Origins & Early Life

Mikhail Ivanovich Zharov (Russian: Михаи́л Ива́нович Жа́ров; 27 October 1899 – 15 December 1981) was a Soviet and Russian stage and film actor and director. People's Artist of the USSR (1949) and Hero of Socialist Labour (1974). He studied under the prominent director Theodore Komisarjevsky and debuted in Yakov Protazanov's Aelita (1924). Later he became a Protazanov regular, appearing in The Man from the Restaurant (1927) together with Mikhail Chekhov.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In the 1930s he was a leading actor of Alexander Tairov's Chamber Theatre before moving to the Maly Theatre where, starting in 1938, he was engaged for the rest of his life and most fully unfolded his actor's gift, mainly playing classical repertoire parts (in Wolves and Sheep, The Inspector-General, Heart is not a Stone, The Thunderstorm, etc.) Mikhail Zharov gained wide popularity thanks to the role of Zhigan in Nikolai Ekk’s internationally known drama Road to Life (1931). Playing the leader of a gang of thieves, the actor made use of the opportunities of the first sound film: he endowed his character with a specific accent, played the guitar, and sang songs with his peculiar charm. In 1933 he appeared in Boris Barnet...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al Capone — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alfred Hitchcock — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): Master of Suspense, influential English filmmaker known for psychological thrillers.
• Bertil Ohlin — Contemporary (Born in 1899) (1899): Influential Swedish economist, Nobel Laureate, and politician.
• Abigail Spencer — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): American actress, producer, and writer known for roles in soap operas and dramas.
• Alicia Keys — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): Award-winning pianist and vocalist known for her soulful R&B sound.
• Anwar Sadat — Contemporary (Died in 1981) (1981): Egyptian President who spearheaded economic reform and the peace treaty with Israel.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Shared historical date (10-15 · Born) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Abd al-Rahman III — Shared historical date (10-15 · Died) (961): Founder of the Caliphate of Córdoba, a period of immense Islamic cultural zenith.
• Adam Brody — Shared historical date (12-15 · Born) (1979): American actor known for roles in The O.C., Shazam!, and StartUp.
• Akira Mutō — Shared historical date (12-15 · Born) (1892): Imperial Japanese Army General implicated in war crimes during WWII.
• 1899 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1899
• October 15 (10-15) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 15
• 1981 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1981
• December 15 (12-15) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 15