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Georgi Zhzhyonov was a celebrated Russian actor who endured 18 years of imprisonment during Joseph Stalin's dictatorship.
Born Georgi Stepanovich Zhzhonov on March 22, 1915, in St. Petersburg (then Petrograd), Russia, he was the seventh of ten children of Stepan Philippovich Zhzhonov and Maria Fedorovna Shchelkina. In 1921, his father was arrested and imprisoned for opposing the communists. The Zhzhonov family lived on Bolshoi Prospekt in Vasilevsky Ostrov, a historic area of St. Petersburg, near the "Petrogradets" stadium. There, young Zhzhonov underwent intense physical training, focusing on acrobatics.
In 1930, Zhzhonov graduated from a secondary school with an advanced mathematics program. Using his older brother’s ID, he gained admission to the Acrobatic class at the Leningrad Circus School under the name "Boris" Zhzhonov, where he studied for two years. His forgery was overlooked due to his exceptional acrobatic skills. A cinematographer noticed him during his performances at the Leningrad Circus and cast him in the leading role of Pavel Vetrov in 'Oshibka Geroya' (1932), a silent film directed by Eduard Ioganson, alongside Yefim Kopelyan. From 1932 to 1935, Zhzhonov studied under Sergey Gerasimov at the Leningrad Theater and Film Institute, where his classmate was Arkady Raykin. He continued his film career with a cameo in the classic film Chapaev (1934), acting alongside Boris Babochkin, and worked again with director Eduard Ioganson in Nasledny prints respubliki (1934). In 1935, he graduated from Sergey Gerasimov’s class, with a promising film career ahead.
Following the assassination of popular Leningrad governor Sergei Kirov, Joseph Stalin initiated a purge of Russian intellectuals. Zhzhonov's elder brother, Boris, was falsely accused of "anti-Soviet activity" and executed in prison. The entire Zhzhonov family—father, mother, five sisters, and two surviving brothers—were exiled to Siberian Kazakhstan. Georgi Zhzhonov refused to comply. At 20, already recognized as a talented actor, his career was at risk. Lenfilm Studio petitioned to delay his exile because Sergey Gerasimov had cast him in a supporting role in 'Komsomolsk' (1938). His exile was postponed, and he joined the cast en route to filming in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on the Pacific Far East. On the train, he met an American diplomat who offered him American cigarettes and engaged in friendly conversation. This was enough for the Soviet secret police to arrest him on false spying charges.
Zhzhonov was forcibly separated from his wife, young actress Yevgeniya Golynchik, and taken to the KGB prison in Leningrad. There, he endured torture, humiliation, blackmail, and was exiled to Kolyma in Siberia from 1938 to 1945. In 1945, he was permitted to work at the Magadan Zapolyarny Drama Theatre in Siberia. In 1947, he moved to Moscow but was banned from residing in the capital. Arrested again on false charges, he was exiled to Norilsk in Northern Siberia, where he worked at the Zapolyarny Drama Theatre alongside his friend Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy. He remained in exile until Stalin's death.
In 1955, after 18 years of imprisonment and exile, Zhzhonov was allowed to return to Leningrad. He was cleared of all charges related to "anti-Soviet activity and spying for America" and permitted to work as an actor in Leningrad’s theaters and films from 1955 to 1968.
He gained recognition for his role in 'Beregis avtomobilya' (Watch out for Automobile, 1966), directed by Eldar Ryazanov. From 1968 until 2005, he lived in Moscow, working on stage and in film. He became best known for his lead role as the Western spy "Resident" in the film trilogy directed by Venyamin Dorman, and for starring in 'Ekipazh' (1980), directed by Aleksandr Mitta. Zhzhonov regarded his collaboration with actor-director Mikhail Kozakov on the TV movie 'Vsya korolevskaya rat' (All the King's Men, 1972) as a highlight. The first episode had been filmed with Pavel Luspekayev as Senator Stark, but after Luspekayev’s sudden death, Zhzhonov won the role amid stiff competition. His portrayal received praise from author Robert Penn Warren.
Zhzhonov penned an autobiographical account of his Gulag prison camp experience, which was lauded by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn and published in Russia. He received the USSR State Prize and was honored with the title People's Artist of the USSR. Additionally, he was awarded the 'Nika Award' for his lifetime achievements.
He celebrated his 90th birthday performing at the Russian Army Theatre. Later that day, he was invited to the Kremlin to receive Russia's highest civilian decoration. During their conversation, President Putin revealed that Zhzhonov’s popular film roles inspired him to become an intelligence officer. Zhzhonov replied with dark humor, "Just don’t arrest me again."
Georgi Zhzhonov passed away on December 8, 2005, and was buried at Moscow’s Novodevichy Cemetery.
