Olga Vladimirovna Volkova, a renowned Russian actress, was born on April 15, 1939, in Leningrad, USSR, which is now known as St. Petersburg, Russia. Her grandfather, Ivan Volsky, was a legendary Russian actor who played a significant role in her introduction to the world of theatre.
As a young woman, Olga Volkova was mentored by Alisa Freyndlikh, who brought her to Mariya Prizvan-Sokolova's Acting Studio in Leningrad. This marked the beginning of her journey in the theatre world. From 1957 to 1970, she was a permanent member of the Theatre for Young Audience in Leningrad, working under the direction of Zinovi Korogodsky. Her stage partners during this period included notable actors such as Antonina Shuranova and Aleksandr Khochinsky.
In 1965, Olga Volkova made her film debut, and soon she became recognized as an actress with a unique talent for playing complex characters both on stage and in film. She went on to appear in over 50 Russian films, collaborating with renowned directors such as Eldar Ryazanov on some of her most notable projects.
From 1976 to 1996, Olga Volkova was a permanent member of the prestigious Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT) in St. Petersburg, where she was invited by director Georgi Tovstonogov. During her time at the BDT, she worked alongside some of the most talented Russian actors of her era, including Alisa Freyndlikh, Kirill Lavrov, Oleg Basilashvili, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Vsevolod Kuznetsov, Gennadiy Bogachyov, Andrey Tolubeev, and many others. Her performances in plays such as 'Pickwick Club' by Charles Dickens and 'Na Dne' (The Lower Depths) by Maxim Gorky were highly acclaimed.
Olga Volkova's contributions to the world of theatre were recognized when she was designated the title of People's Artist of Russia in 1993. In 1996, she relocated to Moscow to join her son, actor Ivan Volkov, and daughter-in-law, actress Chulpan Khamatova. Her acting career continued to flourish, with notable performances in stage productions such as 'Zhelezny Klass' in 1999, opposite Sergey Yurskiy.
Currently residing in Moscow, Russia, Olga Vladimirovna Volkova remains an active and respected figure in the Russian theatre and film community.
