People's Artist of the USSR Konstantin Stepankov - the legend of Soviet cinema

July 22, 2004 actor Konstantin Stepankov, whose colorful appearance does not allow to forget his heroes, many of whom were historical characters, died. Having played over a hundred film roles and having all-Union fame, the artist remained true to the Ukrainian land, where his whole life passed.

Actor Konstantin Stepankov: biography

The family significantly influenced the future life of the future national artist. Father was a priest, repressed in the 30s. His real name was Voloshchuk, but his mother, Eugenia Vasilievna, frightened for the children, fictitiously divorced her husband and formalized them for herself. The native land of the actor is the village Pechesky (Khmelnytsky region), which survived the German occupation. Date of birth - 3.06.1928. Mother after the return of the Soviet troops decided to move to Central Asia, but Constantine stayed at home. He had to pass an orphanage, a year to serve on a fishing boat. In memory of the sea on his arms and shoulder remained tattoos, which was not welcomed in the acting environment.

In the hungry postwar period, the young man entered the Agricultural Institute (Uman, Cherkassy region), where he studied for three years. His fate changed the arrival on the tour of the theater. I. Franko, led by Amvrosy Buchma. During the meeting of actors with students, Konstantin Stepankov, whose biography has changed dramatically from now on, read poems from the stage. A. Buchma offered the young man protection when entering the theater institute in Kiev. In fact, he will become his spiritual father, who until the end of the day will be grateful to Konstantin Stepankov.

Biography, the personal life of the actor

After the end of the GITI in 1953, the young man, while waiting for a place in the theater named after I. Franko, will remain in the theater institute. Here, his fateful meeting with 18-year-old student Ada Rogovtseva will take place, together with which they will not live until the golden wedding just a few years. It was love at first sight, which cost the teacher of the party career: he will remain non-partisan, despite the vivid roles of revolutionaries. For a year he will even be removed from teaching, imputing moral decay.

The couple got married when Ada Rogovtseva completed her studies at the institute. Imposant Stepankov, who has become more attractive with the years, was credited with many novels on the side. But in all interviews he always claimed that his only love was and remains his wife. In marriage, two children were born: the son of Constantine in 1962, p. And daughter Ekaterina, 1972 b. Both of them chose the profession of director for themselves .

Elder Son

Konstantin Stepankov (Jr.), whose photo, together with his mother can be seen in the article, has barely outlived his father. Similar to him externally, he grew up in an atmosphere of backstage, not imagining a fate other than acting. He started shooting at the age of 12, and at 17 he already made his debut with his father in the film "Forget the word death", where a small role was written for him specially who owns a sword and confidently sits on a horse. But after the completion of the GITI them. I.K. Karpenko-Kary young man was carried away by direction. In the 90's, specially for the mother, staged the play "Blagodaru" on the stage of the theater. Lesia Ukrainka.

Being a creative person, he wrote poetry. Parents were proud of their son, who was one of the liquidators of the consequences at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. This led to a rethinking of life and enthusiasm for the environment, which he devoted most of the time. In 2012, he passed away from cancer, leaving his wife (choreographer Olga Semeshkina) and a twelve-year-old daughter.

Theatrical career

In the theater named after I. Franko, where Konstantin Stepankov strove so much, he worked for 14 years. Also has left in theater-studio of the actor, having concentrated on a film career. Possessing an irrepressible temperament, magnificent mimicry and tremendous inner energy, the actor did not fit into the melodramatic school of that time. He dreamed of Iago, but of all the Shakespearean roles, only Edgar was able to play in "King Lear". Several brilliant images were created by him in the theater-studio. Among them, the philosopher Xanth in the play "The Fox and the Grapes," amusing himself with arguments with the ingenuous slave Aesop.

Since 1956, he started acting in films, making his debut as Akim in "Pavel Korchagin", but until 1968 he had no serious proposals for which it was worthwhile to leave the stage. This work was the film "The Stone Cross" by Leonid Osyka, where he played not the main, but the most difficult role. A peasant invited for the execution of a thief caught while stealing.

Filmography

In the last years of his life, Konstantin Stepankov, who played in 139 films, including episodes, said that all the roles can be divided according to the principle: those for which they are not ashamed, and all the others. Among the first named: "Stone Cross", "Zakhar Berkut", "Commissioners", "Duma on Kovpak" and "Babylon XX". The best works are related to the historical subject, where he plays uncompromising and obsessed with the idea of revolutionaries. These people are passionate, high-ranking in their party honor. This was Lukachev in the "Commissars", but this was Zhuhrai in "How the Steel Was Tempered", the work of the director N. Mashchenko, which the actor did not mention among the best. But it was thanks to her that the audience of the whole Soviet Union knew him.

Several years were given the role of the national hero Sidor Kovpak. Curiously, he was not even invited to try. He appeared himself, making make-up and appearing before the director T. Levchuk, striking with a portrait resemblance. Today, this is one of his most significant works.

At the film studio. Dovzhenko often hung out schedules for employment of actors. In the 60-70's. Stepankov's rates exceeded 100%. In recent years, he filmed much less often, worrying that the main earner in the family was Ada Rogovtseva.

Last years

Indifferently related to the glory, Konstantin Stepankov moved to Zhovtnevoye village, enjoying fellowship with nature. He cooked meals, engaged in grandchildren and did not think about the forthcoming 75-year anniversary. The wife and children insisted on the celebration. When he entered the House of Cinematographers with a wand, the spectators, who had packed themselves up, gave him a long ovation. The actor did not manage to hold back tears.

He left the life in 76 after a long illness, leaving behind a remarkable film work, included in the gold fund of Soviet and Ukrainian cinema.