Nikolay Lebedev

Nikolai Sergeyevich Lebedev (; 15 December 1921 – 21 August 2022) was a Soviet and Russian actor, People's Artist of Russia in 2018. A former soldier of the Red Army, he also fought in the Second World War, where he was captured by the Wehrmacht, during the Battle of Uman.

Early life and career

Nikolai Sergeyevich Lebedev was born in Moscow on 15 December 1921. During the Great Patriotic War, he was drafted to the Red Army in April 1941, to fight as a private machine gunner. He was contused and captured by the Wehrmacht in July–August 1941, during the Battle of Uman. After his release by the enemy, he was tested by the Soviet counter-intelligence agency, SMERSH, and was ultimately cleared and let go. As it was known that he had been a prisoner during the war, Lebedev was banned from acting at the Moscow Art Theatre, despite both parties agreeing to it at first. Yuri Zavadsky introduced him to the Mossovet Theater instead, where Lebedev ultimately acted for more than 60 years.

Lebedev turned 100 in December 2021, and died on 21 August 2022.

Selected filmography

Source: (1959) as Colonel Sinitsyn Yevdokiya (1961) as Yevdokim Silence (1963) as episode Liberation (1971) as Sczyapan Krasoŭsky Eternal Call (1973) as Mitrofan Savelyev Earth and Sky Adventures (1974) as General Designer The Captivating Star of Happiness (1975) Air Crew (1980) as Professor of Medical Commission (1985) as Dwight D. Eisenhower Vagrant Bus (1989) as episode King Lear (2006) as Doctor