Vladimir Zeldin(1915-2016)
- Actor
Russian actor Vladimir Zeldin was born 10 February 1915 in Moscow, Russia. A centenarian, he was among the longest-serving stage performers and continued acting up until his death.
Zeldin became an all-Union celebrity in 1941 starring in the leading role in the musical comedy They Met in Moscow (1941) by Ivan Pyrev. His other famous movie works include Boris Olenich in Symphony of Life (1948), Aldemaro in Uchitel tantsev (1952), a clown in Carnival Night (1956), Alexander Serebryakov in Uncle Vanya (1970), Judge in Ten Little Indians (1987) grandfather in Politseiskiye i vory (1998) and Olga's Father in Ukrainian TV-Series Svaty (2008).
From 1945 Vladimir Zeldin performed in the Russian Army Theatre. His most famous role was Aldemaro in The Dancing Master play by Lope de Vega. Other popular roles include Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Serebryakov in Uncle Vanya, Albert Gregor in The Makropulos Affair, Frank Gardner in Mrs. Warren's Profession and others. The Most Honest, a satirical play about an elderly Baron Munchausen, was written by Grigori Gorin on Zeldin's suggestion and with him in mind.
In February 2005, Vladimir Zeldin celebrated his 90th birthday by performing in the new musical Man of La Mancha where he starred both as Don Quixote and Miguel de Cervantes. The role of Don Quixote quickly became his signature role and he closely associated himself with the character.
In October 2013, at the age of 98 he took part in the 2014 Winter Olympics torch relay, becoming the oldest torchbearer in history for that time.
He celebrated his 101st birthday on stage by performing the leading role in the play Dance with the Master and written specially for him.
Vladimir Zeldin died on 31 October 2016 and was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
Zeldin became an all-Union celebrity in 1941 starring in the leading role in the musical comedy They Met in Moscow (1941) by Ivan Pyrev. His other famous movie works include Boris Olenich in Symphony of Life (1948), Aldemaro in Uchitel tantsev (1952), a clown in Carnival Night (1956), Alexander Serebryakov in Uncle Vanya (1970), Judge in Ten Little Indians (1987) grandfather in Politseiskiye i vory (1998) and Olga's Father in Ukrainian TV-Series Svaty (2008).
From 1945 Vladimir Zeldin performed in the Russian Army Theatre. His most famous role was Aldemaro in The Dancing Master play by Lope de Vega. Other popular roles include Tranio in The Taming of the Shrew, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Serebryakov in Uncle Vanya, Albert Gregor in The Makropulos Affair, Frank Gardner in Mrs. Warren's Profession and others. The Most Honest, a satirical play about an elderly Baron Munchausen, was written by Grigori Gorin on Zeldin's suggestion and with him in mind.
In February 2005, Vladimir Zeldin celebrated his 90th birthday by performing in the new musical Man of La Mancha where he starred both as Don Quixote and Miguel de Cervantes. The role of Don Quixote quickly became his signature role and he closely associated himself with the character.
In October 2013, at the age of 98 he took part in the 2014 Winter Olympics torch relay, becoming the oldest torchbearer in history for that time.
He celebrated his 101st birthday on stage by performing the leading role in the play Dance with the Master and written specially for him.
Vladimir Zeldin died on 31 October 2016 and was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
