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Vyacheslav Tikhonov

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In this name that follows Eastern Slavic naming customs, the patronymic is Vasilyevich and the family name is Tikhonov.

Vyacheslav Tikhonov
Вячеслав Тихонов
Tikhonov in 1998
Born
Vyacheslav Vasilyevich Tikhonov

(1928-02-08)8 February 1928
Pavlovsky Posad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Died4 December 2009(2009-12-04) (aged 81)
Moscow, Russia
Resting placeNovodevichy Cemetery, Moscow
OccupationActor
Years active1948–2009
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m. 1948; div. 1963)​
  • Tamara Tikhonova
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1968)​
Children2
Vyacheslav Tikhonov (front row, seated between Yuri Gagarin and Valentina Tereshkova) appears on a Soviet New Year TV show in 1963.
Vyacheslav Tikhonov's grave

Vyacheslav Vasilyevich Tikhonov (Russian: Вячеслав Васильевич Тихонов; 8 February 1928 – 4 December 2009) was a Soviet and Russian actor whose best known role was as Soviet spy Stierlitz in the television series Seventeen Moments of Spring. He was a recipient of numerous state awards, including the titles of People's Artist of the USSR (1974) and Hero of Socialist Labour (1982).[1]

Biography

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Tikhonov was born in Pavlovsky Posad near Moscow. His mother was a kindergarten teacher and his father an engineer in the local textile factory.[2] Vyacheslav dreamed of acting but his parents envisioned a different career, and during the war he worked in a munitions factory.[2] After employment as a metal worker, he began [training for an] acting career in 1945 by entering, not without difficulty, the Actors’ Faculty of VGIK. After graduating VGIK with honours in 1950, he began his acting career on stage of Theatre Studio of Film Actor, where he worked for six years.

In 1948, he married Nonna Mordyukova, a popular actress at the time. The couple had one son, Vladimir,[3] also an actor, who died in 1990. The marriage was dissolved in 1963.[4] Later, Tikhonov married a second time to Tamara Ivanovna Tikhonova and had one child with her, Anna Tikhonova,[5] also an actor, in 1969.[6]

He died on 4 December 2009 in Moscow, Russia. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his condolences to Tikhonov's family.

Career

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Tikhonov made his film debut in 1948. For the next few years, he appeared in relatively low-profile films and at the Film Actors' Studio Theatre in Smolensk.[2]

Tikhonov became more well known with the release of the rural family drama It Happened in Penkovo (1958), which was followed by several wartime dramas: May Stars (1959), set in Prague, and On the Seven Winds (1962), on the Western front.[2] In Yevgeny Tashkov's Thirst (1959), based on real events, Tikhonov, in the first of his spy roles, portrays a scout in an operation to free an Odessa water plant from the Nazis.[2]

In Two Lives (1961) Tikhonov plays the less fortunate of two men who unwittingly meet in France, 40-odd years after fighting on opposite sides of the 1917 Revolution.[2] Rostotsky's We'll Live Till Monday (1968), in which a history teacher plans to defend a student at a disciplinary meeting, earned Tikhonov a state prize.[2] In 1979 Rostotsky made a documentary about his friend, called Profession: Film Actor."[2]

Tikhonov also played Prince Andrei Bolkonski in the Oscar-winning adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace (1968) by Sergei Bondarchuk (who played Bezukhov). But Tikhonov reportedly got the role only at the suggestion of the Minister of Culture when Innokenty Smoktunovsky opted for Kozintsev's Hamlet and Oleg Strizhenov was also unavailable.[2]

In 1973, Tikhonov starred in the role for which he is most known for in the former Soviet republics, when director Tatiana Lioznova chose him over Smoktunovsky to star in an adaptation of Yulian Semyonov's novel Seventeen Moments of Spring[2] as Standartenführer Stierlitz. The 17 moments are 17 days in the spring of 1945 just before the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II and centers around attempts by some of the Soviet Union's men in Germany to thwart secret peace talks between the Nazis and the U.S. and Britain.[7] The film enjoyed enormous popularity among Russian viewers of several generations. Prior to that, however, it had faced the risk of remaining unknown: Mikhail Suslov had opposed the film to go on general release. He had claimed that the film was not showing the feat of the Soviet people in the war. Fortunately, the decision to release the would-be classic film was supported by KGB Chairman Yuri Andropov.[2] Although several of Semyonov's Stierlitz novels were adapted for the screen, Tikhonov did not return, perhaps feeling that the original series was definitive.[2] The role won him the title People's Artist of the USSR, one of a number of awards.[2]

