Jüri Krjukov

Jüri Krjukov (5 September 1954 – 18 October 1997) was an Estonian actor.

Early life and education Jüri Krjukov was born in Tallinn to Igor Krjukov, an engineer of Russian origin, and Maria Krjukov (née Pirson), who was Estonian. He had an older brother Oleg, seven years his senior. When he was six-months-old, his father died and his mother supported the family by working as a hairdresser.

In 1968, aged fourteen, Krjukov made his film debut in a starring role as Ilmar, an Estonian boy in the Pioneer organization, in the Aleksandr Kurochkin directed Russian language children's film Passenger from the "Equator". After filming, he returned to his studies at the Tallinn Secondary School No. 7 (now, Tallinn English College), graduating in 1972. His diploma production roles were as Kägu in August Kitzberg's Kosjasõit and Director in Luigi Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author.

Krjukov garnered more prominent film roles in the 1980s; the first (albeit still somewhat small role) of the decade being in the 1983 Valentin Kuik directed Tallinnfilm biopic Lurich, based on the life of Estonian wrestler and strongman Georg Lurich. Other film appearances of the decade included a small role in the 1984 Helle Murdmaa directed fantasy film Karoliine hõbelõng, as Hans Metten in the 1984 Olav Neuland directed period adventure film Hundiseaduse aegu, and a starring role as Estonian communist politician Viktor Kingissepp in the Kaljo Kiisk directed 1986 historical drama Saja aasta pärast mais. Krjukov had previously portrayed Viktor Kingissepp in the 1981 two-part television drama film Kaks päeva Viktor Kingissepa elust, directed by Tõnis Kask and airing on Eesti Televisioon.

Notable film roles of the 1990s included that of Timur in the Peeter Simm directed crime-comedy Ameerika mäed (1994) and as a Bolshevik in the 1997 Hardi Volmer comedy Minu Leninid (1997).

Krjukov also had a lengthy career in film as a voice actor, appearing roles in a number of animated films. Some notable animated film roles include Naksitrallid II (1987), Eine murul (1987), Linn (1988), Naksitrallid (1990), Setu vurle küüsis (1993), Kapsapea (1993), Tom ja Fluffy (1997) and Kapsapea 2 ehk Tagasi Euroopasse (1997).

In 1982, he followed with the role of Esko Trahter in the television drama film Musta katuse all, again directed by Kerge and based on the 1959 novel Lea by Juhan Smuul.

The following year, he was once more directed by Kerge for the role of Arnold Pete in the television film Enn Vetemaa kinovariatsioonid teemal "Püha Susanna ehk meistrite kool", an adaptation of the 1974 Enn Vetemaa penned play Püha Susanna ehk Meistrite kool. In 1985, he was chosen by Kerge to appear as Mustafa in the television film Savoy ball, an adaptation of Paul Abraham's 1932 operetta Ball im Savoy. Krjukov had previously played the role onstage at the Estonian Drama Theatre in 1982.

In the 1990s, Krjukov began appearing in several roles on television series. From 1993 until 1995, he appeared on the ETV television drama series Salmonides. In 1995, he appeared as Mr. Sirkel in the twelve-part ETV historical drama series Wikmani poisid, based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Jaan Kross. In 1995, he began appearing as Milord on the TV3 comedy series M Klubi, which moved to ETV after the first series and ran until 1998.

From 1980 until 1985, Krjukov also appeared frequently as an actor and narrator on the ETV literary program Suuri meistreid.

Radio From the late 1970s, Krjukov also appeared in several radio plays, most notably Ma armastasin sakslast and Reekviem nunnale, both in 1979. His third marriage was to dancer and actress Ülle Toming.

In August 1996, Krjukov discovered a small bump under his tongue, which was initially diagnosed as stomatitis. For two weeks, he applied the topical antibacterial Iodinol to the area, but the lump didn't resolve itself.

Awards Meritorious Artist of the Estonian SSR (1984) Ants Lauter Prize (1985) Best Actor of the Year (1991 and 1993)

Selected filmography Naine kütab sauna (1978) Kaks päeva Viktor Kingissepa elust (1980) Pisuhänd (1982) Viimne visiit (1983, Latvia) Kahe kodu ballaad (1985) Minu Leninid (1997)