From October 19 to 23, five German cities will host the performance "Made in Odessa" with the participation of Oleg Filimonov, a humorist whose face and trademark jokes have long been part of the cultural memory of several generations. Some first saw him as part of the KVN team, others loved him on the legendary "Gentleman Show", and for some he became a symbol of warm family evenings in front of the TV, when humorous programs with his participation gathered millions of viewers.
In October 2025 the public in Germany has a great opportunity to meet the artist live, to be charged with the atmosphere of Odessa humor and charisma, which actor Oleg Filimonov has been conquering the hearts of viewers for decades.
And while you are deciding where exactly to join the upcoming festival of Odessa humor: in Mannheim, Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich - let's remember together how Oleg Filimonov's creative path began and how he became a favorite of audiences in different parts of the world.
Childhood and teenage years of the future humoristic "storm" of all Odessa
Oleg Filimonov is a name that for many has become synonymous with Odessa humor and intellectual satire. His creative path is a symbiosis of academic education, theater stage and television, and his personality combines the talents of a theater and film actor, musician, screenwriter, entrepreneur, teacher and politician. But for most people he is first of all the personification of the very unique Odessa color.
Where was born and studied Oleg Filimonov
Oleg Filimonov, whose biography is full of bright events, was born on February 26, 1952 in Nikolaev (Ukraine) in a family of teachers. His father was a historian, his mother - a philologist.
The path of the future artist to the world of culture began with a music school, where he mastered playing the accordion. When at the age of 16 he moved to Odessa and studied at the local university at the faculty of Romano-Germanic philology, in parallel he worked part-time in restaurants, playing guitar, saxophone and keyboard instruments. It was here that Oleg Filimonov's immersion into the world of foreign languages, art and colorful Odessa culture began, which later became intertwined with humor.
The way from KVN to the main comic stage of the country
After graduating from Odessa University, Oleg Filimonov took up teaching - even received the title of associate professor at the Department of RGF. Perhaps, scientific and teaching activities would have remained the main passion of Filimonov, if in 1980 in his life did not happen KVN, with which the artist tied his fate for many years.
Initially, Filimonov was invited to the "Odessa Gentlemen" as a musical director. But soon revealed and his comedic talent. In 1986-1987, the team of Odessa becomes the champion in the first season of KVN, and their winning number "The pace of repair can not be changed" became a classic.
Experience in KVN allowed Filimonov not just to reveal the skills of the artist of the comedy genre, and made him a star, became a kind of springboard for the creation of the legendary "Gentleman Show".
Participation in the "Laughter League" and other projects: key performances and numbers
Oleg Filimonov's creativity quickly went far beyond the framework of KVN. His participation in TV projects, performances on the stages of various festivals and concerts showed that humor can be exquisitely intellectual, while maintaining its main task - to amuse and entertain.
Participation in the "Laughter League" and "Gentleman Show"
In the biography of Oleg Filimonov show, which later became a "business card" of the artist, appeared in 1991. We are talking, of course, about "The Gentleman Show", which was broadcast until 2005 and became a legend in the world of humorous and entertaining programs. Its peculiarity was its unusual format - jokes were not just told, but staged. And Filimonov personally participated in writing the numbers for the program. As the artist later mentioned, 9 out of 10 anecdotes were his own, and in 2007 in an interview with "Facts and Comments" said that he could tell thousands of these funny stories from memory.
"Gentleman Show" brought the humorist international popularity, and also - various prizes and awards, among them - "Golden Ostap" and "TEFI".
Later, the artist also took part in other popular entertainment TV projects. One of the most vivid is "Laughter League".
Other projects: television, movies and stand-up shows
In addition to "Gentlemen", at different times in the biography of Filimonov there were many other TV projects. Among the most iconic are:
- "Filimonov and company";
- "Laughing Camera."
- "Make Me Funny";
- "The Mask Show" and others.
He also tried himself in the movie - played mostly episodic roles in several films and TV series of Ukrainian and Russian directors. But even the acting style of the artist is special - a mixture of trademark Odessa humor and classical theatrical school, which many associate with the Moscow Art Theater. Not for nothing the main passion of Oleg Filimonov for many years remained the theater. At one time, the actor played in the play "Hurricane named Odessa", which was a huge success. Another sensational theater performance with the participation of the artist - "Train "Odessa-mama".
Oleg Filimonov's stand-up performances are always a combination of subtle Odessa humor and observations from life. The humorist's style organically fits into the current format, because irony, ability to notice details and work with the audience make his humor modern and truly universal. That is why he sounds no less fresh and bright than the jokes of young artists conquering the Stand Up scene in Germany.
Family and personal life
Behind the bright acting career of Oleg Filimonov is no less rich personal life, which reveals the artist as a family man.
