Vera Vasilyeva - biography
Vera Kuzminichna Vasilyeva is a Soviet theater and film actress.
The woman’s creative career debuted in the years after the war. At the time the fighting began, she did not have time to finish school.
However, closer to adulthood, the girl got the opportunity to try her hand at acting and crafts.
Despite all the difficulties and problems, she achieved her goal. Neither poverty nor a half-starved childhood became an obstacle. Moreover, she did it so successfully that she continues to work in the field of big cinema and theater to this day, despite her advanced age.
Over the years of creative activity, Vera Vasilyeva managed to try herself in a variety of roles. In the early period, when her career was just beginning, she starred as young girls. When I turned out to be older, I embodied the images of mothers. Finally, she became a wise grandmother.
Over the years of creative activity, the woman managed to appear in several dozen films and TV series. And also in about the same number of theatrical productions.
The artist's successful career is not over. Even now, when she has passed 90, she continues to delight audiences on big screens and theater stages.
Content
The secret of the artist's longevity
The notorious secret of longevity from Vera Kuzminichna lies on the surface. At such an advanced age, the artist has no intention of retiring. Vasilyeva is still busy in performances of her native Satire Theater. Third-party groups also invite her to participate in enterprises. “The more work, the better” - Vera Vasilyeva lives by this principle.
The artist does not lose her love of life and tries to go out in public in full dress. Even now, at 95, our heroine has not given up wearing heels, jewelry and makeup.
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Childhood and youth
The future actress Vera Vasilyeva was born on September 30, 1925 in Moscow, where the family moved shortly before the girl was born. In addition to the future actress herself, the parents raised three more children. Two daughters - Antonina and Valentina. And after some time, a younger brother named Vasily was born.
The girl's parents were not creative people in the traditional sense. Vera's mother's name was Alexandra Andreevna Vasilyeva, she was an intelligent woman, received a good education and even knew French.
Her natural intelligence, as well as her hard work, allowed her mother to move to Moscow and get a job at a factory. In her free time, the woman continued her education and planned to become an engineer.
The father was of simple, worker-peasant origin. Originally from the village. As soon as the family moved to the capital, he got a job at the same factory as a driver, where he continued to work for many years.
Vera Vasilyeva in childhood
As the artist herself said, there was no mutual understanding and great love between the parents. But this did not stop them from sharing all the hardships of the early Soviet period, which was marked by difficult trials for all people.
After moving to Moscow, the family lived on Chistye Prudy. Here they had a small room in a communal apartment. The house was heated by a stove. There was one tiny kitchen for everyone.
Mother, father and children eked out a poor, half-starved existence. We ate only potatoes. This atmosphere was not very conducive to creative development. However, already in those years the girl dreamed of breaking out of poverty.
The desire to become an actress came around the same years. One day, a friend of her mother took Vera Vasilyeva to the premiere of the production of The Tsar’s Bride. The girl was very impressed by the theater. She decided that someday she would also become a famous actress and appear on the big stage.
In the photo: Vera Vasilyeva in her youth
In 1941, the Great Patriotic War broke out. Mother and son went away from the front line. One of the sisters had by that time received a medical education and left for Kyrgyzstan. The second one worked in the Ministry of Defense and was also transported to the rear, to the city of Kuibyshev.
The father and young Vera were left alone in Moscow, awaiting the inevitable approach of enemy troops. The situation was turbulent and then completely panicky. Everyone expected the worst.
Young Vera Vasilyeva
Being in the military turned out to be difficult. The girl had to carry boxes, work hard physically, sleep wherever she had to and whenever she had the opportunity.
However, secretly the girl continued to dream about art. She was sure that as soon as the war was over, she would enter the theater and become a famous artist.
During the first period of hostilities, Vera worked in a milling shop. She worked equally with adults. My father helped me get this place. Thanks to hard work they had something to eat.
Shop employees were given food cards. After the shift ended, the girl went to the school for working youth to complete her education.
Vera Vasilyeva in her youth
This continued until the very middle of hostilities. In 1943, the Moscow Theater School announced the enrollment of students. Vasilyeva realized that this was her chance to fulfill her old dream and applied for admission.
Less than a month had passed since the young lady became a student at a theater institution. The leader and mentor of the young artist was Vladimir Vasilyevich Gotovtsev. A major artist of that time.
In 1947, the woman received a diploma from the theater school. From that moment on, she could begin an independent career.
Biography
Vera Kuzminichna comes from the village of Sukhoi Ruchey, Tver Region, but her childhood and her entire future life were spent in Moscow - the actress’s mother was burdened by rural existence and with all her soul strove to go to the city. She managed to persuade her flexible husband, and the whole large family, in which four children were raised, and then another one appeared, moved to Moscow.
In the photo: Vera Vasilyeva in childhood
Life in the capital was joyless - the family settled in a communal apartment with mice running across the floor, it was difficult for the parents to feed their large family, and this poverty almost drove the future actress to suicide - her existence seemed so hopeless. Books were her salvation, reading which the girl plunged into beautiful dreams.
