Film adaptation of O. Henry’s stories “Business People”. Photo: Frame from the film.
There are many successful examples of how an early start in cinema provided the child with a successful lifelong career (Anna Kamenkova acted in films from the age of 6, Natalya Selezneva – from the age of 7, Svetlana Nemolyaeva – from the age of 8, etc.).
There are many cases when only one role became the breadwinner of the artist’s family for the rest of his life (Yuri and Vladimir Torsuev are still Electronics at the age of 57). But what happened to those who shined in the episode and disappeared?
Sergei Tikhonov (1950 – 1972)
The film adaptation of O. Henry’s stories “Business People” (1962) by Leonid Gaidai was supposed to provide a lifelong career for Seryozha Tikhonov, a chubby-cheeked boy who, at the age of 12, played the leader of the Redskins (Johnny Dorset) in the novel of the same name. In general, this role was supposed to be played by Nadezhda Rumyantseva, who in childhood looked like a boy, but the director eventually approved Tikhonov (although she was voiced by Margarita Korabelnikova).
The “leader of the redskins”, Seryozha Tikhonov, was run over by a tram when he was 21 years old… Photo: Still from the film
At first everything went well: after Gaidaev’s comedy, it was noted, the actor played Plokhish in “The Story of Malchish-Kibalchish” (1964). And at the age of 17, Vovka Utyug in the film “Dubravka” (1967) about the experiences of a teenage girl. This was his last role.
After graduating from school, Tikhonov failed the VGIK exams and served in the army. Shortly after returning from the army, Sergei’s life was tragically cut short: he was hit by a tram when he was 21 years old. He will always remain a small artist in the hearts of the public. On his tombstone at the Khimki cemetery it is written: “Seryozha Tikhonov.”
Vyacheslav Tsarev (1951 – 2006)
“What are you doing here, huh?!” Now the phrase of Slava Tsarev, who played a boy with a net in the comedy “Welcome or not pass” (1964), would become a meme and he himself would be dragged into a television show. Tsarev did not manage to fully realize his comic talent.
Vyacheslav Tsarev was always kind and understanding. Photo: Still from the movie “Welcome or No Trespassing” and youtube.com
The guy with a unique appearance, whom Leonid Gaidai saw on a trolleybus, even ended up with Andrei Tarkovsky in the drama “Andrei Rublev” (1966), where he played the assistant to the foundry workers. Then there were a couple of more little-known episodes (including Larisa Shepitko’s New Year’s TV show), a certificate and three years of service in the navy. Upon his return, Tsarev was no longer recognizable and the directors had forgotten about the guy. He dreamed of acting in films, went to auditions, but worked anywhere: as a security guard, as a janitor or as a factory worker. He married, had a son, but five years later the marriage broke up. He lived with his second wife Lyudmila for almost 30 years until his last days in Butovo, Moscow, he worked as a porter at a boarding school and then became disabled due to a bad leg. According to his friends, he was always kind and understanding. Vyacheslav Tsarev died of a second stroke in 2006, at the age of 55.
Sergei Kudryavtsev (1963 – 2002)
The actor played little Sanya Grigoriev, the main character in the film “Two Captains” (1976), based on the novel by Veniamin Kaverin. The role brought the boy all-Union fame, although he debuted a year earlier in the black and white series “Such a Long Short Life.”
After graduating from school, Sergei became involved in crime. Photo: Frame from the movie “Two Captains” and Frame from the television series “The investigation is carried out by experts”
Despite his penetrating gaze, which could capture close-ups, the directors never appreciated Kudryavtsev’s gift. He played a small role as a servant in the comedy film adaptation of Gogol’s “The Government Inspector” by Leonid Gaidai, the detective story “St. Petersburg Incognito.” He appeared in an episode of the television series “The investigation is carried out by experts.” That’s all. After graduating from school, Sergei became involved in the criminal world and in the late 70s he was sentenced to 9 years. In December 2002, the actor died in an accident. He was 39 years old.
Tatiana Prokhorova (1952 – 1993)
Tatyana married at 18 and “beat” her husband with star complexes. Photo: Frame from the film “Welcome or not to trespass”
Who does not remember the criminal saboteur Mitrofanova, who betrays the boys in Elem Klimov’s comedy “Welcome or No Trespassing” (1964)? The young actress from a good Moscow family played another small role in the children’s drama “Conversation between Men” (1968), together with Vasily Shukshin, Leonid Kuravlev, Vladimir Etush and others. This image turned out to be the last one. Tatyana married at 18, but, as they say, her husband became obsessed with star complexes. The divorce affected her psyche: she entered into an unequal battle with the green snake and lost. According to some reports, the actress even received a criminal record. According to others, she allegedly gave birth to two children. In the early 1980s, Prokhorova sold her Moscow apartment and moved to the region. She died of a stroke at the age of 41.
POSITIVE NOTE
“Petrov” did not become a star like “Vasechkin.” but I’m also happy
Everyone remembers the 1983 musical “The Adventures of Petrov and Vasechkin, Ordinary and Incredible” about pioneer friends Vasya (Dmitry Barkov) and Petya (Egor Druzhinin). And everyone knows what is happening to Druzhinin now: he has become one of the most sought-after choreographers in the country, a regular participant in television shows and a father of three children.
The pioneer Vasya grew up, but his eyes remained the same. Photo: Frame from the film and vk.com.
Dmitry’s life turned out to be not so dazzling. The actor graduated from the famous St. Petersburg LGITMiK theater university (although at the Faculty of Economics) and acted several times in episodes (“Streets of Broken Lanterns”, “National Security Agent”, “Cop Wars”). I organized concerts and corporate events, tried to trade on the stock market.
Since 2009, the artist has been working at the Kinoostrov Talent Development Center in St. Petersburg: he teaches, produces and helps reveal children’s talents. On social networks, Dmitry sometimes posts photos with her adult daughter Masha from her marriage to a classmate: they lived together for 8 years, but then broke up. The status on Barkov’s personal page reads: “Life without magic begins to fade quickly.” He is now 51 years old.
THE NAIS IS OFFICIAL EDITOR ON NAIS NEWS