Vladimir Georgievich Epifantsev is a creative person. Has two higher educations. He is a famous theater and film actor, as well as a film director, TV presenter and music video director. The actor became famous for his work in such films as “Escape”, “It All Started in Harbin”, “Lucky”, “Genetarion P”, “Invincible”, “The Green Elephant” and many others. The man plays best in the roles of brutal men: police officers and criminals, special forces and killers. He was also awarded a special prize for his domestic contribution to the development of the horror genre.
Vladimir Georgievich Epifantsev
Vladimir is married twice. The first wife is actress Yulia Stebunova , the second is also actress Anastasia Vedenskaya. In 2005, Epifantsev’s first-born son Gordey was born , and three years later Orpheus was born.
Childhood and family
Epifantsev Vladimir was born in September 1971 in Moscow. His father is Georgy Epifantsev, an actor at the Moscow Art Theater, also known for his work in the films “Foma Gordeev” (1959), “Gloomy River” (1969), “Don’t Part With Your Loved Ones” (1979). The mother of the future actor, Tatyana Vasilievna Epifantseva, also devoted her life to the theater.
Vladimir Epifantsev is the successor of the acting dynasty. When Vladimir was born, his son Mikhail, born in 1968, was already growing up in the family. A little later, in 1974, the couple had a daughter, Natalya.
It is not surprising that Vladimir, who grew up in a creative atmosphere, decided to continue his father’s work. At the age of 5, he first appeared on the stage of the Moscow Art Theater in the cast of “Duck Hunt” and “Steelworkers”.
At school, Vladimir studied poorly, was an inveterate loser and a hooligan. After the ninth grade, he was transferred to a school for working youth. He worked in the workshops of the Moscow Art Theater.
Epifantsev family tragedy
The life ending of the head of the family turned into a tragedy. “Your beginning will be good, the middle will be stormy, and the end will be terrible!” they predicted for his hero in “The Gloomy River.” This remark turned out to be prophetic. In 1992, Georgy, having too much alcohol, crossed the railway tracks without noticing an approaching freight train.
Georgy Epifantsev died in 1992. An equally terrible fate befell his older brother Vladimir. In his youth, Mikhail Epifantsev starred in the cult series “The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed” as a boy who was killed by bandits because he had seen too much. But his further acting career did not work out: he was not accepted into the theater, he had to serve in the army and work as a salesman. When it turned out that his son Petya was born with cerebral palsy due to a medical error, Mikhail’s wife left him. After this, alcohol and drugs appeared in his life. On November 9, 1998, he died - his heart stopped.
Epifantsev's elder brother in "The meeting place cannot be changed" Georgy Epifantsev and his eldest son are buried at the Troekurovsky cemetery.
Vladimir Epifantsev in the theater
In 1990, Epifantsev, on his second attempt, entered the Shchukin Theater School, taking the course of Vladimir Ivanov.
As the actor’s mother recalled, the theater community did not accept him, since Vladimir was not afraid to violate established canons. For example, when he played in the course “The Seagull,” Vladimir Etush, who was present at the premiere, shouted indignantly: “Lower the curtain! A mockery of a classic!” and tried to expel the student Epifantsev, who was saved from relegation only by the intervention of his mentor.
Young Vladimir Epifantsev After graduating from “Pike” in 1994, Vladimir entered the directing department of GITIS (workshop of Pyotr Fomenko). During the same period, he created the theater project “Prok-theater”, within the framework of which he gave free rein to his unusual vision of classical drama, staging many very unusual performances: “Jesus Cried”, “The Cut of the Shrew”, “Strike at a Textile Factory”, “The Jet” Blood", "Romeo and Juliet".
He soon became a prominent figure in Russian avant-garde art. Epifantsev the director was never boring for the audience, and Epifantsev the actor was called the best among the new generation. Epifantsev’s work could not be attributed to any specific branch of culture. His productions featured a radical, expressive avant-garde genre combined with harsh musical and noise accompaniment. His works were imbued with the philosophy of Antonin Artaud and the “theater of cruelty”, but at the same time critics found chastity and tragedy in his works.
Epifantsev in the play “The Seagull” (Vakhtangov Theater) We note that Epifantsev performed solo in “Caligula”, “Macbeth” and “The Seagull” staged on the stage of the theater. Vakhtangov.
