Yuriy Tolubeev

Biography

Yuri Vladimirovich Tolubeev (Yuri Tolubeyev) was born on May 1, 1905, in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1929 he graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Theatrical Arts as an actor. From 1926-1979 Tolubeyev worked as an actor and director with various theatres in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), mainly with the Pushkin Drama Theatre (Aleksandrinski Theatre). Tolubeev's film career began in 1935 with a supporting role of Sailor Andrei in 'Sovershennoletie' (Coming of Age) by director 'Boris Shreiber'. Tolubeev was best known for his roles in the films of director Grigoriy Kozintsev. Their collaboration began with the work in 'The Return of Maksim' (1937). Later Tolubeev played Sacho Panza in 'Don Quixote' (1957), where his partner was Nikolay Cherkasov. His best known film role was Polonius in the legendary 'Hamlet' (1964), where his film partners were Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy, Mikhail Nazvanov, Anastasiya Vertinskaya and other remarkable Russian actors. From 1942-1979 Yuri Tolubeev worked with the Pushkin Drama Theatre (Aleksandrinski Theatre) in Leningrad (St. Petersburg). He was invited to the troupe of the oldest Russian Drama Theatre by his acting teacher Leonid Vivyen. Tolubeev was among the leading actors of the Pushkin Drama Theatre. There his stage partners were such remarkable actors as Nikolay Cherkasov, Nikolai Simonov, Konstantin Skorobogatov, Aleksandr Borisov, Vasiliy Merkurev, Bruno Frejndlikh, Vladimir Chestnokov, Vladimir Erenberg, Leonid Vivyen, Igor Gorbachyov, Olga Lebzak, Nina Mamaeva, Lidiya Shtykan, Nina Urgant, Valentina Panina, and other notable Russian actors. Yuri Tolubeev was awarded the State prize of the USSR in 1947, and also received numerous awards and decorations for his works in theatre and film. He was honored with the title of the People's Artist of the USSR (1964). Yuri Tolubeev died on December 28, 1979, in Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Russia, and was laid to rest in the "Literatorskie mostki" Necropolis of The Masters of Art at Volkovskoe Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Russia.