Alexander Kuznetsov: biography
The famous Russian actor Alexander Kuznetsov, famous for his role as Jack Vosmerkin, was born in the seaside village of Petrovka in December 1959. Alexander’s parents had nothing to do with art - his father was an engineer by profession, and his mother worked as a literature teacher.
During his school years, Sasha Kuznetsov showed a penchant for exact sciences, so the guy studied at a physics and mathematics school. Having successfully completed it, he went to the capital and easily entered the Moscow Aviation Institute, choosing the Faculty of Radio Electronics of Aircraft.
Alexander Kuznetsov now
But in Moscow, Alexander Kuznetsov suddenly realized for the first time that he was irresistibly drawn to art: the “techie” unexpectedly discovered the captivating world of theater and cinema. The future actor began attending classes at the student theater studio. And the more Sasha visited them, the more clearly he understood that the art of acting was his destiny.
In his last year at an aviation university, Kuznetsov no longer had any doubts: he had chosen the wrong path. Therefore, the young man left the institute without regret and went to enter the famous Shchukin School. He entered on the first attempt and was enrolled in the course of talented teachers T.K. Kopteva and V.V. Ivanov.
Alexander Kuznetsov in his youth
In 1985, Alexander Kuznetsov received a diploma of higher theater education. At that time, he had already been working for a year in the troupe of the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya, where he was accepted when he was a third-year student.
Alexander Kuznetsov and Lyudmila Sobko
Alexander first married actress Lyudmila Sobko; the young people met at the “Comrade” propaganda theater. The girl was 2 years younger than her chosen one.
Alexander Kuznetsov and Lyudmila Sobko
She graduated from GITIS, but was unable to work in her profession for several years. Despite the fact that the marriage did not last long due to Alexander’s new hobby, the couple managed to have a child.
Danila, eldest son of Alexander Kuznetsov
The first son of actor Alexander Kuznetsov is Danila, he is a businessman, lives in Los Angeles, and is not married. At the moment, Danila is more focused on business development. Daniel communicated with his father until his last days; he often came to visit his son.
Theater
In 1984, third-year student Alexander Kuznetsov brilliantly played the role of Lopotukhin in Lev Durov’s production of “And Still She Turns.” The performance was a huge success, and the aspiring actor was noticed. In the same year, Kuznetsov was entrusted with the role of Ushasty in the production of “Two Arrows” based on Alexander Volodin.
Alexander Kuznetsov in the theater
Two years later, on the stage of the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya, the premiere of the production “Kolya who loves you” took place, in which Alexander Kuznetsov got the role of the Adjutant. Critics and theatergoers received the performance enthusiastically.
The artist appeared on the stage of the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya until 1989.
Movies
The cinematic biography of Alexander Kuznetsov began in the first year of “Pike”: he starred in an episode of the film “Heavenly Paths”. But they noticed and fell in love with the artist after the release of director Sergei Ovcharov’s film “The Never-Never” in 1983. This sensational project should be considered Kuznetsov’s real debut in cinema.
Alexander played the village simpleton Neznam, but the fate of the film turned out to be difficult: the film was called anti-Soviet, and Goskino officials decided to destroy the negative. The film was saved thanks to the efforts of the famous director Gleb Panfilov.
Alexander Kuznetsov as Jack Vosmerkin
In 1986, Alexander Kuznetsov learned what real, deafening fame was: Yevgeny Tatarsky’s cult film “Jack Vosmerkin - “American”” was released on the screens, in which the young actor played a starring role. As it turned out later, the film was prophetic for Kuznetsov, because a few years after its release, Alexander actually ended up in the USA.
The film was innovative in many ways, because it was released during perestroika and told Soviet people about private entrepreneurship and an entrepreneur who works on his own farm. Critics called the picture a sign of its time.
Alexander Kuznetsov in the film “Primorsky Boulevard”
After the tremendous success of Jack Vosmerkin, the actor played leading roles in the films “Primorsky Boulevard” and “Aelita, Don’t Molest Men.” Both films were warmly received by audiences and film critics, and the artist’s career rapidly developed upward.
Hollywood
At this moment, right at takeoff, Alexander Kuznetsov unexpectedly left the Soviet Union and went to work in the USA. He was invited to star in the 13-episode American project “Alaska Kid” based on the work of Jack London and the full-length film “The Ice Runner.”
