People's Artist of Russia Valery Garkalin died in Moscow at the age of 68.

In early October, he was hospitalized with a coronavirus infection at a hospital in Kommunarka.

Soon there were reports of the deteriorating condition of the actor.

He was transferred to intensive care and connected to a ventilator.

Then the actor's representative Natalya Teplova noted that doctors assess the actor's condition as "severe, but stable."

According to her, Garkalin continued to lead an active life during the pandemic - he attended filming, toured, taught.

Therefore, according to Teplova, he could have contracted the coronavirus "anywhere."

The media, citing sources, reported that the artist was diagnosed with 85% damage to the right lung and 75% to the left.

For some time, the actor's condition remained steadily grave, but on October 23, REN TV reported that Garkalin developed sepsis and was reintroduced into an artificial coma.

Teplova, in a conversation with the Zvezda TV channel, denied this information.

In early November, the media reported that Valery Garkalin was urgently operated on, but these data were also left without confirmation.

On November 20, the artist died.

According to kp.ru, the cause of the death of the actor was multiple organ failure, sepsis and septic shock against the background of COVID-19.

Friends and colleagues of the artist express condolences to his loved ones.

According to the rector of the Russian Institute of Theater Arts (GITIS) Grigory Zaslavsky, Garkalin was not only an outstanding, but a favorite actor.

“And it’s not only about the film“ Shirley-Myrli ”, which, regardless of any of today's new broadcasts and programs, is also one of my favorite films for me.

I know him, our whole family speaks with lines from these films.

And Garkalin was probably one, perhaps the only one, of those who could play it so that it became loved, ”Zaslavsky said in an interview with TASS.

He also noted the theatrical works of the artist and stressed that he was an excellent teacher.

“He was an outstanding, great theater teacher because he knew how to find talent and grow it.

Of course, it is simply impossible to imagine how we will survive now.

The second course - he recruited it during a pandemic, when there were all these restrictions.

I came to him to audition.

He was not a wedding general, he did not come to classes for his course on holidays.

For him, it was some very important part of life - pedagogy.

And that was also his calling, ”concluded Zaslavsky.

The press service of GITIS, where Garkalin taught at the department of pop art for more than 20 years, stressed that he had a sparkling sense of humor and amazing charisma: “The artist approached any business with incredible optimism.

The master taught this to his students as well.

He was a teacher and friend who knew how to see and reveal talent. "

People's Artist of Russia Yuri Chernov spoke about his experience of working with an actor.

“An amazing artist, versatile ... I starred with Valera in“ Shirley-Myrli ”, in the TV series“ Svatya ”.

I remember now how amazing it was ... You can talk for a long time about his talent, about his human qualities, charm, audience love for him and his love for the audience, "Izvestia quotes Chernov.

In turn, the actor and director of theater and cinema Andrei Sokolov, in an interview with RT, noted that he did not get to work with Garkalin.

“I am stunned by this news.

Very sorry.

Such actors are extremely rare, with his diverse palette of talents and love of life.

I don't even know what else to say, there are simply no words, ”Sokolov said.

People's Artist of Russia Valery Afanasyev also expressed his condolences: “Unfortunately, I saw Valera for a long time ... He is a very wonderful person.

A bright, wonderful person.

And very talented.

Rest in peace.

And condolences to the family. "

According to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the loss of such a characteristic and charismatic actor is irreparable for Russian theater and cinema.

“A bright, multifaceted and talented person, Valery Borisovich has written many pages in the history of Russian cinema and theater.

He had a special gift ... He generously shared his knowledge and experience with students, aspiring actors, for many years teaching at the country's leading theater universities.

Particles of boundless talent and a very kind soul will forever remain with his students, ”said Mishustin.

Farewell to Valery Garkalin will be held on Tuesday, November 23, at the educational theater of GITIS.

Actor and teacher


Valery Garkalin was born in Moscow on April 11, 1954.

In 1978 he graduated from the Faculty of Puppetry in Gnesinka, then worked at the People and Dolls RV and the State Puppet Theater under the direction of Sergei Obraztsov. 

In the 1980s, Garkalin entered GITIS on the course of Vyacheslav Shalevich.

Served at the Moscow Academic Theater of Satire.

He also performed at the Chelovek theater-studio and the Pushkin Moscow Drama Theater.

Among the productions in which the artist took part are The Inspector General, The Taming of the Shrew, The Threepenny Opera and others.

Cinema brought Garkalin wide popularity.

The actor made his screen debut in the drama Katala by Sergei Bodrov Sr. and Alexander Buravsky in 1989.

Then Valery Garkalin played in such films as "White Clothes" (1992), "Poor Sasha" (1997), "Silver Lily of the Valley" (2000).

Among his most striking characters are the twin brothers in Vladimir Menshov's comedy-farce "Shirley-Myrli" (1995).

Valery Garkalin taught at GITIS, directed the workshop of the Variety Faculty.

He was also a member of the Union of Theater Workers of Russia.

In 2000 he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Russia, and in 2008 - People's Artist. 

In 2019, director Georgy Ananov made a documentary about his life and work “Valery Garkalin.

I am a sinner, I repent ... ".