In 1976, Tikhonov rejoined Bondarchuk in an adaptation of Mikhail Sholokhov's They Fought for Their Country.[2] It suited Tikhonov by concentrating on character rather than histrionics and won him another state prize in the year that he finally joined the Communist Party.[2] 1977 saw a change of pace with Rostotsky's Oscar-nominated White Bim the Black Ear, in which Tikhonov played a middle-aged writer who is "adopted" by a non-pedigree setter puppy.[2]

Though he was often typecast as militiamen or spies, there were good roles among them, such as the KGB general in the cold-war thriller TaSS is authorised to announce (1984), another television series based on a Semyonov novel.[2] In later years he was able to display a wider range, including the bishop in Besy, a film version of Dostoyevsky's The Devils (1992) and Charlemagne, in the Ubit Drakona, (To Kill a Dragon, 1998) after Evgeny Shvarts's wartime satire.[2] Shvarts was inspired by Hans Christian Andersen, and Tikhonov appeared in Eldar Ryazanov's fantasy-biography of the Danish fabulist, Andersen: Life Without Love (2006), playing God.[2] On 8 February 2003, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, third degree, to Tikhonov.[8]

Tikhonov appeared in Nikita Mikhalkov's Oscar-winning Burnt By the Sun (1994) and also appeared in the 2010 sequel, which finished shooting before his death.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Russian Title Role Notes
1948 The Young Guard Молодая гвардия Volodya Osmukhin Directed by Sergei Gerasimov
Won the Stalin Prize in 1949
1951 In Peaceful Time В мирные дни sailor Volodya Grinevsky, torpedoman
1951 Taras Shevchenko Тарас Шевченко Representative of the St Petersburg youth
1952 Maximka Максимка Lieutenant Goreilov
1954 This Should Never Be Forgotten Об этом забывать нельзя student Rostaslav Danchenko
1955 Stars On the Wings of an Airplane Звёзды на крыльях pilot Olexa Lavrinets
1956 The Heart is Beating Again Сердце бьётся вновь Leonid V. Golubev
1958 It Happened in Penkovo Дело было в Пенькове Matvey Morozov
1958 E.A. — Extraordinary Accident ЧП. Чрезвычайное происшествие a sailor Viktor Raisky
1959 May Stars Майские звёзды lieutenant Andrew Rukavichkin
1959 Thirst Жажда lieutenant Oleg Bezborodko
1960 Midshipman Panin Мичман Панин Midshipman Basil Panin
1961 Two Lives Две жизни Duke Sergei Nashchekin
1962 Seven Winds На семи ветрах Captain Vyacheslav Suzdalev
1963 Optimistic Tragedy Оптимистическая трагедия Alexei, anarchist-sailor
1965 A Hero of Our Time Герой нашего времени Grigory Alexandrovich Pechorin Voice
1965–1967 War and Peace Война и мир Andrei Nikolayevich Bolkonsky part 1–5
1968 We'll Live Till Monday Доживём до понедельника Ilya Semyonovich Melnikov – History Teacher
1969 Family Happiness Семейное счастье Nikolai Andreyevich Kapitonov, notary
1970 The Roundabout Карусель master of the house
1970 One of us Один из нас spy Keller Voice
1971 Hold on to the clouds Держись за облака Vladimir Sevastiyanov Voice
1972 The Man from the Other Side [sv] Человек с другой стороны Victor Krimov
1971 Yegor Bulychov and Others Егор Булычов и другие parson Pavlin
1974 Pyotr Martynovich and the Years of Great Life' Пётр Мартынович и годы большой жизни cameo
1975 Front Without Flanks Фронт без флангов Major Ivan Petrovich Mlinsky
1975 They Fought for Their Country Они сражались за Родину Nikolay Strel'tsov
1975 Story of a Human Heart Повесть о человеческом сердце (author's text)
1976 ...And Other Officials ... И другие официальные лица Kostantin Pavlovich Ivanov
1977 White Bim Black Ear Белый Бим Черное ухо Ivan Ivanovich (Master)
1977 Front Beyond the Front Line Фронт за линией фронта Colonel Ivan Petrovich Mlinsky
1977 Dialogue Диалог Alexander Yershov
1977 Drove through the streets of bureau По улицам комод водили master of bureau
1979 Ballad of Tree and Rose Písen o stromu a ruzi Vladimir Kuznetsov
1981 Unpaid Vacation Отпуск за свой счёт Narration
1982 The Rear Front Фронт в тылу врага Colonel Ivan Petrovich Mlinsky
1984 European Story Европейская история Peter Losser, political commentator
1986 Approaching the Аuture Приближение к будущему Lunin
1987 The Appeal Апелляция Dmitry V. Plotnikov
1987 Soul Impatience Нетерпение души Panteleymon Lepeshinskiy
1987 Riders Наездники father
1988 To Kill a Dragon Убить дракона Charlemagne
1989 Love and Privileges Любовь с привилегиями Konstantin Gavrilovic Kozhemjakin
1991 Moscow Notti di paura Pyotr
1991 The Ghosts of the Green Room Призраки зелёной комнаты Martin Chiverel
1992 The Possessed Бесы Tikhon, Bishop retired
1993 Provincial Benefit Провинциальный бенефис Ivan Semenovich Velikatov
1993 Incomparable Несравненная Kholev
1993 The Codex of Disgrace Кодекс бесчестия accountant Chugunov
1994 Burnt by the Sun Утомлённые солнцем Vsevolod Konstantinovich
1994 A Boulevard Romance Бульварный роман Stanislav Vasil'evich Kandinski
1995 An Adventure Авантюра cameo appearance
1995 The Codex of Silence 2: Trace of black fish Кодекс молчания 2: След чёрной рыбы police colonel Agaev Voice
1996 Sweet Friend of Years Forgotten Long Ago... Милый друг давно забытых лет... Fedor Fedorovich
1998 Composition for Victory Day Сочинение ко Дню Победы Lev Morgulis
2001 Berlin Express Train Берлинский экспресс Georgy Astakhov
2006 Eyes of the Wolf Глазами волка old scientist
2006 Andersen. A Life without Love Андерсен. Жизнь без любви God (final film role)

