerous commercials, Sasha is a recognizable face to HGTV viewers as the "Trash to Treasure" guy on the long-running show Decorating Cents (1997), and as the host of the popular exterior renovation series Curb Appeal (1999).

Vladimir Garin was born on 25 January 1987 in Leningrad, RSFSR, USSR [now St. Petersburg, Russia]. He was an actor, known for The Return (2003). He died on 24 June 2003 in St. Petersburg, Russia.