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Semyon Morozov is a man of his word. Once he promised his wife, actress Marina Lobysheva, who at that time was not approved for any role: “I’ll graduate from VGIK, I’ll become a director, I’ll direct you.” He actually graduated from the directing department. And he took her to his first film. True, the role was small, and the film was not very successful. And Semyon and Marina had not been married at that time for more than 10 years. But still Morozov kept his word.
The future actor was born in Moscow in 1946. Semyon grew up among punks and was himself a hooligan boy.
Introduction to cinema
Semyon Morozov is an actor who first appeared on screens in 1957. Everything happened by chance. A 10-year-old boy and his friends were playing “knives” in the yard. An unfamiliar woman approached him and offered to act in films. It was Tatyana Lyzhina, acting assistant. She was looking for a boy to play the role of Valka in the film “On the Count's Ruins.” Semyon fit the bill perfectly in all respects. The boy coped 100% with the tasks set by the director. The picture gained incredible popularity, especially among children.
Despite the success in the film “On the Count's Ruins,” Morozov was in no hurry to be invited to the filming. In the period from 1960 to early 1962. Several films with his participation were released.
One of Semyon’s largest works was the role of Afanasy in the film “Seven Nurses” (1962). Filming was difficult. Director Rolan Bykov constantly found fault with the young actor, showing him his hostility. But he understood that a better candidate for this role simply could not be found.
Turning the pages of a biography
Semyon Morozov was born in the summer of 1946 in Moscow, into a large large family that lived in one of the disadvantaged areas of the capital. This factor left its mark on the character of the boy, who from early childhood learned to defend his place in the sun with his fists. By the age of 11, the boy knew how to box well and could always stand up for himself. Of course, this son’s behavior caused a lot of trouble for his parents. Looking back from the heights of his years, Semyon Mikhailovich Morozov admits that he never even dreamed of becoming an actor. The acting profession chose him himself. Being a boy with a mathematical mind, he saw himself as a boxer or, at worst, a firefighter, but not an actor.
Semyon Morozov in childhood.
The cinematic history of Semyon Morozov began one spring day in 1957. Once, during one of the exciting boyish games, little Senka was noticed by assistant director Tatyana Lyzhina, who was looking in the Moscow gateways for a candidate for the role of Valka in the film “On the Count's Ruins.” Seeing a group of boys playing knife games, she loudly announced: who among those present wants to act in a movie? The assistant was immediately surrounded by a crowd of guys. Everyone was interested to know what this meant. After all, in the post-war years, barefoot children from a disadvantaged area knew little about cinema. However, they intuitively tried their best to please the “film lady.” However, the woman’s attention was attracted by a blond boy who never moved from his place and continued to play - he had to win this time at all costs. Otherwise, having lost, he would again have to pull matches out of the sand with his teeth. (These were the terms of the game for the losers.) Apparently that’s why, when the assistant touched his shoulder, he literally hissed: “Get your hands off, grandma!” And when the woman said that she was going to meet the tomboy’s parents, he immediately realized that he smelled something fried. Senka began tearfully begging “auntie” and saying that it wouldn’t happen again. The young hooligan had a lot of experience in this matter, since Senka Morozov often and often became the hero of various scandals, and the tomboy often had to twist and dodge. However, the “aunty from the movie” was determined. And not because the boy was rude to her, but because he seemed like a suitable candidate for the role.
Semyon Morozov as Valka in the film “On the Count's Ruins.”
Semyon's frightened mother, with grief, gave her consent to the filming, but immediately warned about the complex character of her son and even expressed fear that he might burn down the film studio, since he had previously had a passion for playing with fire. Senka, of course, didn’t burn down the studio, although he was incredibly upset when he heard that he didn’t pass the audition. And it all happened because, having found himself on the set under the powerful spotlight, he pronounced his text with his eyes practically closed, and when he tried to open them, tears flowed in a stream. Alas, such is the cost of being an actor, who is literally blinded by light so that he looks great on camera. So, our hero, having heard that he was not suitable for the role, threw an incredible hysteria with tears and screams in the director’s face that he would still act in the movie. And already near the exit from the studio, another director of the film caught up with the mother with a tearful Semyon and said that if the boy was so determined, then everything would work out for him. As a result, 11-year-old Semka learned not to pay attention to the dazzling spotlight, and the filming of the film was successfully completed. And the young star Semyon Morozova shone brightly on the horizon of Russian cinema. By the way, according to the actor Semyon Morozov himself, he experienced fear of the spotlight almost his entire creative life. Despite the success of the film “On the Count's Ruins,” the directors were in no hurry to invite Semyon Morozov to filming. In the next five years, he only starred in the short film “Last Summer” (role – Grisha) and played a small role as the son of Samoil Petelkin in the film “Bread and Roses” directed by Fyodor Filippov. Perhaps he would not have been remembered again if not for Her Majesty’s fate.
