Vladimir Zeldin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vladimir Zeldin
Born	Vladimir Mikhailovich Zeldin Владимир Михайлович Зельдин (1915-02-10)February 10, 1915 Kozlov, Tambov Governorate, Russian Empire
Died	October 31, 2016(2016-10-31) (aged 101) Moscow, Russia
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1927–2016
Awards	Full cavalier of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"

Vladimir Zeldin (born February 10, 1915 – died October 31, 2016) was a famous actor from Russia. He performed on stage and in movies for a very long time, continuing to act even when he was over 100 years old! He was one of the oldest actors in the world.

Vladimir Zeldin's Early Life

Vladimir Zeldin was born in a town called Kozlov (now Michurinsk) in Russia. He was the youngest of five children. When the Russian Civil War started, his family moved to Tver to live with relatives.

His mother, Anna Nikolayevna, was a teacher who later became a housewife. His father, Mikhail Yevgenyevich, was a musician. He led a concert band and was in charge of music schools.

In 1924, Vladimir's family moved to Moscow. He continued school and learned to play the trumpet, piano, and violin. When he was 12, he tried to join the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet School. His father wanted him to have a different career and tried to stop him.

For several years, Vladimir played the trumpet in a military band. In 1935, he finished theatre college at the Mossovet Theatre and became an actor there.

Vladimir Zeldin's Acting Career

In 1938, Vladimir Zeldin joined the Moscow Transport Theatre. He played roles in famous plays like The Comedy of Errors.

He became very well-known in 1941 after starring in the musical comedy They Met in Moscow. He also appeared in other popular movies such as Ballad of Siberia (1947) and Carnival Night (1956).

During World War II, he and other actors were moved to Almaty for safety. He also performed for soldiers on the front lines. After the war, he received a medal for his hard work.

From 1945 until he passed away, Zeldin acted at the Russian Army Theatre. One of his most famous roles was Aldemaro in The Dancing Master. He also played characters in plays like The Taming of the Shrew.

In 2005, Vladimir Zeldin celebrated his 90th birthday by starring in a new musical called Man of La Mancha. He played both Don Quixote and Miguel de Cervantes. Don Quixote quickly became a very special role for him.

He even celebrated his 101st birthday on stage! He performed in a play called Dance with the Master, which was written just for him. He continued acting almost until his death, even performing with a walking stick after a hip injury.

Later Years and Legacy

In 2014, Vladimir Zeldin was the oldest living People's Artist of the USSR. This is a very high honor for an actor. He turned 101 years old in 2016.

In 2013, when he was 98, he carried the torch for the 2014 Winter Olympics torch relay. He was the oldest person to carry the torch at that time.

Vladimir Zeldin passed away on October 31, 2016. He was buried in Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow. He was married to Ivetta Evgenievna Kapralova-Zeldina for 52 years. She passed away shortly after him.

Vladimir Zeldin had one son from his first marriage, but his son died when he was very young in 1941. Vladimir took care of his son's grave throughout his life.

Honours and Awards

• Order "For Merit to the Fatherland";
  • 1st class (2015)
  • 2nd class (2010) - for his great work in theatre
  • 3rd class (2005) - for his great work in theatre
  • 4th class (2000) - for his great work in theatre
• Order of Friendship (1995) - for helping the country and building friendships
• Order of the Red Banner of Labour, three times (1968, 1980)
• People's Artist of the USSR (1975)
• People's Artist of the RSFSR (1959)
• Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1954)
• Award "for outstanding creative achievement in musical theatre" (2006)
• Prize of the Russian Federation in culture (2008) - for the play "Man of La Mancha"
• Stalin Prize, 2nd class (1951)
• Prize "for honour and dignity" from the Golden Mask award (2010)
• Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow"
• Medal "For Valiant Labour in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945"
• Medal "Veteran of Labour"

Partial Filmography