Actress of theater and cinema of two eras at once, Honored Artist of the RSFSR, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Olga Antonova, despite her brilliant career in cinema, has always considered herself a theater actress. However, her whole life testifies to the fact that popularity has never been the goal of her whole life for her.
Olga's childhood
The girl Olya was born on December 22, 1937 in the former city of Leningrad. She was fortunate enough to be born into an eminent family, her father is known as a Soviet prose writer, and her grandfather is an opera singer. The genes of talented relatives were passed on to the girl.
Unfortunately, the future star's childhood was not cloudless - her parents divorced when she was 6 years old. Olga stayed with her father, while her older brother and her mother moved. The father, by virtue of his profession, was constantly busy and the girl saw him very rarely. On the rare days of his presence, a creative atmosphere reigned in their communal apartment - his colleagues came to his father, read poetry, and discussed various literary topics.
As a child, Olga suffered from a serious illness of the spine, she spent months in the hospital. It was here that, to while away the long days, she began to create dolls. The imagination drew all kinds of beautiful creatures, and the future actress took the right material in her hands and began to create. At first, there was not enough experience and knowledge, it was not always what she dreamed about and the girl was upset. A little later, Olga gained skill and her fantasies began to turn into reality. She could easily have become a fashion designer, but still chose the acting path.
After school Antonova entered LGITMiK. The girl treated her studies very responsibly, and the teachers had no doubts that she had a brilliant creative future ahead of her.
Creation
In 1965, Olga Antonova graduated from the institute and got into the Leningrad Comedy Theater. Her first job was successful. The angelic appearance of the aspiring actress, her touchingness, purity and charm could not leave the viewer indifferent.
Antonova can be called an artist aimed at creative cooperation, she worked in tandem with many brilliant theater masters. In the theatrical environment, Olga was called a "fairy elf" for her charming spontaneity and ingenuity.
The famous Antonova woke up after the film "Almost funny story". After that, the actress tried to combine work in cinema and theater. She also had a chance to work in a theater called "Shelter of Comedians".
Bright personal life
The fragile blonde with piercing blue eyes never complained about the lack of attention from the male. The actress's youth was quite stormy - she had several beautiful relationships, but they did not lead to anything serious.
The first time Olga married a talented aspiring writer. Young people got married immediately after graduation. A little later, the couple had a coveted daughter. The couple were in love and happy, but after 11 years the relationship collapsed and the family broke up. Antonova left with her daughter, she was left without a roof over her head and without funds, she had to live with friends.
The artist's life changed when she met Igor Ivanov, an artist from the Comedy Theater. People who are madly in love have legally formalized the relationship. Igor became a real second half of the actress, he treated her daughter like his own father.
The famous artist had a difficult fate: not so long ago, her only daughter died from a long illness. Antonova has no grandchildren left, her husband Igor helped her to survive the grief. The second husband of the artist is her main companion and assistant. They have been together for a long time, their feelings not only did not cool down over the years, but became even stronger.
During her daughter's life, the actress became interested in author's dolls. The daughter supported her mother in her work, and after the grief that happened, the artist completely surrendered to her hobby. The dolls seem to help to cope with an irreparable loss, Olga treats them like living beings. She sews clothes for them and transforms them outwardly, changes hair, face, and especially eyes. Each ward of Antonova is distinguished by beautiful, but incredibly sad eyes. Coincidentally or not, but one doll from her extensive collection looks very much like her beloved daughter.
Now Olga teaches at the St. Petersburg State Academy of Theater Arts.