Big screen appearances
In 1999, Vladimir starred in the arch-house film “The Green Elephant,” which still remains one of the most famous films with his participation. The project received extremely negative reviews from critics and was forgotten for some time until it gained popularity among Internet users in the late 2000s.
The leading actor himself denied participation for a long time, declaring that he got to filming literally by accident. Allegedly, he succumbed to the long persuasion of director Svetlana Baskova, and first agreed to act in the film. He was not happy with the result and even missed the premiere show. Nevertheless, among fans of the avant-garde, “The Green Elephant” has become a cult piece and is still popular today.
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Epifantsev’s real popularity came with the premiere of the film “Lucky,” released in 2006. He played the role of the main character Vadim Uporov, exiled to the Gulag following a denunciation. A year later, he appeared as the director of a funeral agency in the black comedy “I’m Staying.”
In 2010, the multi-part film “Gangs” was released, where he again played the leading role. He developed the role of a person disappointed in life, so this time the artist got the character of a military man who decided to go into the criminal world.
A new round of fame began after filming in the Russian adaptation of the successful American series “Escape.” The show was warmly received by viewers, although it was not original, so the project was renewed for a second season.
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Publication from Vladimir Epifantsev (@vse_o_genii) March 17, 2021 at 12:12 PDT
The film adaptation of the famous novel “Generation P” by Victor Pelevin took a long time to reach the viewer: the filming process lasted for five years, which became a difficult test for the entire team.
For some time, Vladimir was ready to leave the project, but he found the strength to stay and did not regret it: the role of copywriter Vavilen brought him incredible popularity, and the work of the director and actors was warmly received by critics.
Vladimir Epifantsev on TV
In 1997-1998, Vladimir Epifantsev became the host of the author’s program “Drema” on channel TV-6. The show was conceived as a musical hit parade, but in the intervals Epifantsev also managed to show sketches a la “Prok Theater”. By the way, Anfisa Chekhova became his co-host, adding frank flavor to the program. Subsequently, he took part in the programs “Cultivator” and “Muzoboz.” “Drema”: Vladimir Epifantsev and Anfisa Chekhova In the early 2000s, Epifantsev established himself as a music video director after working on music videos for Lyapis Trubetskoy and the group “Cockroaches”. His video parody of an advertisement for Tide washing powder is widely known, where instead of a smiling showman with a box of powder in his hands, Epifantsev ran up to passers-by with a chainsaw. The video became a real hit of the era of mobile phones with IR ports - schoolchildren, students, and adults passed it on to each other. Vladimir Epifantsev: Tide or beheading? In 2008-2009, Vladimir Epifantsev participated in the Russian shows “Dancing with the Stars” and “King of the Ring” " In 2010, he became the host of the “Brilliant Detective” program on the Ren-TV channel. The show aired investigations of real crimes without embellishment and myths. In total, 18 episodes of the program were released.
Epifantsev participated in “Dancing with the Stars” paired with Anastasia Novozhilova
Questionable success on television
Having succeeded on the theatrical stage, Epifantsev decided to go on television, because there, in the harsh 90s, you could earn much more than performing on stage.
In 1997, he founded the television show “Drema,” which he hosted together with Anfisa Chekhova. As planned, the program introduced viewers to avant-garde novelties from the world of music, but soon the program turned into a psychedelic art performance: in between clips, Vladimir and Anfisa performed small skits.
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Ambitious projects did not find support from channel producers and ordinary viewers. On TV-6, the “Deconstructor” program lasted a whole year before it was closed; later Epifantsev took part in the filming of the programs “Muzoboz” and “Cultivator”, but due to his extraordinary views he did not find understanding with the management and was forced to leave projects.
Film career
Vladimir Epifantsev’s film debut was associated with Svetlana Baskova’s film “The Green Elephant”. The film, in the trash genre, introduced viewers to the conflict between two junior officers of the Russian army locked in a punishment cell. Epifantsev played a simple Russian man who is not interested in everything new, he is traditional and believes that everything goes on as usual. The neighbor of Epifantsev’s hero turned out to be a “traveling” officer, whose role was played by Sergei Pakhomov. Vladimir Epifantsev about the film “The Green Elephant” The director announced the deep anti-militarist message of the film, but in 1999 only a narrow circle of fans of the genre could appreciate it. Sudden popularity covered “The Green Elephant” in the early 2010s, and the film, full of shocking content, instantly scattered into quotes. Among the mass audience, the film gained fame as the most vile film in history, and critics argued that “Elephant” should not be banned under any circumstances, because rarely anyone is able to watch even half of it.