The first time in Vera Vasilyeva’s biography of going to the theater took place in early childhood - a friend of her mother took her to see “The Tsar’s Bride” at the Bolshoi, and from then on the stage became the limit of her dreams. When the war began, Vera Kuzminichna was sixteen, her mother and two-year-old son were evacuated from Moscow, her older sisters also left, and she remained in the capital with her father.
Together with her neighbors, Vera Kuzminichna carried out night watches on the roof of the house, protecting them from a fire that could break out due to falling incendiary bombs, and waited for this terrible time to pass.
In the photo: Vera Vasilyeva in the film “Chuk and Gek”
After graduating from school, Vasilyeva decided to enter a circus school - she thought that getting into a theater school was much more difficult. However, her poor physical fitness left her no chance - she failed the first exam, and then Vera plucked up courage and went to school at the Theater of the Revolution.
The admissions committee was fascinated by the young applicant with a perky smile and dimples on her cheeks, and Vera Vasilyeva was enrolled in the first year.
Theater
The debut of Vera Vasilyeva's career on stage occurred in 1948. Almost immediately after graduation, the woman was taken to the Moscow Satire Theater.
Historically, the first production in the artist’s biography was the play “Lev Gurych Sinichkin.” She got one of the main roles of Lisa, an actress in a provincial theater. The production was a great success.
Over the next two years, the young artist played in several more productions. Vera Vasilyeva's work was distinguished by its maturity and author's style, which was unusual for a novice creative person. Literally two years later, the woman becomes the leading actress of the theater.
In 1950, the production “Dowry Wedding” was released. The creators took a very responsible approach to organizing the performance. And they were right. Since its premiere, the production has been a wild success.
The triumph was so great that the performance was shown several hundred more times since its premiere. Vera Vasilyeva was awarded the Stalin Prize for her talented acting.
Wedding with a dowry (comedy, dir. Tatyana Lukashevich, 1953)
In subsequent years, until the beginning of the sixties, the artist performed with another 15 images on the theater stage. She has earned a reputation as a talented actress who can fit into almost any role and play it perfectly.
Stage directors trusted Vasilyeva with the most difficult jobs, which she handled brilliantly.
Crazy Day, or The Marriage of Figaro. Theater of Satire. Part 1 (1973)
In 1960, the production “12 Chairs” based on the novel of the same name was released. Here the artist took on the insignificant but striking role of Ellochka Shchukina.
Interview with the actress of the Moscow Academic Theater of Satire Vera Vasilyeva (1970)
In 1988, the actress played in a production based on the work of the same name “Warrior”. The role in this performance became one of the most striking in the artist’s entire theatrical career.
Since then, 12 more performances with the participation of women have been released. The last time Vera Vasilyeva appeared on the stage of the Satire Theater was in 2021. At the same time, she does not intend to end her professional career and continues to work actively.
"Crazy Day, or The Marriage of Figaro." A fragment of the 1970 production. Theater of Satire on Screen (1970)
Despite the fact that Vera Kuzminichna devoted most of her life to this creative association, she never refused to collaborate with other theaters.
At different times, the actress took part in work on stage in Orel, Bryansk, and Tver. Also in Moscow.
In total, the actress’s track record includes dozens of roles of various types. Many of them are the main ones.
Cinema
Vera Kuzminichna Vasilyeva's debut on big screens was back in 1945. At that moment, the young artist was still studying at the theater school. The girl got a cameo role in the film “Twins”. It was a test of the pen and quite successful.
Vera Vasilyeva in the film "Twins", 1945
By chance, in 1947 the artist met Ivan Pyryev. The man offered her the main role in the film “The Tale of the Siberian Land.”
The second work on the big screen was a real triumph. The film was received very cordially. It was liked by both viewers and professional critics.
Vera Vasilyeva in the film “The Tale of the Siberian Land” 1947
For many years, this film became the calling card of Vera Vasilyeva. And some call him the main thing in the artist’s life.
In any case, for her successful and talented work, the woman was awarded the first Stalin Prize (she received the second later, for a theatrical role).
In 1953, an adaptation of the previously successful production “Dowry Wedding” was released on the big screen. Vasilyeva takes on an already familiar and familiar role. In the same year, the actress takes part in the short film “Chuk and Gek”.
Vera Vasilyeva in the film “Dowry Wedding” 1953
In 1965, the woman took part in the film “Adventures of a Dentist” with Andrei Myagkov in the title role. This work became the debut for the young artist. However, by the will of the officials who were responsible for censorship, the film was never released. Although it could have been more than successful.
Vera Vasilyeva in the film “Adventures of a Dentist” 1965
In 1981, the artist took part in the film “Carnival,” which is still very popular among fans of Soviet cinema.
