Образ веселого, добродушного и забавного Федора from the comedy “The Adventures of Shurik” by Gaidai has been familiar to many since childhood. But few people know about the difficult life and tragic fate of the performer of this role. Subject material - actor Alexei Smirnov.
Stage talent
Born beloved artist February 28, 1920.In the family, except for him, was the younger brother Arkady. When the boys were small, the parents moved to Petersburg. Children grew up there. Dad died young. Mother raised sons. She was a strong and confident woman. Fearing that she would not cope with her duties and would not be able to raise good young men, the widow even rarely let out the boys into the courtyard.
The first roles of Alexei Smirnov were still in school.The talent of the actor manifested itself quite early. He actively participated in the amateur class. Therefore, a handsome, young and energetic guy without hesitation was accepted into the drama school. There, the young man declared himself as a successful student. In 1940 he was accepted to the Leningrad Theater of Musical Comedy, where he took courses. Interestingly, the actor had no hearing.
He managed to play only one role when he was drafted into the army. Subsequently, the Great Patriotic War thundered. The young man immediately signed up as a volunteer.
Then the artist left his beloved girl, whom he promised to marry immediately upon returning home.
Sole of company
On the front, as on the stage, Alexey MakarovichSmirnov was a real star. He was different from other soldiers with a good sense of humor and ability to cheer. Often a man refused to carry out orders of higher ranks. But the actor's disobedience was forgiven.
Another achievement of the artist - concerts, whichhe himself set for his comrades at the front. Alexey played the main roles and acted as a director. The evenings he organized became a consolation for many soldiers. Most of all, the military liked the production of “The Wedding in Malinovka”, where later, ironically, the actor Alexei Smirnov played one of the brightest roles.
In battle, the man was distinguished by extraordinary courage. He skillfully destroyed the enemy technique, captured the Germans and repeatedly saved his brothers from certain death.
For his dedication to the motherland, Alexey was awarded many medals. He was awarded the Order of Glory I and II degrees. The title of Hero of the Union prevented a concussion.
Terrible news
Returning from the hospital, the first thing that didman, - broke up with his lover, who was waiting for him. Then nobody could explain such an act of a soldier. And only many years later it became known that Alexey Smirnov had become barren after an injury at the front. The biography of a cheerful and kind artist was in fact very sad.
On the military exploits of the actor almost no oneknew. It should be noted that the man did not maintain ties with colleagues. Although Alexey was annually invited to meetings and repeatedly wrote to him, he avoided the friends of the regiment. Moreover, he never told his colleagues in the shooting shop about the years spent at the front. Familiar actor sure that the reason for such action lies in the fact that any memories of the war was extremely painful for the vulnerable soul of a soldier.
Despite this, in those rare moments when Alexey Makarovich Smirnov was talking about the front, his stories were filled with humor and joy.
Main woman
Throughout his life, the artist considered himself veryugly person. I thought that no one would like tall stature and asymmetrical face. He knew that he could not have children, and therefore did not try to have a serious relationship with the young ladies. He was often seen on the set surrounded by a company of women. But the man has never been alone with them.
The only woman of his life was his mother.Strong and healthy, she escorted him to the war. But in 1941 the younger brother Arkady died at the front. This tragedy broke the woman. Her mental health was impaired. Therefore, the actor Alexei Smirnov was forced to care for the unfortunate.
After the war he settled in his old littlecommunal with mother. Because of his modesty, the artist, even when he became popular (plus taking into account combat achievements), failed to achieve a separate apartment.
Bitter glory
After the war he worked in the theater.Due to illness, the mother refused to tour and lucrative offers. However, very soon his textured face liked the filmmakers. At first the man was invited to play episodic comic roles. The first screen work was the picture "Baltic Glory" in 1957. Next to the artist one after another showered sentences.
At first, only Alexey played humorous roles.Smirnov. The films Striped Flight, Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka, Operation Y, Aibolit-66 became hits. After these roles, the man was recognized on the streets.
However, the actor himself dreamed of playing a dramaticcharacter. This opportunity was given by Leonid Bykov - Comrade Alexei, the director and the main character of the film "Only Old Men" Go to Battle. Many critics and viewers have noticed that these men did not play friendship in front of the camera.
Warm feelings for each other they carried throughtime. Therefore, the death of Bykov in April 1979, very shaken the health of Smirnov. When he was subsequently taken to the hospital, the doctors found several other serious illnesses. May 7 of the same year, the actor had to write out. However, that night the man had a heart attack. At the funeral of the great artist came very few people.
Unknown hero
Children especially loved this kind person.They ran after him a herd, and he spent hours playing with them. Another of his talents was wood carving. On almost every kid, Alexey, on occasion, presented some funny figure. He took part of his work to an orphanage. There, the actor drew attention to a single closed boy, and even wanted to arrange custody for him. However, the authorities did not allow Smirnov to become a father.
In real life, Alex was far from the imageclown and slow-witted. He read a lot, had a serious library. At the same time he collected insects and reptiles, which he collected on tour in different parts of the Union. There were many icons in his room. Quite often quoted Japanese poetry.
The man outside the scene was very simple to dress.Usually wore tracksuits. Actor Alexei Smirnov never suffered from stellar disease. Without hesitation, he spoke to strangers on the street and greeted everyone who recognized him. He was a really great man with a big soul.
