This actor has played at least a hundred roles in films and about the same in the theater. Evgeny Evstigneev was loved by millions of Soviet viewers. And they continue to appreciate him after the death of the actor. The multi-faceted talent of the actor allowed him to create diverse and very characteristic images. The life of Yevgeny Alexandrovich ended tragically: his heart refused.
Actor's fate
Evgeny Evstigneev happened to be born in the simplest working-class family. His parents were far from creativity and did not even think that their son would become a movie star. As a child, Zhenya was fond of music. Teachers noted his musical talent. When his father died, the young man had to master a working profession: he had to help his mother. After the 7th grade, Eugene got a job, became an electrician, and then entered a technical school. Evstigneev worked for four years at the plant.
The audience would never have recognized the actor Evstigneev, if V. Lebsky, director of the theater school, had not accidentally discerned his musical talent in the city of Gorky. It was he who recommended the young man to try his hand at acting.
So Evstigneev became a student of the theater school. Here Evgeny's talent was fully revealed. By distribution, the young actor ended up in the city of Vladimir. For three seasons he appeared on the stage of the local drama theater. In 1954, the actor decided to continue his studies and became a student at the Moscow Art Theater School. Demonstrating remarkable abilities, Eugene made an impression on the commission. He was immediately enrolled - and immediately not for the first, but for the second year.
For fifteen years the actor served in Sovremennik. However, he did not get the main roles too often. But even the minor characters in Evstigneev turned out to be bright and strong. In 1971, Evgeny Aleksandrovich went to work at the Moscow Art Theater.
In cinema, Evstigneev made his debut, being already an experienced theatrical actor. The listing of all films with the participation of Evgeny Alexandrovich will take a lot of time. Soviet viewers remember very well Professor Preobrazhensky and the rogue Pyotr Ruchnikov, Professor Werner Pleischner and the director of the folk theater from the comedy Beware of the Automobile.
Personal life
The famous actor was married three times. His first chosen one was Galina Volchek, with whom they studied together. The young people got married in 1955. The marriage lasted ten long years. The son of Eugene and Galina, Denis, connected life with the world of cinema, becoming an operator and producer.
Lilia Zhurkina became the second wife of Evgeny Alexandrovich. They met at Sovremennik. The wife was eleven years younger than Evgeny Evstigneev. After marriage, she left her job in the theater. In this marriage, Evgeny and Lilia had a daughter, Maria. She also became an actress. At some point, Lilia started having health problems. Evstigneev nursed his wife for a long time, but this did not bring any result: at the age of 48, she died. Her death caused a second heart attack in Evstigneev.
A year later, Evstigneev entered into legal marriage for the third time. Irina Tsyvina became his chosen one this time. Those who knew the actor well say that Evstigneev was very happy in this marriage.
Evgeny Evstigneev was a passionate actor and partisan person. He knew how to love and hate with all the strength of his broad soul. But he forgave people for small weaknesses, being tolerant of shortcomings that he did not consider significant. He had the same condescending feelings both for close people and for some of his characters.
Death of Evgeny Evstigneev
At the end of the 70s, Evgeny Evstigneev developed heart problems. He suffered two heart attacks and more than once, for health reasons, refused to participate in some performances and filming. However, the actor could not sit for a long time without work.
In the early 1990s, the problem became more acute. And then Evgeny Alexandrovich decided on a responsible operation. It was supposed to be done in the capital of Great Britain. Mikael Tariverdiev underwent a similar operation shortly before. The maestro told Evstigneev that just a few days after the surgery he was full of strength and vigor. Evstigneev decided to follow the composer's advice and agreed to the operation.
An examination at a London clinic showed that the actor's chances of recovery, even with a favorable outcome of the operation, are very small. The cardiologist could not give guarantees. On March 4, 1992, immediately after consulting a cardiac surgeon, Evgeny Alexandrovich had a seizure. Resuscitation did not work. Four hours later, the actor was gone. The council of doctors came to the disappointing conclusion that only a heart transplant from a donor could save the famous patient.