Vladimir Epifantsev’s first film role (“The Green Elephant”) A couple of years later, Epifantsev again starred in the arthouse directed by Baskova “Five Bottles of Vodka,” the plot of which was based on the relationship between the management and employees of one of the Moscow bars.
Still from the film “Five Bottles of Vodka” Looking ahead, we note that in 2012 the tandem of Epifantsev and Pakhomov could again be seen in Baskova’s drama “For Marx” - about the conflict between the “new Russians” and ordinary workers after the collapse of the USSR. In comparison with the director’s previous works, the film lost its “arthouse” feel, but retained its acute social appeal and was enthusiastically received by critics.
I don’t want to pigeonhole Vladimir Epifantsev into a still from the film “For Marx,” but I can’t help but list a number of his roles in action-packed action films of domestic production: “Antikiller-2,” “Mama Don’t Cry-2,” “Mortal Combat.” , “Dog Work”, “Capture”, “Flint”, “Incorruptible”. One of the actor’s most notable works for several years was the role of special agent Yegor Kremnev in the blockbuster “Invincible,” until his hero from the series “Escape” took over the “palm.” “Cinema in Detail” with Vladimir Epifantsev In “Escape,” Epifantsev played Kirill Panin, the older brother of the character Yuri Chursin. His character is in prison for the murder of a politician. The younger brother deliberately ends up in prison to arrange Kirill's escape.
Yuri Chursin and Vladimir Epifantsev in the series “Escape” Among other memorable films with the participation of Vladimir Epifantsev are “It all started in Harbin” with Danila Kozlovsky and Anna Chipovskaya, where he played NKVD commissar Valentin Krakhmalnikov, as well as the drama “Home” with Sergei Garmash and Bogdan Stupka.
A still from the film “Home” (2011) The actor is well known to fans of Viktor Pelevin’s work - in 2011, a film adaptation of the mystical novel “Generation P” was released, where Epifantsev played the role of advertiser Vavilen Tatarsky.
Vladimir Epifantsev as Vavilen Tatarsky (“Generation P”) Vladimir Epifantsev starred in the most high-profile domestic premiere of 2021 - the historical blockbuster “Viking,” which tells the story of the life path of Prince Vladimir. Epifantsev got the role of the Varangian Fedor, who, according to legend, was the first Christian martyr in Rus'.
“Viking”: Vladimir Epifantsev played the Varangian Fedor
Filmography
In the late nineties, Epifantsev played his debut role in the arthouse project The Green Elephant . The film received very low ratings from critics, and Vladimir himself soon admitted that he ended up on the set completely by accident. Before the artist agreed to film, the director of the project, Svetlana Baskova, spent a long time persuading him. The actor did not even dare to come to the premiere of the film. However, in youth avant-garde circles the project became, in a sense, a landmark, a pioneer of the genre, and still remains very popular.
Vladimir Georgievich Epifantsev in the film “The Green Elephant”
After a year, Epifantsev made his debut on television, where he starred in a television series called “Border. Taiga Romance”, where he played a fugitive criminal. Taking into account the unusual appearance of the actor, the role of a negative character, a military man or a criminal, quickly grew on Vladimir Georgievich. He got roles of this kind in films such as “Assassination” and “Antikiller 2: Antiterror” .
Vladimir Georgievich on the set
The artist’s first fame came after working on the film “ Lucky ,” filmed in 2006. The actor received the role of the main character Vadim Uporov, who was sent following a denunciation to the Main Directorate of Places of Detention. After a year, he played the role of a funeral director in the dramatic comedy I'm Staying.
Vladimir Georgievich Epifantsev in the film “Home”
In 2010 , the multi-part project “ Gangs ” with Vladimir Georgievich in the leading role was released on television. As in many films before, the actor played the role of a military man disillusioned with life who decides to work for a gangster group.
Epifantsev in the TV series “Escape”
The same year, the actor played in the adaptation of the famous foreign television series “ Escape ”. The film enjoyed impressive success with viewers, as a result of which it was extended for two seasons, but filming of the third did not begin. However, success with viewers did not become an obstacle for critics to compare the original with the Russian version, and obviously not in favor of the latter.
Epifantsev’s greatest fame came from playing the leading role in the acclaimed Russian film “Generation P,” based on the works of writer Viktor Pelevin. The production of the film became a serious creative test for the actor, since due to independent financing there were long breaks, as a result of which filming lasted about five years.
