Kiril Gospodinov

Kiril Ivanov Gospodinov (1934–2003) was a Bulgarian theater and film actor. His acting created one of the eminent characters in the Bulgarian film art.

Biography and career

Gospodinov was born on 24 May 1934 in Grozdyovo village, Varna Province. After graduating as an actor in The National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in 1966, he started working with the Varna Theater where he stayed for five years. In 1971 he moved to Sofia to work with the Sofia Theater.

The first films featuring him are Ponedelnik sutrin / Monday Morning (1966) and The Swedish Kings (1968). In 1970 the Bulgarian National Television released the TV film Bash Maystorat / The Past-Master with Kiril Gospodinov in the leading role as Rangel Lelin-the past-master. This satirical comedy turned him and his character in "Trade Mark" for the Bulgarian film art. The film had four more sequels throughout the years. Generations have identified Gospodinov as The Past-Master till nowadays.

Another landmark in his career, apart from the past-master roles, turned out to be the film Three Reservists. Released in 1971, the film won numerous awards in the Varna Film Festival one of which was for Gospodinov's leading role .

He continued filming as well as performing on the stage of the theater during the next two decades leaving fadeless trail with his roles such as his remarkable performance in the film classic from 1972 - The Boy Turns Man. In 1984 he was decorated with the high government prize the Order Of Saint Cyril And Saint Methodius.

The miserable economic and culture conditions in the country during the 1990s had an awful effect on the film industry as well as on the actors living standard.

Gospodinov died in 2003 at the age of 69.

Filmography Year Film Role Notes 1966 Ponedelnik Sutrin / Monday Morning Aleksi Released 1988. 1968 Shvedskite Krale / The Swedish Kings Spas Sluchayat Penleve / The Penleve Case 1969 Svoboda ili Smart / Freedom or Death Ivanitsa Ptitsi i Hratki / Birds and Greyhounds Nikifor Armando 1970 Bash Maystorat / The Past-Master Rangel Lelin - the past-master TV film 1971 Ne se Obrashtay Nazad / Don't Turn Back the captain Trimata ot Zapasa / Three Reservists Spiro Stoimenov Won Best Actor in a Leading Role (Golden Rose Film Fest) 1972 Glutnitsata / The Pack of Wolves Cherniya Momcheto Si Otiva / The Boy Turns Man Filip K. Filipov (Tinka's husband) Treta Sled Slantseto / Third After the Sun Het Vyatarat na Pateshestviyata / Tail Wind 1973 Kato Pesen / Like a Song the bridegroom 1975 Viza za Okeana / Visa for the Ocean the boatswain Nezabravimiyat Den / The Memorable Day 1976 Ne Si Otivay! / Don't Go Away Tinka's husband sequel of The Boy Turns Man Dva Dioptara Dalekogledstvo / Farsighted for Two Diopters the taxi driver 1977 Hora otdaleche / People from Afar Kosta Chetvartoto izmerenie / The Fourth Dimension Georgi TV series Slanchev udar / Sunstroke Bai Lyubo 1978 100 tona shtastie / One Hundred Tons of Happiness Panteley 1979 Kratko slantze / Short Sun Ganev 1980 Bash Maystorat na ekskurziya / The Past-Master on the Excursion Rangel Lelin - the past-master sequel of The Past-Master Wonny 1981 Bash Maystorat fermer / The Past-Master-Farmer Rangel Lelin - the past-master sequel of The Past-Master 1982 Bash Maystorat na More / The Past-Master at the Seaside Rangel Lelin - the past-master sequel of The Past-Master 1983 Pochti reviziya / Almost an Inspection Kosta TV mini-series Bash Maystorat nachalnik / The Past-Master - Boss Rangel Lelin - the past-master sequel of The Past-Master Bon shans, inspektore! / Bonne Chance, Inspector! Trifon 1984 Stenata / The Dam 1987 Petak vecher / Friday Night the boss Zhelyazoto 1988 Ponedelnik Sutrin / Monday Morning Aleksi Filmed 1966, Released 1988 Izlozhenie / Report 1990 Karnavalat / The Carnival a person in charge of the health service 1991 Veshtestveno dokazatelstvo / Material Evidence the mayor O, Gospodi, kade si? / Oh, My Lord, Where Art Thee? the pharmacist 1996 Traka-Trak / Tap-Tap 2004 Drugiyat nash vazmozhen zhivot / The Other Possible Life of Ours the father