Career continuation
After graduating from high school, our hero entered VGIK. In 1968, he was awarded the long-awaited diploma. Soon he got a job at the Theater-Studio of a Film Actor. The young artist continued to act in films. The images he created were bright and realistic. But they were poorly remembered by the audience.
When did Semyon Morozov gain all-Union fame? The actor was approved for the main role in the film “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev.” The film was released in 1970. A blond guy in a military uniform won the hearts of millions of spectators. Since then, the role of Corporal Zbruev has been the actor’s calling card.
Comedy "Seven Nurses" (1962)
A still from the comedy “Seven Nurses.” Semyon Morozov as Afanasy Polosukhin.
The next successful work of 16-year-old schoolboy Semyon Morozov was the role of Afanasy Polosukhin in the star comedy “Seven Nannies” by Rolan Bykov, during the auditions in which Semyon managed to displace Nikita Mikhalkov himself and Valery Ryzhakov, also beginning artists. All three at that time had minimal experience working in films. However, unexpectedly, the artistic council sided with Semyon Morozov - they found his test the most convincing. And then a complex relationship between the young actor and director Bykov, who did not see Semyon in this role, began to develop. But since the film was the debut in Rolan Antonovich’s career as a director, he could not change the decision of the commission that approved candidates for the roles. All he could do was obey. The filming was very difficult, Bykov showed his hostility towards Morozov with all his appearance. Every day the atmosphere became tense and finally resulted in a huge scandal. After another unsuccessful take, Bykov literally pulled Semyon aside and said all sorts of unpleasant barbs to him, and in conclusion he completely pushed Morozov in the chest. Of course, our hero, who had seven years of boxing training, could not tolerate such harshness, and especially assault. He hit the director in the forehead so that he flew about three meters away and fell to the floor. Senka grabbed the pickaxe in his hands and literally rushed at Bykov. However, he jumped to his feet with lightning speed and shouted: “Amazing! Can you play like this?!”
Morozov, taken aback, just nodded and went to the set. The episode was filmed, where Semyon was tightly gripping the pickaxe in his hand. Later, Rolan Bykov scolded the assistants who did not think of snatching the pickaxe from Semyon’s hands before making a double. The episode had to be reshot. But after this day, the relationship between the actor and the director changed dramatically for the better.
Stills from the comedy “Seven Nurses.” Semyon Morozov as Afanasy Polosukhin.
The film about a difficult teenager was successfully filmed in 1962; it attracted 26 million viewers, making it into the top ten best films of the year. Rolan Bykov became successful as a director, the comedy was dismantled into quotes, and the doors to Soviet cinema opened wide for the Moscow young actor Semyon Morozov. In 1965, after graduating from school, our hero had no choice but to take the documents to VGIK. He was enrolled in the course of Boris Bibikov and Olga Pyzhova. And four years later, leaving there as a certified actor, he was enrolled in the staff of the Theater-Studio of a Film Actor. The artist’s cinematic biography continued during his student years. In the 1960s, films with his participation “Tatiana’s Day” and “Accused of Murder” were released on screens across the country.
Achievements
Today, Semyon Morozov’s creative repertoire includes over 65 roles in TV series and feature films. He is not only an actor, but also a director.
In 2010, he was awarded the Russian Government Prize in the field of culture. Thus, Semyon Mikhailovich was noted for creating a humorous film magazine for children “Yeralash”. Not everyone knows that he is related to the creation of this project.
The film comedy “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev” is the calling card of Semyon Morozov
It so happened that the peak of Semyon Mikhailovich’s acting career occurred in the 1960s and 70s, it was at that time that he starred in stunning, nationally famous films – “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev” (1970) and “Allow Takeoff” (1971) , where he showed himself brilliantly in the leading roles.