Alexander Kuznetsov, while filming the latest film, again visited Moscow briefly: the film director decided to film one of the scenes on Red Square. This was the period when the State Emergency Committee broke out in Moscow. The actor at that time was renting an apartment on Smolenskaya Square and found himself in the very epicenter of events - he visited the barricades several times.
Alexander Kuznetsov in the film “Peacemaker”
After filming ended, Alexander Kuznetsov returned to America, which he was very happy about, because in the 90s, domestic cinema plunged into a deep crisis.
In Los Angeles, the actor starred in several more projects, among which the most striking were the TV series Beverly Hills 90210.
, NYPD Blue , Destroyer , Peacemaker and Space Cowboys . His partners on the set were real Hollywood stars such as Clint Eastwood, Sylvester Stallone, Nicole Kidman and George Clooney.
Alexander Kuznetsov in the film “Ice Runner”
In the USA, Kuznetsov attended classes at the famous acting schools of Darel Hickman and Lee Strazberg. In 1995, Alexander Kuznetsov founded his international acting school, International Actors School, and was repeatedly invited to conduct acting and directing training at other schools in Los Angeles.
The stars are nearby
For Kuznetsov it was thorny. I had to improve my English to the level where I was no longer ashamed to go on stage. And still he did not grab the stars from the sky. He remained a Russian emigrant. Whose destiny is mainly the roles of former compatriots.
Fortunately, Alexander managed to get into decent Hollywood projects. In the USSR, he starred with Evstigneev, Gundareva, Dzhigarkhanyan, Gaft. In America, he worked on the same set with Sylvester Stallone, George Clooney, Clint Eastwood, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, Robert Duvall, Sandra Bullock... And meeting Meryl Streep simply changed his life. A private conversation resulted in an acting lesson. Which he then generously shared with his students.
“I have never felt disdain for myself because I am Russian,” said Alexander. Sometimes the entire film crew applauded him. It happened that his episode was filmed in the first take. And when he uttered one phrase “Yes, ah no” in front of the camera (they didn’t offer anything else!), director Clint Eastwood decided to change the script and extended the contract for a whole month. At Warner Bros. studio!
In short, for a person not born in America, everything was going well. Alexander attended acting schools. Then he started teaching himself. He went to the registry office again, choosing as his wife the Russian emigrant Anna Aitova, whom he met on the set. The third son was born - Ivan...
However, this marriage was not destined to last long - Anna found a replacement for Alexander. He believed “it is natural that partners outgrow each other. We grow up, we get wiser, we change.” One thing was upsetting: at first Anna forbade him to see his son. But then everything got better, Alexander enjoyed spending time with the baby. In addition, from the age of 14, the elder Daniil lived with him in Los Angeles...
Alexander Kuznetsov today
After 18 years of living in America, the actor decided to return to Russia. Kuznetsov taught at the Moscow Art Theater School and founded his own acting school, “Forge of Cinema and Television.”
Today, Alexander Kuznetsov is again a sought-after actor: he starred a lot in feature films and TV series. The most striking projects with his participation that have appeared on screens recently are the films “Capercaillie. Continuation", "Karpov", "Mushroom Tsar", "Freud's Method", "Almond Flavor of Love" and "I Remember Everything".
Alexander Kuznetsov in the film “Provocateur”
The film “I Remember Everything” is a melodramatic series by Stanislav Nazirov, in which Alexander Kuznetsov starred with Olga Aksenova, Artyom Osipov and Valeria Burduzha. The film appeared on screens in 2013, but a new surge of interest in this project occurred in 2017, when the series was released on the Russia-1 channel.
In 2021, Russia-1 premiered another series with the participation of a popular artist called “Sun as a Gift,” in which Alexander Kuznetsov played a key role.
Alexander Kuznetsov now
Fans of this charismatic and talented actor will not be left without a pleasant surprise in 2021: the adventure series by Vyacheslav Lisnevsky “Project Gemini” will be released. Kuznetsov got a supporting role - the artist played Senator Reigert.
Today, Alexander Konstantinovich Kuznetsov delights his fans not only with film roles - he has again entered the theater stage. In 2011, the premiere of the play “The Seagull” by Robert Manukyan took place on the stage of the Cinema Actor Theater. Alexander Kuznetsov played Trigorin. The following year, two new productions with Kuznetsov’s participation appeared in the theater’s repertoire - “A Wonderful Life” and “Truffaldino from Bergamo”.
Return
And suddenly, having lived in America for 18 years, Alexander began an epic journey of... returning to his homeland. The role of Jack Vosmerkin became prophetic for him.