Television

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Year Title Russian Title Role Notes
1973 Seventeen Moments of Spring Семнадцать мгновений весны Max Otto von Stierlitz 12 episodes
1984 TASS Is Authorized to Declare... ТАСС уполномочен заявить... KGB General Konstantinov 10 episodes
1998 Waiting Room Зал ожидания Mikhail Zaitsev, director of the orphanage

Legacy

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  • The name of Vyacheslav Tikhonov is given to the marine vessel of geophysical exploration of the shipping company Sovcomflot (launched in August 2011, the flag was raised on 16 September 2011).[9]
  • In May 2013, a monument by sculptor Alexey Blagovestnov was installed on the actor's grave. The monument reflects the versatility of Tikhonov's talent. The bronze figure is located in front of the relief on the gospel story Adoration of the Magi, which depicts many biblical characters.[10]
  • A Commemorative plaque is installed on the building of Lyceum No. 2 in Pavlovsky Posad (the former school No. 1, where the actor studied), now bearing his name.
  • Since 2017, the Vyacheslav Tikhonov International Film Festival, called "17 Moments", has been held. The initiator of the festival was the actor's daughter Anna.[11]
  • On 25 August 2018, the V. Tikhonov House-museum was opened in Pavlovsky Posad in the house where the actor was born and grew up.[12]
  • 2019 — Volodarsky Street in Pavlovsky Posad was renamed Tikhonov Street.[13]
  • On 20 May 2022, a monument to Vyacheslav Tikhonov was unveiled in Pavlovsky Posad. The monument made of bronze and granite is installed at the intersection of Herzen and Kirov streets.[14]

References

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  1. ^ Peter Rollberg (2009). Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema. US: Rowman / Littlefield. pp. 692–693. ISBN 978-0-8108-6072-8.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Vyacheslav Tikhonov: Actor best known for playing Soviet spies in a career spanning 60 years". The Independent. London. p. 44.
  3. ^ Vladimir Tikhonov at IMDb
  4. ^ Riley, John (11 July 2008). "Nonna Mordyukova: Star of 'The Commissar', cause célèbre of glasnost cinema". The Independent. London. p. 44.
  5. ^ Anna Tikhonova at IMDb
  6. ^ Nostalgia for Love. Tatyana Andriasova. Moscow News (Russia). Culture; No. 29. 28 July 1995. LexisNexis. Retrieved 6 September 2008.
  7. ^ "Семнадцать мгновений весны. Золотая коллекция" (in Russian). Gorky Film Studio. 10 October 2024.
  8. ^ Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of February 8, 2003, no. 147 Archived 4 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine" (in Russian). Presidential Administration of Russia. Retrieved 20 December 2009.
  9. ^ "Владимир Путин дал имя судну "Вячеслав Тихонов"". www.vesti.ru (in Russian). 16 September 2011. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  10. ^ "На могиле Вячеслава Тихонова появился памятник с библейским сюжетом". www.ntv.ru (in Russian). 31 May 2013. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Межджународный кинофестиваль имени Вячеслава Тихонова «Семнадцать мгновений»". kinofest17.tv (in Russian). Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Съездил на родину Вячеслава Тихонова. Там открыли Дом-Музей народного артиста". dzen.ru (in Russian). 15 October 2021.
  13. ^ "Улицу Володарского в Павловском Посаде переименуют в честь Вячеслава Тихонова". er.pavpos.ru (in Russian). 21 March 2018.
  14. ^ "Памятник Вячеславу Тихонову открыли в Павловском Посаде" (in Russian). 20 May 2022.
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