Still from the comedy “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev.” (1970).
Let us remind you that “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev” is a comedic story about how a handsome naive soldier with Napoleonic plans and youthful maximalism, Kostya, after being transferred to the reserve, goes on a voyage across the country in search of the most beautiful bride. He has seven photos, seven addresses, and a great desire to find the one. The guy, although naive, is quite rational. You understand what happens when, as they say, you chase two hares. And here there are already seven of them... The film turned out to be bright, colorful and funny. It's hard to believe that exactly half a century has passed since its creation.
Still from the comedy “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev.” (1970).
And if anyone hasn’t had a chance to see this comedy, be sure to give it your attention. Look at the life of the 60s, at the first beauties of cinema in their youth, at the picturesque expanses of the once vast Soviet Union. Laugh heartily and sympathize with the main character. And finally, find out which of the seven beauties “got” him as his bride. Let us recall that the roles of the brides were played by the stars of Russian cinema - Natalya Varley, Elena Solovey, Marianna Vertinskaya. And also Leonid Kuravlev in the role of a clergyman.
Still from the comedy “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev.” (1970).
At the 1971 box office, “The Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev” took 11th place, attracting 31.2 million viewers. And the role of Corporal Kostya Zbruev has since become the actor’s calling card, leaving, to some extent, a negative imprint on the future acting career of Semyon Morozov. The directors did not offer the artist typical roles, but preferred to exploit the successfully found image of a simple, ingenuous, charming guy. No one decided to take a risk and use the actor in a different role. After the dizzying success of the comedy “Seven Brides...”, Semyon Morozov starred in the leading role in the film “Allow Takeoff”, paired with Anatoly Papanov himself, which was also a great success at the box office.
Still from the movie “Allow Takeoff.”
In 1972, our hero had to serve his military service as a private in the Taman division. And just six months after his conscription, he was sent to Moscow with instructions to bring a gift to the artist Papanov for his fiftieth anniversary - a portrait in the form of a wolf. Conscript soldier Semyon Morozov had no idea what an amazing chance fate had in store for him. When Semyon arrived at the Satire Theater, where Anatoly Dmitrievich served, the chief director himself, Valentin Pluchek, invited Morozov to join his theater. Here it is, one hundred percent chance! However, the fly in the ointment was not long in coming. A little-known young actor immediately approached Morozov and whispered sarcastically in his ear: “Senya, you won’t have a life here, Mironov is here...”
. The caustic words literally burned into Semyon’s consciousness. Therefore, having been demobilized, he did not dare to accept Pluchek’s tempting offer, which he greatly regrets to this day.
Semyon Morozov in the film “The Tale of How Tsar Peter Married a Blackamoor.”
And then, it seemed, he was destined for an enviable acting fate, films with his participation were released one after another: “Front without Flanks,” “Three Days in Moscow,” “In the Good Old Guys.” And more and more often the idea of switching from acting to directing flashed in the actor’s head. One incident served as the impetus for drastic measures. Morozov's first wife, Marina Lobysheva-Ganchuk, also an actress, was once removed from her role without explaining the reasons. The woman could not come to her senses for a long time. The impulsive Semyon Morozov immediately promised his beloved that he would become a director and film her in each of his films. No sooner said than done. As a result, in 1979, Semyon Mikhailovich also received a diploma from the directing department, where he studied the craft with Georgy Danelia himself. However, things didn’t work out with my wife - after living under the same roof for seven years, they separated.
Still from the film “The Enchanted Lot”. (2006).
But the director’s diploma really helped Semyon in the 90s, when the lull in the film industry derailed the careers of many actors. Having shot his only full-length film, “The Incident in Utinoozersk,” he did not fight for survival in the field of cinema for adults. In the early nineties, as fate would have it, Semyon Morozov entered the children’s film magazine “Yeralash” and stayed there forever. Since 1990 - director, screenwriter and actor of the children's humorous film magazine "Yeralash". As of 2021, he has directed 95 stories and written 18 stories as a screenwriter. His methods of working with young actors whom the director films in his stories are legendary.
