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Aleksandr Abdulov, one of the most renowned sex symbols of Russian cinema, was a celebrated film star in Russia.
Born Aleksandr Gavrilovich Abdulov on May 29, 1953, in Tobolsk, Siberia, he came from a theatrical family with roots in Fergana, Uzbekistan. His father, Gavriil Abdulov, was a decorated WWII tank battle veteran, while his mother worked as a make-up artist in various Russian theaters. Abdulov grew up in Uzbekistan, where he completed high school and earned the title of Master of Sports in fencing. He enrolled in a local college with aspirations of becoming a sports coach.
His acting ambitions faced a setback when he initially failed the entrance exams to the Moscow State Institute of Theatrical Arts (GITIS). Unable to return to Uzbekistan, he lived in bleak dormitories around Moscow and took on manual labor jobs at railway stations to survive. Eventually, he gained admission to GITIS, studied acting, worked as an extra for little pay, and continued laboring to support himself. Graduating in 1975, he joined the Lenkom Theatre under director Mark Zakharov.
Abdulov showcased his full range of talent in popular films like An Ordinary Miracle (1979) and S lyubimymi ne rasstavaytes (1980). He quickly became the USSR’s first major sex symbol, with millions of his photographs adorning homes and dormitories across the Soviet Union. Audiences admired him both for his genuine talent and his dedication to his craft.
Under Zakharov’s direction, Abdulov delivered standout performances in films such as Obyknovennoe Chudo (1978), Tot samyi Munchgausen (1979), Formula Lyubvi (1984), and Ubit drakona (1988). He worked alongside esteemed actors including Oleg Yankovskiy, Evgeniy Leonov, Vyacheslav Tikhonov, Evgeniy Evstigneev, Leonid Bronevoy, Andrey Mironov, Irina Kupchenko, Leonid Yarmolnik, Semyon Farada, Aleksandr Zbruev, Sergey Nikonenko, and Irina Alfyorova. This talented ensemble fostered a unique Russian artistic environment that nurtured Abdulov’s versatile abilities.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, Abdulov’s nuanced performances reached new heights. He starred alongside the legendary Innokentiy Smoktunovskiy in the innovative film Geniy (1991), directed by Viktor Sergeev. That period also saw him earn a Nika Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in Sukiny deti (1991), directed by Leonid Filatov. His collaborations with director Sergey Solovyov produced critically acclaimed and audience-loved films such as Chyornaya roza – emblema pechali, krasnaya roza – emblema lyubvi (1989) and Dom pod zvyozdnym nebom (1991), both of which received awards and praise.
Abdulov demonstrated his transformative abilities in the role of Korov'ev in the 2005 TV series Master i Margarita, directed by Vladimir Bortko and adapted from Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel. His vibrant energy made him a standout presence among the ensemble cast. In the same year, he delivered a more classical and restrained performance in the Russian period drama Anna Karenina, directed by Sergey Solovyov and based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel. Later, Abdulov appeared in the epic film Leningrad (2009) by Aleksandr Buravskiy, depicting the WWII siege of Leningrad, where he acted alongside Gabriel Byrne, Mira Sorvino, Kirill Lavrov, Mikhail Efremov, Donatas Banionis, and other notable actors.
Aleksandr Abdulov was honored as a People’s Artist of Russia and received numerous awards and nominations for his stage and screen work. He remained a permanent member of the Lenkom Theatre troupe in Moscow and also directed several films and stage productions. Abdulov passed away from lung cancer on January 3, 2008, and was laid to rest at Vagankovskoe Cemetery in Moscow.
