Leonid Yarmolnik (Leonid Yarmolnik) is a Soviet and Russian film actor, theater actor, TV presenter, director, comedian and public figure. On his life path, he showed himself in different spheres and reached considerable heights. His first real fame brought him humorous miniature. Then he was absorbed by cinematography. Then followed a brilliant career as a television presenter. He regularly appeared on the stage of the theater, gathering full houses. The sharpness of his character more than once became a reason for sharp headlines in the press. Wherever he appeared, for what business would not take, he does not go unnoticed. And the main reasons for this boundless talent and creative nature.
Childhood and early years
Born Leonid Yarmolnik January 22, 1954 in the Far East in a small village called Grodekovo. His parents were Jews, which never hid and were not embarrassed. Proud of his origin and Leonid himself. His mother worked in the hospital as a laboratory doctor. His father served in a motorized rifle battalion of the Soviet Army. When the boy went to school, their family had to move to Lviv (Ukraine). There passed the entire childhood of the future artist.
Study was given to him easily, but the child did not show much interest in it. From an early age, the boy had many hobbies: swimming, playing the accordion, reading. In high school there was a new passion - theater. He enrolled in the studio at the People's Theater named after Lenin Komsomol. Lenin Komsomol, began to make the first successes in acting.
Leonid knew everyone in the neighborhood - long-haired guy in round glasses was like the leader of the Beatles, which Yarmolnik loved. He was nicknamed "Lennon", which accompanied him for many years.
After school, he decided to connect his future with the movie. The first attempt to enter a theater college was not successful. But after a year, he joined the ranks of students of the Moscow Shchukin School. He settled in a dormitory, made friends. There was a fateful meeting with a man who for the rest of his life will be his faithful friend. It is about Alexander Abdulov.
Acting career
In 1976, Yarmolnik became a certified artist. Noticing a promising student still within the walls of the school, Yuri Lyubimov immediately invited him to play at the Taganka Theater. Leonid agreed. Immediately he received a role in the production of "Master and Margarita", where he showed himself as a talented actor, able to reincarnate in any image. Then followed the performances "The Fallen and the Living", "Rush Hour", "Stadium".
With great warmth and awe he recalls those 8 years of service at Taganka. On this stage for 4 years he stood side by side with the legendary singer and artist Vladimir Vysotsky. When in 1984 the chief director was replaced by Anatoly Efros, the situation changed radically. The theater became different, many colleagues left. Yarmolnik followed them.
From that moment in the theatrical biography of Leonid Isaacovich came a lull. He directed all his energies to cinematography, began to lead concerts and events, there were also TV programs. To the theater he will return many years later as a movie star and a famous media personality. It will already be "Sovremennik".
Cinematography
The first experience of filming at Yarmolnik was 1984. An episodic role in the film "Your Rights" went unnoticed. Actually, like the movie itself.
Before the arrival of the 80's actor was filmed a little, often was on the second plans. The first success and popularity Leonid received after the performance in the program "Around Laughter" with the number "Tobacco Chicken". Charismatic and witty comedian remembered by many.
Thanks to friendship with Abdulov in the filmography of the artist appeared in the cult work "That very Munchausen". Following it on the screens came out "The Detective". After these films about Yarmolnik talked about and directors, and viewers.
In the following years, Leonid Isaakovich became one of the most sought-after in the Soviet cinematography. He was filmed a lot, annually replenishing the collection of 4-5 works. Most often he got negative characters. He was a criminal, policeman, Chekist, savage, KGB officer, terrorist, crook, pirate. Such a variety of characters and roles he did not like very much, even created problems in real life. The artist did not want to accept the Union of Cinematographers, although his account at that time was already more than a hundred roles.
Memorable in his biography was the movie "Moscow Vacations". There he had his first major role in his life. In addition, he produced this tape. The picture was very warmly received by the audience. And his directorial skills he continued to develop, and in the future he shot 7 more movie works.
Television activities
The first experience of appearing on television with humorous pantomimes, the audience appreciated. The next appearance on the screen, in addition to movies, was in 1993, when the program "L-club" with Leonid Yarmolnik as a presenter came out.
Since then, he has always been involved in one or another TV project: "Gold Rush", "Hotel", KVN, "Garage", "Fort Boyard", "Toch-to-Tchat" and so on.
For the whole period of his activity Leonid was recognized as producer of the year (for the film "Moscow Vacation"), was nominated for the best supporting role, for the best male role, received the state award in the field of cinema. On his account 2 "Niki" and a number of other merits. But the titles "Honored" and "People's" in his arsenal is not, as he simply refused them. Yarmolnik believes that "the artist should have only a name".
Personal life
The first chosen woman of Leonid was Zoya Pylnova. Their relationship lasted 7 years. They had neither reliable confirmation, nor refutation, nor continuation. All this time Zoya was married to Vladimir Ilyin.
Yarmolnik's first official marriage was fictitious. His wife Elena Valk thus helped the actor to get a residence permit.
The second wife, already a real and beloved, was Oksana Afanasyeva. With her they live to this day. They have an adult daughter Alexandra, who has achieved incredible success in the art of glass painting. Their relationship more than once went through difficult times, but Oksana managed to keep the family together, and Alexandra gave Leonid grandchildren.
Today, the actor does not often star in films, but regularly goes on the stage of the theater. He is happy to share his experience with the younger generation of theatergoers. About what else interesting happens in the life of Leonid Yarmolnik, you can find out in the catalog of artists on the website kontramarka.de.
Filmography (favorites):
1979 - "The Detective"
1979 - "That very Munchausen"
1982 - "Look for a Woman"
1983 - "Inspector Losev"
1986 - "Mikhailo Lomonosov".
1987 - "The Man from Capuchin Boulevard".
1995 - "Moscow Vacation"
1999 - "Barak"
2006 - "The Bewitched Plot"
2008 - "Stilyagi"
2011 - My Crazy Family
2013 - "Sherlock Holmes"
2013 - "It's Hard to Be a God"
2016's "Night Watchmen"
2017 - "Love and Sax"
2018 - "Odessa"