Actor Semyon Morozov: personal life
Our hero has always been popular with representatives of the opposite sex. In his youth, the blond man with a radiant smile regularly received anonymous letters with declarations of love.
How many times was Semyon Morozov married? The actor went to the registry office three times. He first got married while a student. His chosen one was classmate Marina Lyubysheva, who came from Mariupol. Syoma fell in love with her at first sight. He beautifully and persistently courted the girl. As a result, Marina agreed to become his soulmate. In the third year, the couple got married. The celebration turned out to be modest. However, the eyes of the bride and groom shone with happiness. Marina and Semyon lived together for 7 years. But over time, their feelings faded. In 1976, they officially divorced.
How long has actor Semyon Morozov been a bachelor? His personal life soon improved. The actor began an affair with make-up artist Svetlana. For some time they were in a civil marriage. And when our hero found out that his beloved was pregnant, he proposed to her. In this marriage a son, Mikhail, was born.
New love
In 1978, the actor met a charming girl, Svetlana. This happened on the set of the Soviet-Bulgarian film “Have Love in Half”. 16-year-old Sveta was a member of the crowd. A beautiful girl with a daring character immediately attracted the attention of our hero.
Despite her young age, Sveta has already been seen in several love stories. Maxim Dunaevsky wanted to marry her. And the girl also had an affair with Vladimir Vysotsky.
At first, Semyon treated Svetlana as a good friend. After all, he was legally married and raised his son Misha. However, the happy family life soon ended. He began to hear rumors that his wife was unfaithful to him. Allegedly, she is having fun in the company of gentlemen while her husband is on set. The actor did not start a scandal. He just filed for divorce. The wife packed her things, took her son and left. Our hero exchanged his spacious apartment on Orekhovoy Boulevard. He provided his ex-wife and son with a room in a communal apartment. And he himself moved to a separate small apartment. The offended wife forbade Semyon to see their common child.
The famous artist and the girl Sveta have been friends for 7 years. It was she who pulled him out of the depression caused by the divorce. One day, the 24-year-old beauty told him: “Marry me.” The actor did not want to remarry. But for the sake of love for Sveta, he stepped over himself. The couple went to the registry office. After some time, their daughter Nadenka was born.
Serious illness
When Morozov’s voice suddenly became hoarse, he did not attach much importance to it. Indeed, recently the artist has often starred in “Jumble”. There were dozens of restless children on the same playground with him. At any moment he could tear the ligaments.
Every day Semyon Mikhailovich's condition worsened. At first he was overcome by a cough, then pain appeared in the throat area. The young wife managed to persuade the actor to undergo examination at one of the capital’s clinics. He was given a terrible diagnosis - throat cancer. Semyon Morozov was prescribed several chemotherapy treatments. He experienced unbearable pain. The man tried not to let his wife and daughter see his tears or hear his groans. But this did not always work out.
Change of world view
It was the illness that forced the actor to look at many things differently. First of all, he realized his guilt towards his son. One day Mikhail called him and said: “You have become a grandfather. My daughter was born."
Semyon Morozov is an actor who has always considered himself a believer. During his illness, he constantly turned to God with prayers. He wanted to survive in order to correct the mistakes he had made in the past.
Semyon Morozov (actor) was able to cope with such a terrible disease as cancer. The date of death, God willing, has been postponed for many years. For several years now, our hero has not known what a sore throat and chemotherapy procedures are.
Victory over cancer
In 2008, Morozov was diagnosed with throat cancer. Moreover, it was completely accidental and already at the third stage. And it all started with a banal thing. Oncology developed after a small fish bone stuck into the actor’s tonsil. “I felt good, but my throat hurt like a sore throat for several months, so we went to the doctor. It turned out that the third stage was already underway.”
,” the actor said after a while.
Semyon Mikhailovich Morozov is a film actor and director.
Fortunately, he got lucky. “Miraculously, I got to a good doctor, and they started strong treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation, but it all helped.”
, Morozov explained. Doctors saved Semyon Mikhailovich, and now he is completely healthy. Of course, this was preceded by a very long rehabilitation. Having overcome the illness, Morozov established a relationship with his son, the feeling of guilt about whom haunted him all his life. Next year Semyon Mikhailovich will celebrate his 75th birthday. And we can only wish for new creative achievements both in the field of directing and in acting roles.