He already lived mainly in Moscow. But I still flew to Hollywood for work. Although in Russia they began to actively invite him to filming. Performances appeared at the Film Actor Theater. Kuznetsov founded an international film school, launched a reality show, conducted trainings, and taught at the Moscow Art Theater School. I was also involved in business... It feels like I was in a hurry. I wanted to make the most of it. Even though the return home was forced: business near Nizhny Novgorod, divorce in the USA, mother’s illness in Moscow...
Maybe he took on an unbearable burden? How else can we perceive the blatant injustice that a bright, kind man, a strong, healthy man who went in for sports, yoga and tango, ended his earthly journey at 59 years old?
After all, there was a beloved woman (Kristina Tatarenkova from the advertising business). And, it seems, he was happy. Seven and a half years...
At some point, having returned to Moscow, Kuznetsov thought about returning to Rutberg (she had difficulties with Anatoly Lobotsky then). “I thought that I would hardly meet a better woman... I tested the waters very carefully, but it was not possible to enter the same river a second time.”
In 2012, he admitted that he was preparing for his wedding with Christina. That same year, Grisha's son gave birth to his first grandson... Everything went on as usual. Maybe even better than many.
Personal life
This talented artist not only had a career, but also a tumultuous personal life. For the first time, Alexander Kuznetsov married his classmate and colleague Lyudmila Sobko. The couple had a fun student wedding, but soon separated: after graduating from theater school, the young actors plunged headlong into building a career, relegating their family to the background, and then to the background.
Alexander Kuznetsov with his first wife Lyudmila Sobko
For a long time, Kuznetsov was immersed in work; there was no time left for his personal life. But at one point, Alexander met the talented and charming Yulia Rutberg on the set. A romance broke out, which soon culminated in an official marriage.
The wife gave her husband their first child, whom they named Grisha. But work again took away the actor’s personal life and family: due to frequent filming, the couple saw each other less and less. And when Alexander Kuznetsov decided to stay in the USA, Yulia Rutberg and her son refused to leave Russia, considering it impossible to act in American cinema.
Alexander Kuznetsov and Yulia Rutberg
According to unconfirmed reports, Alexander Kuznetsov created his third family with a Russian emigrant and his colleague, whom he met while filming in America. His wife gave birth to his second son, Ivan. But the birth of a child did not save this marriage.
The artist does not like to talk about his personal life, so it is impossible to say with certainty how many children he has.
Alexander Kuznetsov and Kristina Tatarenkova
Today Alexander Kuznetsov is happy and in love again: in 2011 he met his love - the beautiful Kristina Tatarenkova. The girl works in the advertising business and has nothing to do with cinema.
Not long ago it became known that the artist was going to the registry office again. Viewers were able to get to know his better half better in the summer of 2016: the popular program “While Everyone is Home” visited Alexander Kuznetsov and his fiancee Kristina Tatarenkova.
Fans of the artist are convinced that their favorite is full of creative plans and is at a wonderful mature age, which perfectly combines acting skills, experience and an understanding of where to move next.
In December 2017, Kuznetsov will turn 58 years old.
Habit of getting married
It was a sin for Alexander to complain - he received love in full. They say that women fell in front of him and “stacked themselves in piles.” A tall, gray-eyed, blond man with a piercing gaze and magnetic charm, Kuznetsov probably knew how to create a life for his loved ones that was pleasant in all respects. And how many women he had, hardly anyone can say for sure.
Officially he was married three times. I walked down the aisle for the first time at the age of 21 with actress Lyudmila Sobko (they played together in the “Comrade” propaganda theater). The marriage produced a son, Daniel. But soon Alexander fell in love with fellow student Zhanna Tokarskaya. And in the fourth year, 19-year-old Yulia Rutberg appeared. He graduated from Shchuka, she just entered. And immediately... “fell in love.”
“There is a tradition at the school: the first year is served by the fourth,” Yulia told me years later. “We ironed their costumes and set up decorations. In a word, they communicated so closely that three first-year girls immediately fell in love with the fourth-year students. After which Ksyusha Strizh with Igor Minaev and Sasha and I got married, and Kolya Stotsky and Ira Klimova were close to this... Nevertheless, everyone later separated.
It was, of course, impossible to predict this. Sasha and Yulia organized a real student wedding: with skits, congratulations, and cheerful revelry. We lived with Yulia’s parents on Smolenskaya Square - opposite the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They studied, worked (Kuznetsov, while still a student at Shchuka, ended up at the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya), gave birth to Grisha. And they were happy...
