Yuri Yakovlev is a renowned Russian actor, most notably recognized for his iconic roles in Soviet comedies, including 'Ironiya sydby', 'Ivan Vasilevich', and 'Kin-dza-dza!' (1986).
Born Yuri Vasilevich Yakovlev on April 25, 1928, in Moscow, Soviet Union, he was the son of Vasili Vasilevich Yakovlev, a lawyer, and Olga Mikhailovna Ivanova, a homemaker. Yakovlev's passion for acting and theatre began at a young age.
From 1948 to 1952, he studied acting at the prestigious Shchukin Theatrical School of Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow, where he honed his craft alongside other notable actors.
Since 1952, Yuri Yakovlev has been a member of the esteemed troupe at Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow, where he has shared the stage with a plethora of talented actors, including Mikhail Ulyanov, Ruben Simonov, Boris Zakhava, Mikhail Astangov, Varvara Popova, Irina Kupchenko, Natalya Tenyakova, Yuliya Borisova, Lyudmila Maksakova, Lyudmila Tselikovskaya, Marianna Vertinskaya, Nina Ruslanova, Nikolai Plotnikov, Vasiliy Lanovoy, Vladimir Etush, Vyacheslav Shalevich, Andrei Abrikosov, Grigori Abrikosov, Boris Babochkin, Nikolai Gritsenko, Nikolai Timofeyev, Aleksandr Grave, Evgeniy Karelskikh, Sergey Makovetskiy, and Ruben Simonov, among others.
Yakovlev's most memorable stage performances include the roles of Triletsky in 'Play without a title', Karenin in 'Anna Karenina', and the title role in 'Kasanova'. He has also delivered acclaimed performances as Pantalone in Carlo Gozzi's comedy 'Princess Turandot', a role he has played since 1963.
He gained widespread recognition with his leading role as Prince Myshkin in 'The Idiot' (1958) by director Ivan Pyrev. During the 1960s to 1980s, Yakovlev was one of the most popular actors in the Soviet Union, known for his iconic roles in films such as 'Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession' (1973) and 'The Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!' (1976).
Throughout his illustrious career, Yuri Yakovlev has received numerous accolades, including the designation of People's Actor of the USSR, the State Prizes of the USSR and Russia, the Order of Lenin (1988),the Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1978),and numerous awards and decorations for his works on stage and in film.
In his personal life, Yakovlev is married to Irina Leonidovna Sergeeva, and the couple has two sons and a daughter. Outside of his acting profession, he is an avid reader of classical Russian literature and enjoys listening to classical music with his friends and family.
In 1997, Yakovlev published his book titled 'Albom sudby moyey' (aka 'The album of my destiny'). He currently resides with his family in Moscow, Russia.