Carnival 1981 (1 episode) | Comedy movie
Over the years, Vera Vasilyeva took part in the films of the series “The Investigation is Conducted by Experts.” They were popular due to the unusual atmosphere of detective films. Although there were enough films of this genre at one time.
Vera Vasilyeva in the film The Investigation is Conducted by Experts, 1971-1989
In the new millennium, the artist took part in multi-part films. However, most of them never gained the popularity they deserved.
One of these is the “While the Fern Blooms” project. It received mixed reviews from critics and was received rather lukewarmly. Although it had high ratings.
Vera Vasilyeva in the film “While the Fern is Blooming”
Fans of Vera Vasilyeva's talent count more than fifty paintings in her creative portfolio.
Moreover, in addition to the films and television series themselves, the artist’s track record included a place for television performances. At one time she took part in dubbing cartoons.
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She studied with inspiration - a dream come true, and soon she will play on stage, which she has dreamed of since childhood. During this period, the cinematic biography of Vera Vasilyeva began - in her second year she starred in an episode in the film “Twins”, and a year later she was invited to the role, thanks to which the aspiring actress became a real movie star.
In the film "The Tale of the Siberian Land"
It was the film “The Tale of the Siberian Land,” in which Vasilyeva played a simple village girl Nastya. Her partners on the set were famous actors - Marina Ladynina, Vladimir Druzhnikov, Boris Andreev, next to whom the aspiring artist felt awkward and tried to stay away.
She did not expect that this role would put her on a par with them, and that the state would award her the Stalin Prize.
Personal life
The first and only husband of Vera Vasilyeva was Vladimir Ushakov. Colleague, theater and film actor. For a long time he sought the favor of the young artist. I looked after her for several years until I achieved my desired goal.
In 1956, the couple got married. No children were born from their life together. The initiator of the decision was the wife herself. Her husband supported her in this lifestyle, for which, according to Vasilyeva, she is very grateful to her husband.
Vera Vasilyeva and Vladimir Ushakov in their youth
The couple were almost always together. Even on tour, when I had to be on the road. The husband did everything to make the task easier for his chosen one.
Vera Vasilyeva with her husband Vladimir Ushakov
She had little understanding of everyday matters. Despite the fact that they lived in a small room, Vladimir hired a housekeeper to help Vasilyeva and save her from having to do housework.
The couple was together for almost 60 years. By the beginning of the new millennium, a man suffered a heart attack. As a result of vascular problems, the artist almost completely lost the ability to see. However, this did not affect the couple's relationship in any way.
Vera Vasilyeva and Vladimir Ushakov
In recent years, the man was forced to use a pacemaker because his heart was not working well.
In 2011, my husband became ill. He died in the hospital. The artist experienced the loss of her loved one very hard. In Vera Vasilyeva's personal life there was room for only one person. After the death of her husband, she continues to cherish the memory of the long years of marriage.
“Vera Vasilyeva. The secret of her youth." Documentary
Actress now
The artist has an open character. He willingly invites film crews and journalists to his place and talks about his life. At the same time, he continues his career, despite his advanced years. He works in the theater, and when the opportunity arises, he will act in films and TV series.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH VERA VASILYEVA TO VESTI FM
She does not consider her acting work to be difficult. Against. Because it gives her energy and helps her live and feel better.
At over 90 years old, the artist does not want to stop there. According to the woman, she plans to continue her professional career.
Sacred Monsters Part 1
Years of war
During the war, Vera Vasilyeva remained in Moscow with her father. Mother, sisters and brother went to evacuate. Difficult times forced the girl to experience hard work in the summer at agricultural work, and in the winter at a military factory. The night bombing of the capital and the unshakable faith in the country's victory were etched in the memory as a bright spot.
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Filmography
Selected paintings:
- 1945 - Gemini
- 1947 — The Legend of the Siberian Land
- 1953 - Dowry wedding
- 1974 - Screen Star
- 1975 - We didn’t go through this
- 1976 - Entertainment for old people
- 1982 - We lived next door
- 1984 - Ordered to be taken alive
- 1986 - Malicious Sunday
- 1997 - Dandelion wine
- 2002 - The investigation is conducted by the Experts. Arbitrator
- 2012 — While the fern is blooming
- 2016 — Holiday of disobedience
Family
The future star of “Dowry Wedding” was born on September 30, 1925. This happened on the name day of the saints Mother Sophia and her daughters, the great martyrs Faith, Hope and Love.
The girl’s family consisted of a quiet village father, an educated progressive mother who was eager to move to the capital, and three daughters (Vera was the youngest). A little later my brother was born.
When the Vasilievs moved to Moscow, they settled in a small communal apartment. Vera's father worked as a driver, and her mother kept house.
Vera Kuzminichna recalled that her parents did not marry for love, her mother was forcibly married to her father, and she had to endure the village way of life that she hated so much. But despite this, they lived their whole lives together and created a large happy family.
Vera Vasilyeva in childhood. Source: biographe.ru
