Comedian Igor Mamenko: biography, personal life, creativity and interesting facts

Igor Mamenko: biography, family and childhood

He was born on September 10, 1960 in the golden-domed capital, Moscow. In what family was the future comedian raised? His father, Vladimir Gennadievich, was a circus acrobat and stuntman. He performed dangerous stunts in the legendary film "Amphibian Man" and other films. Vladimir Mamenko personally knew Yuri Nikulin. They worked in the same circus act.

And Igor’s mother was the daughter of leading opera artists who performed on the stage of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater. The woman received a good education, but most of her life played the role of a housewife.

Igorek grew up as an active and purposeful child. At an early age, he dreamed of becoming a hockey player. But then the boy abandoned this idea.

Our hero showed his ability to make people around him laugh as a child. At the pioneer camp, Mamenko Jr. constantly participated in concerts and literary productions. He also kept a notebook where he wrote down the funniest phrases from the jokes he liked. Then the boy came up with new funny stories and told them to his friends.

Igor Mamenko - biography

Igor was born in 1960 in Moscow into a creative family. His father, Vladimir Mamenko, was known as a circus performer and acrobat, as well as a stuntman who performed dangerous stunts in many films, and Igor’s mother grew up in a family of opera and ballet theater artists and followed in their footsteps.

For a long time, Igor himself could not decide on his future profession, although his ability to make people laugh and deftly tell funny stories and anecdotes was always striking. Nevertheless, Igor decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and entered the Moscow Variety and Circus School, where, along with acrobatics, he mastered clowning, juggling and balancing act.

After Igor graduated from college in 1984, he began working in the circus as an acrobat, and was soon drafted into the army. But even here he did not forget about his talents and always took part in various concerts as part of a circus group.

True, it was not enough for the young man that he became an excellent acrobat, he also wanted to try himself as a pop artist. Together with his friend Nikolai Lukinsky, Igor prepared a humorous miniature “Soldier and Ensign”, with which they began performing in front of the public. After some time, Regina Dubovitskaya drew attention to the talented comedian and invited him to her “Full House” program, and already in 2003, real fame came to the artist. After he performed the monologue “Mother-in-Law,” he was not only loved by millions of viewers, but also began to be called “the joke man.”

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This good-natured fat man very soon became a favorite of the public, who were impressed by his talented manner of performance, his amazing imitation of voices, and his peculiar facial expressions. Each of his performances brought smiles and laughter to the audience, and, of course, lifted their spirits.

It is not surprising that in 2005 Igor Mamenko was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Russian Federation, and in 2008 he was awarded the prestigious Golden Eagle award.

All his years on the stage, Igor has been working closely with Leon Izmailov, Semyon Altov and Efim Shifrin, but not only performs the works of these eminent authors, but also often performs his own monologues, imbued with sparkling humor.

The artist often performs together with famous comedians, and such performances, as a rule, are a resounding success. Consider the famous sketch “Father and Son with the Bride,” where Igor Mamenko, Elena Vorobey and Gennady Vetrov appeared before the audience in comic images: Vetrov is a father who works as a plumber, Vorobey is a son who is about to get married, and Mamenko is his “beauty” "-bride.

And such a duet as Svetlana Rozhkova and Igor Mamenko has long been received with a bang by the audience, as this couple performs with many miniatures that make them laugh to tears.

By the way, Igor not only has a dizzying sense of humor, but also has perfect pitch and a pleasant voice. Therefore, it is not surprising that he sometimes performs with songs, mostly funny, and his creative collection even includes joint performances with such famous singers as Natasha Koroleva and Anna Semenovich.

In my father's footsteps

How did the life of our hero develop further, what can the biography of Igor Mamenko tell about this? At the age of 15, he went to enroll in the capital's variety and circus school. His father studied there at one time. Mamenko Jr. managed to cope with the entrance tests. He was a diligent and responsible student. In addition to acrobatics, Igorek also mastered other circus genres - clowning, juggling and balancing act.

The idol and role model for our hero was Yuri Nikulin. Igor liked how, with the help of funny makeup and facial expressions, he could make the audience laugh. Mamenko often played pranks on his classmates, especially on April Fool's Day (April 1).

Work in the circus and the army

In 1984, Igor was awarded a diploma. He had no problems finding employment. A talented and confident guy was accepted into the circus.

He worked there as an acrobat until he received a summons to the military registration and enlistment office. The young circus performer did not shy away from military service.

Igor Mamenko, whose biography we are considering, ended up in the motorized rifle troops of the Kantemirovsky division. In the army, our hero continued to improve his acrobatic skills. He took part in concerts as part of a circus group. Then he was transferred to the SKA sports company.

Appearance on stage

After demobilization, Igor continued performing in the circus. However, the work ceased to bring him moral satisfaction. Mamenko wanted further creative development, and was also eager to try himself in another field.

Once, in a conversation with an old friend Nikolai Lukinsky, he talked about his desire to perform on stage. And his friend reacted vividly to his words. Lukinsky suggested that Mamenko prepare several humorous numbers. And soon this duo performed in front of the general public. Their joint performance was called “Soldier and Ensign.” Igor Vladimirovich also told the audience several jokes. That day, Regina Dubovitskaya drew the attention of the charming and extraordinary artist. She invited him to perform at Full House. And our hero did not miss this chance.

In 2003, the pop artist gained all-Russian fame. The biography of Igor Mamenko attracted the interest of thousands of viewers. And after performing the monologue “Mother-in-Law,” he acquired the nickname The Joke Man.