Vladimir Georgievich Epifantsev in the film “For Marx”
Vladimir regretted for some time that he took part in the production of the project, but still found the strength to hold out until the end and wait for the premiere. The film became an unqualified success and was very warmly received by critics. The role of copywriter Babylon brought popularity to the performer and forced him to change his opinion about the film.
In the action comedy film “ The Bachelor ,” Vladimir Epifantsev played the role of a character who simultaneously copes with two problems. Working undercover, the operative searches for dangerous killers, while a fake wife and son are waiting for him at home, who serve as part of the operative's legend. The hero has to find a common language with them.
Vladimir Georgievich Epifantsev in the film “The New Man”
When creating the film “ Flint ” in the genre of crime drama, Vladimir collaborated with his wife Anastasia Vedenskaya, Sergei Badyuk, Pavel Klimov , as well as Ivan Krasko. The main character is a retired major of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, Shamanov . The hero is the Russian version of the American Rambo, a fighter against corruption in the ranks of law enforcement officers and officials.
Vladimir Georgievich transferred similar images of people in uniform to the screens in the television series “ Orca ” with Olga Lomonosova, “Incorruptible” with Marina Konyashkina , as well as “Our Stranger” with Maria Shukshina. In 2017, he played a supporting role in the comedy film “Kids for Rent.” This film is a continuation of the mystical film “Chernobyl: Exclusion Zone ”, which added to the list of films in the actor’s filmography.
Vladimir Georgievich Epifantsev in the military drama “Indestructible”
The war drama “Indestructible” takes viewers back to the summer of 1942. In addition to Vladimir Georgievich, the main roles in the film about the exploits of Soviet artists were played by Olga Pogodina, Andrei Chernyshov and Sergei Gorobchenko .
Personal life of Vladimir Epifantsev
Volodya’s first wife was Juliet from his student “Romeo and Juliet” - Yulia Stebunova. She participated in his project “Drema” and starred in many of her lover’s videos.
For 11 years, Vladimir Epifantsev was married to actress Anastasia Vedenskaya, a graduate of the Shchukin School (course of Vladimir Poglazov). The wedding took place when she was a second-year student, and Vladimir, who is 13 years older than Anastasia, was just beginning his path to fame.
Vladimir Epifantsev and Anastasia Vedenskaya The couple raised two children - Gordey (born in 2005) and Orpheus (born in 2008).
In the photo: the wife and children of Vladimir Epifantsev At the end of 2009, Epifantsev’s apartment was robbed. Fortunately, no one from the actor’s family was at home at that moment, so no one was hurt. Epifantsev himself was filming in Belarus, and the children were visiting their grandmother. When Anastasia returned late at night from the Mossovet Theater, she discovered that all the jewelry had disappeared from the house, the total value of which the couple estimated at 800 thousand rubles.
In mid-2021, the couple unexpectedly told others about the ins and outs of their relationship. It turned out that they had not lived together for more than a year. Soon Anastasia was caught in a relationship with dancer Dmitry Takshin. However, she was still legally married to Epifantsev. In October 2021, the couple began divorce proceedings. It turned out that by this time Anastasia and Vladimir had already been living separately for three years.
In the spring of 2021, Epifantsev’s name almost ended up at the epicenter of a scandal when 14-year-old Patimat from Dagestan, who had run away from her parents, was found in the actor’s studio in Moscow. It turned out that Vladimir corresponded with the girl through social networks, and when she found herself alone in an unfamiliar city, she did not think long and went to visit him. The actor himself was shocked by this act and called her parents
Vladimir Epifantsev now
In 2021, Epifantsev became the star of the comedy series “New Man.” His hero is a professional hockey player Alexander, who suddenly loses his favorite job for a whole year. Finding himself at the very bottom, he tries to return his ex-wife (Tatyana Arntgolts) and daughter, but faces a rival (Maxim Vitorgan).
Vladimir Epifantsev in the series “New Man”
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Last news
The press reported that the actor spoke about his attitude towards his family. In the conversation, he explained his vision of the family. He believes that now people know little about the family institution.
According to the latest news, Epifantsev’s ex-wife said that she does not allow the children to stay with their father as a guest. She claims that her ex-husband does not regularly help her financially and does not always wish her children happy holidays. According to the latest news about Vladimir Epifantsev in 2021, the actor continues to act in films, the movie “Sergeant” with his participation is being released.
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