Died Soviet and Russian actress Inna Churikova.

This was announced by the director of the Moscow State Theater "Lenkom Mark Zakharov" Mark Varshaver.

According to him, the artist died in the hospital after a long illness.

“Inna Mikhailovna Churikova passed away, it happened half an hour ago in the hospital,” he said.

Varshaver also added that due to the death of the artist, Lenkom cancels performances on January 14 and 17.

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin sent condolences to the family and friends of Churikova.

“The death of Inna Mikhailovna Churikova, a great, popularly beloved actress, is a huge loss for all of us.

Her outstanding works both on the stage of Lenkom and in cinema are an example of true art, inspiration, and enormous dedication, ”the text of the telegram says.

Cultural and political figures also express their condolences.

The head of the Ministry of Culture, Olga Lyubimova, sent a telegram to the family of the actress, in which she noted that the death of Churikova was an irreparable loss for millions of people "who sincerely loved her work."

“Bright, incredibly talented and charismatic, her multifaceted work has rightfully won unquestioned recognition among her colleagues.

Her unique skill and charm captivated everyone who has ever seen her on stage or on the screen, ”RIA Novosti quotes Lyubimova.

Actor Alexander Mikhailov, in an interview with RT, said that he had lost a good friend and an amazing partner.

“We were good friends, this is an amazing partner.

This is a talented person not only in cinema, but also on television - and of course, in the theater.

She was easy to work with.

For me, this is a big loss, ”Mikhailov emphasized.

Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin noted that Churikova made a huge contribution to the development of Russian art and left a mark on the hearts of millions of viewers.

“The incomparable Inna Mikhailovna not only played each role, but lived, putting her soul into the heroines.

With extraordinary talent, she created on the stage of Lenkom and the movie screen a bright gallery of a variety of images - lyrical, dramatic, comedic, tragic, ”Sobyanin wrote in his Telegram channel.

Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Elena Drapeko, in an interview with RT, expressed the opinion that anyone who saw the work of Churikova will never be able to forget them.

“This is very sad news.

I think that today millions of our fellow citizens will remember everything that Inna Churikova did for each of us.

Unforgettable movie roles, her wonderful voice.

Everyone who saw her performances in the theater will never forget this.

Of course, this is a very bitter loss for our national culture,” Drapeko emphasized.

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Russian director Karen Shakhnazarov, in an interview with Gazeta.Ru, noted that Inna Churikova belonged to a "rare breed" of great actors and created "truly deep human images."

“I had the honor of working with her on the film Courier, and for me this is one of the most vivid memories of my life.

I express my condolences to the family of Inna Mikhailovna and all the spectators.

This is a real loss that cannot be replaced by anything,” Shakhnazarov said.

Director Svetlana Druzhinina considers Churikova's death a huge loss for the theater and Russian culture, but the legacy of the actress will remain a classic "to be known and studied."

“An absolutely amazing personality has passed away, such a powerful personality with a huge amplitude of feelings, experiences, thoughts.

Inna Churikova was such a unique, brilliant and only actress, ”RIA Novosti quotes Druzhinina as saying.

Inna Mikhailovna Churikova was born on October 5, 1943 in the city of Belebey.

In the early 1950s, she and her mother moved to Moscow, where during her school years she began to study at the studio at the Moscow Drama Theater named after K.S.

Stanislavsky (since 2015 - Stanislavsky Electrotheatre).

In 1965, Churikova graduated from the Higher Theater School.

Shchepkin (now - the Higher Theater School (Institute) named after M.S. Shchepkin at the State Academic Maly Theater of Russia).

Until 1968 she served at the Moscow Theater for Young Spectators.

In 1975, she began working at the Moscow State Lenkom Theatre, where she played dozens of roles in various productions.

In the movie, the actress made her debut in 1961, playing the role of Rayka in Vasily Ordynsky's film Clouds over Borsk.

In total, Churikova’s filmography includes more than 50 film and television works, including Georgy Danelia’s I’m Walking in Moscow, Edmond Keosayan’s The Elusive Avengers, Mark Zakharov’s The Same Munchausen, Alexander Row’s Morozko, Karen Shakhnazarov’s Courier and many others.

During her career, the actress was awarded dozens of awards, prizes and titles, including the title of "People's Artist of the USSR" (1991), State Prizes of the RSFSR and the Russian Federation (1985, 1997) and others.

Inna Churikova was a full holder of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland.

Farewell to the artist will take place on Tuesday, January 17, at the Lenkom Theater.