For a couple

Igor Mamenko, who was previously known among his acquaintances as a joker and joker, got into the “big humor” thanks to his acquaintance with Nikolai Lukinsky. Having once told a friend about his own desire to try himself as a pop artist, the future “king of jokes” received a sudden offer from him - to prepare a joint performance.

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Igor Mamenko in his youth
Soon, the comrades presented to the audience the number “Soldier and Ensign”, in which there was a place not only for unique barracks humor with an admixture of jokes and jokes well known to the residents of Russia, but also a demonstration of the specific talents of the future famous humorist - the character of Igor Mamenko on stage juggled and also told jokes.

Further humorous career

Peculiar facial expressions, imitation of female and male voices, interesting presentation of the material - all this brought a smile to the artist’s mere appearance on stage.

Our hero not only reads the works of famous authors, but also performs his own monologues. For several years now, Igor Vladimirovich has been working closely with Leon Izmailov, Efim Shifrin and Semyon Altov. He constantly remembers the wonderful satirist Alexander Suvorov (now deceased).

Mamenko has perfect pitch and a pleasant voice. Perhaps he inherited his musical abilities from his grandfather and grandmother (on his mother’s side), who sang in the opera. Igor’s creative collection includes several funny songs performed in a duet with Anna Semenovich and Natasha Koroleva.

Today, many in our country know who Igor Mamenko is (his biography is not a sealed secret). Despite his merits and awards, he remains a modest and kind person. He never had star fever or arrogance. The artist does not refuse fans who ask him to give an autograph or take a photo together. He can easily ride the subway.

What else can a biography tell about our hero (humorist Igor Mamenko)?

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Wife and kids

From his youth, our hero was popular with representatives of the opposite sex. Many young ladies dreamed of linking their fate with a handsome and cheerful guy. But only one girl was lucky. Igor met his future wife, Maria, within the walls of the circus. The girl was a master of sports in artistic gymnastics. Mamenko was always amazed at the incredible pirouettes she performed under the circus dome.

One day, Igor and Maria were included in one acrobatic performance. It was then that mutual feelings flared up between them. After this, the young acrobats tried to spend more time together. Igorek invited his beloved to the cinema, cafe, and also for walks around the evening city.

Our hero proposed to his future wife quite modestly, without a bouquet of red roses or an invitation to a restaurant. But Mary didn’t need all this. She loved Igor Vladimirovich so much that, without hesitation, she agreed to marry him. In 1980, the couple entered into a legal marriage. They celebrated the celebration in a close family circle.

In 1982, as the biography of humorist Igor Mamenko says, his life was enriched with a joyful event - his first child was born. The boy was named Dmitry. The next addition to the Mamenko family occurred in 2000. The second son of Igor and Maria, Alexander, was born.

Love under the circus big top

Work in the circus affected Igor’s whole life. It was here that he met his first and only love. The meeting took place under the circus dome. He was paired with an attractive gymnast named Maria. And as they rehearsed a difficult lift, their eyes met. It was love at first sight.

For some time, Maria and Igor looked closely at each other. Their meetings were modest and sweet. The marriage proposal was the same. Igor did not make a show out of it with huge bouquets of flowers and rose petals. He simply got down on one knee and confessed his love. Maria didn’t need loud confessions. She loved her roommate with all her heart and was looking forward to this proposal most of all.

Present tense

How is Igor Mamenko doing now? The biography indicates that in July 2014 he became a widower. His beloved wife Maria died of a heart attack. The artist still cannot come to terms with her death. They were married for 34 years. And only death could separate two sincerely loving hearts.

Our hero's children have long grown up. The eldest son, Dmitry, is a successful businessman. However, the specific scope of his activities is not disclosed. And the youngest son, 16-year-old Sasha, is still in school. He is seriously interested in football and plays for the Spartak-2 team.

As for Igor Vladimirovich himself, he continues to participate in humorous programs (“You are allowed to laugh,” “Humorina,” etc.).

Igor Mamenko - personal life

Today Igor Mamenko is a widower. His wife was Marina Mamenko, whom he met at the circus, where she worked as a gymnast and performed incredible pirouettes under the circus dome. The young people fell in love with each other and got married in 1980. In 1982, their first child was born - son Dmitry, and in 2000 another son - Alexander.

By the way: Lion Izmailov - biography, Wikipedia

In 2014, Igor Vladimirovich’s beloved wife died of a heart attack. They lived in a happy marriage for 34 years, and Mamenko still cannot come to terms with her death. And only work somehow distracts him and forces him to control himself. He still gives concerts and takes part in various humorous programs, such as “Humorina”, “You are Allowed to Laugh” and many others.

Interesting Facts

1. In 2005 he was awarded the title Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. He is also the winner of the Golden Ostap Award (2008), which he was awarded at the Comedy Film and Humor Festival in St. Petersburg.

2. Mamenko considers Sergei Drobotenko, Svetlana Rozhkova, Elena Vorobey and Gennady Vetrov to be his close friends.
3. He is a big fan of jazz. His house contains an extensive music library.
4. Igor Vladimirovich Mamenko considers himself a passionate fisherman and hunter. Every summer, together with a neighbor, the artist goes to Astrakhan or Karelia for several days.
5. The comedian recently visited Africa. If you think that he was there exploring the local sights and relaxing on the beach, then you are very mistaken. While on the hot continent, Mamenko went fishing. His catch was a 22-kilogram catfish.
6. Igor Vladimirovich himself said goodbye to sports a long time ago. Not a trace remained of the acrobat’s fit figure. At the same time, the 56-year-old comedian loves to follow sports competitions on TV. He has a special affinity for boxing and biathlon.