Is Oleg Filimonov married now
The artist was married twice. His first wife (Lyudmila) died. From this marriage left a daughter Victoria, who now lives in the United States. Filimonov met his second wife, Larisa, a table tennis champion of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, in 1975. After 5 years (in 1980), the couple formalized their relationship. The spouses have a common daughter - Karina.
What is interesting, at first the second wife was against the fact that her husband was fond of KVN, and not continued scientific activity. But still over time, the woman changed her point of view, supported her husband in everything. For Oleg Filimonov family has always been a pillar, as not once admitted the artist in interviews.
Hobbies and extra-career interests
In addition to humor, Oleg Filimonov is fond of music - still plays several instruments and participates in various musical projects.
In the life of the humorist has a place and business. It all started back in the 1990s. Then he was engaged in metal trading and even earned decent sums. But then there was a conflict with partners, Filimonov left the company, left without money. Now the artist is a co-owner of the movie theater "Golden Duke".
It is known that the actor is interested in history and literature, which, however, is not surprising, given his philological education. He also likes to cook.
Despite the saturated creative activity, in the multifaceted life of Oleg Filimonov found a place and politics. In 2020, he ran for mayor of Odessa, taking 4th place in the first round. But his political career did not end there - in the same 2020 he was elected as a deputy of the City Council of Odessa - the city that has become his hometown.
"I was raised, educated and married by Odessa. My whole life is connected with this city. I am a product of Odessa", - said in one of the interviews the artist.
Gentleman of humor today: projects and plans
Oleg Filimonov even now remains an active participant in cultural life. He takes part in various concerts, TV projects, travels around the world, including Germany, with tours. Despite the fact that he is already over 70, the artist continues to lead an active creative and social life, plans new projects and regular meetings with fans.
Creative plans and theater productions
Oleg Filimonov, whose career is built on the junction of humor, theater and television, does not stop at what has been achieved. He continues to make plans, in particular in theatrical activities, in which the full measure of his depth and authorial position.
The most vivid productions Filimonov:
- "Hurricane named Odessa" - one of the early theatrical works, in which he played the main role.
- "Train Odessa-mama" - a lyrical comedy, which is successfully shown in different cities. This is one of those productions where humor is adjacent to personal, touching, which allows the audience not only to laugh, but also to empathize.
- "Made in Odessa" is a play-talk dedicated to Odessa, the peculiarities that make this city unique.
Filimonov and his team continue to work on old plays: they update their format, change the cast, adapt the plot to new realities, preserving the special spirit of the original version. This also applies to the play "Odessa-Mama Train".
At the same time, the artist is working on new productions (for example, "Anxiety in Odessa"). As Filimonov himself says, it is a comedy with a very deep philosophical content, a performance during which the audience will laugh, but at the end of it they will definitely think.
Concert activity: where you can see the humorist live
In addition to theatrical productions, Oleg Filimonov actively performs concert programs, maintaining contact with the audience, surprising with the universality of his humor. His concerts are held in an atmosphere of lightness, sincerity and trademark irony, thanks to which the artist remains equally close to both the older generation, who grew up on "Gentleman Show", and young viewers who discover the genre of stand-up.
Regular tours of the artist take place both in his native Ukraine and abroad. European tours, including concerts scheduled for this fall in Germany, are worthy of special attention. Filimonov will present the play "Made in Odessa" in five cities of this country at once. His performances will be a chance for many to see the legendary artist live, to enjoy his colorful humor and the very charisma, thanks to which he does not lose his popularity for many decades in a row.
We recommend you to follow the playbill carefully not to miss interesting premieres, because Filimonov continues to prepare new programs and tours.
Awards and recognition of the humorist
For his long career, Oleg Filimonov has received wide recognition as one of the most brilliant humorists of the post-Soviet space. His creative path was accompanied by numerous awards and landmark achievements.
The pinnacle of official recognition was the title of People's Artist of Ukraine, which the humorist received in 2020. There are in the collection of awards Oleg Filimonov and prestigious television awards (for example, "TEFI").
Received the artist and one of the most iconic awards in the world of humor - "Golden Ostap". And Filimonov also has his own "twelfth" golden chair - a prize from the international festival of humor and satire "Master Gumbs".
Interesting facts about Filimonov
- Musical talent. As a child, Oleg performed Italian songs without knowing the language, and in his youth he played guitar and saxophone in Odessa restaurants.
- Academic career. At one time he defended his PhD thesis in philology and taught English at the university for 19 years.
- Business experience. In the 1990s earned a million dollars in metal trading, but left the business because of a conflict with his partners.
- Political activity. In 2020 he ran for mayor of Odessa.
- Language skills. Fluent in English and French, studies Italian and Ukrainian.
