“He was a hero of his time”: how Leonid Kuravlyov will be remembered

People's Artist of Russia Leonid Kuravlyov died in Moscow at the age of 85.

According to the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation, he died after a serious illness.

In January 2022, the actor was treated for pneumonia at City Clinical Hospital No. 40 in Kommunarka.

His coronavirus tests were negative.

Condolences in connection with the death of Leonid Kuravlyov are expressed by his colleagues in the shop.

According to the Minister of Culture of Russia Olga Lyubimova, the artist was able to conquer millions of spectators with his game.

She emphasized that a whole era of national cinema is associated with the name of the actor, and also conveyed condolences to Kuravlev's family and friends.

“A wonderful actor, a man of exceptional talent and incredible creative energy, has passed away,” said Lyubimova.

Theater and film actor Alexander Lykov, in an interview with RT, said that Kuravlev had a special charm, simplicity and cordiality.

“I constantly remember some episodes in which he worked, and these were iconic films, for example, “Afonya”, “Golden Calf”, “There Lived Such a Guy” ... He was a hero of his time, which was very important.

This is a rather rare quality, but it was present in him, ”Lykov said.

The first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture, actress Elena Drapeko, stressed that Kuravlyov's death was a loss for Russian cinema and the entire national culture.

They starred together in the comedy Live in Joy.

“I was a very young artist, and he was already a star.

I am infinitely grateful to him for the fact that he supported me very much, ”said Drapeko.

Russian theater and film actor, Honored Artist of Russia Sergei Selin stressed that Kuravlyov was diverse in his roles.

“One of the most brilliant artists of our cinema and our time has died.

The whole country has lost a man who gave us joy.

All his paintings are unique, he was diverse everywhere, in all roles, ”the actor shared his opinion.

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The director and general director of Mosfilm Karen Shakhnazarov called the death of Leonid Kuravlyov a great loss.

At one time, the actor played a role in the film “We are from Jazz”, and also played in the film “Ladies Invite Cavaliers”, for which Karen Shakhnazarov wrote the script.

“A huge loss for all of us.

Leonid was a talented and charming man.

I was lucky to work with him, he played for me.

In every sense, an extraordinary person, with wonderful human qualities, ”the director said in an interview with TASS.

In turn, director Vladimir Fokin noted the uniqueness and talent of Kuravlev, calling his death terrible news.

“This is an absolutely unique actor, absolutely piecework, which is called with a “non-general expression on his face”, a person in whom Vasily Makarovich Shukshin instantly discerned his hero in terms of the degree of organics, the accuracy of existence, a sense of artistic and life truth,” Fokin said.

Leonid Kuravlev was born on October 8, 1936 in Moscow in the family of a locksmith and a hairdresser. For several years he lived in the Murmansk region, where he went to a local school. In 1955, Kuravlev entered the acting department of VGIK. The artist first appeared in films back in his student years - he played a role in the course work of Andrei Tarkovsky and Alexander Gordon "There will be no dismissal today." The first feature film in Kuravlyov's acting career was Mikhail Schweitzer's Midshipman Panin.

In 1960, Kuravlyov graduated from VGIK, in the same year he was accepted into the troupe of the Theater-Studio of the film actor (now the Center for Theater and Cinema under the direction of Nikita Mikhalkov). The artist served there until 1992. Kuravlyov began to gain fame after the release of Vasily Shukshin’s film “Such a Guy Lives”, in which he played the main role. The film was presented at the Venice Film Festival. In addition, Kuravlyov and Shukshin met on the set of the films "Men's Conversation" and "When the Trees Were Big".

Leonid Kuravlyov is well known for his comedic roles.

In particular, the artist played Georges Miloslavsky in Leonid Gaidai's film "Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession".

Another important picture was the work of George Danelia "Afonya" (1975).

Also, the artist could be seen in the comedies "The Golden Calf", "It Can't Be!"

and Mimino.

Many viewers could remember him as a simpleton, from whom Kuravlyov wanted to move away.

In 1973, Tatyana Lioznova's series Seventeen Moments of Spring was released, in which Kuravlyov played the dramatic role of Obersturmbannführer Eisman.

However, critics did not appreciate the new image of the actor.

In 1977, Leonid Kuravlev received the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR.

He was also awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree, and the Badge of Honor.

For a long creative life, the artist starred in about 230 films and TV shows.

Since the 2010s, Kuravlyov has rarely appeared on screen.

Among his recent works is a minor role in the film All This Jam (2015).

According to preliminary information, Kuravlev's funeral will take place on February 1 at the Troekurovsky cemetery in Moscow.

“Leonid Kuravlyov never made a deal with his own conscience in his professional activities and was extremely careful in choosing his on-screen heroes, tried not to play in a bad movie for the sake of box office.

This is probably why films with his participation are for all time, for centuries.

They were watched, watched and will be watched by generations, ”the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation emphasized.