Actress Alexandra Zakharova is most often presented as the daughter of a famous director. During the life of Mark Anatolyevich she was called “Princess of Lenkom”. And they said that it was only thanks to him that she gained popularity and star status.
Alexandra Zakharova with her father Mark Anatolyevich.
The audience most remembered the comedy “Formula of Love”, the detective story “Criminal Talent” and the drama “Hostage”. Alexandra played her roles wonderfully, sincerely, without falsehood. Was it the father's fault? Maybe yes. He was not only her parent, but also her mentor.
Biography of Zakharova
Alexandra Markovna was born on June 17, 1962 in three places at once. Wikipedia says so, and I have no reason not to believe it. Here they are: Moscow, RSFSR, USSR. Next immediately comes a long list of awards and services to the Fatherland. People's Artist of the Russian Federation - she was awarded this title in 2001.
Alexandra's childhood takes place behind the scenes of the theater. How could it be otherwise, if their father, a world-famous director, and mother, actress Nina Lapshinova, live in the theater, this is their home and family. Little Sasha doesn’t miss tours, she travels with her parents around the country, and once and for all the greatest love of her life settles in her heart. And don’t give a damn about spiteful critics, having once made a decision, Zakharova does not change her calling. She reads a lot, but only fiction and school textbooks make her sad.
After graduating from high school, he enters the Shchukin School. In 1983 he graduated and immediately received five offers from capital theaters. Isn’t this an indicator of undoubted acting abilities, young Alexandra does not get lost in the crowd even at the beginning of her career, you cannot hide her individuality and talent.
However, the choice was made a long time ago. She is attracted by Lenkom, without him she cannot see her future. But Mark Anatolyevich is in no hurry to accept his daughter into the troupe. He holds a secret vote, and only after receiving the approval of the majority does he enroll in the theater cast.
In order to use it exclusively in crowd scenes for 10 long years. Isn't this a test for a young, budding actress? But she endures it with honor, understands the complexity of her father’s situation and does not ask for anything for herself.
Gleb Panfilov saves the situation. As the director of the play “Hamlet,” he approves Zakharova for the role of Ophelia. And he’s not wrong with his choice. The key female role in the play was entrusted to a young actress; the risk was considerable. Anyone who is familiar with this work first-hand understands what I am writing about. Alexandra copes, the public finally notices her and critics appreciate her. The huge success of her first role opened the stage for her. Zakharova is introduced to the most complex performances by the most famous playwrights. These are the classics: Chekhov, Ostrovsky, Gogol, Ibsen, as well as modern authors - Venedikt Erofeev, Vladimir Sorokin and many others.
But who goes to the theater today? Could Alexandra Markovna have earned national recognition if she had remained with her father and Lenkom? Even brilliant theatrical roles, remembered by true connoisseurs of art, would never have brought her widespread fame. She would have remained her father's daughter, in which case it would have been much more difficult to convince Moscow's cruel elite.
For all TV viewers, Alexandra is associated primarily with the swindler from the film “Criminal Talent”, and the village woman from “Formula of Love”. Although Zakharova has a considerable number of roles in films - about 40, among which, undoubtedly, there are no less successful ones. But it so often happens that the brightest, best role seems to overshadow all subsequent ones. Sasha Rukoyatkina (Criminal Talent, 1988) gave the viewer the main thing - an understanding of how diverse the inner world of the young actress is, she managed to live several roles at once, the transformation was amazing.
Today Alexandra Zakharova is rightfully the prima of the Lenin Komsomol Theater; she does not act in films as often as the average viewer would like; she can be seen in TV series and films:
- Unequal marriage (TV series).
- You are my happiness (TV series).
- Not Alone (TV series).
- Footprints in the Sand (film).
Parents
People who don’t know might assume that everything will turn out well in Zakharova’s life: she was born into the family of actress Nina Lapshinova and director Mark Zakharov.
The girl’s father came from an officer’s family, whose members were participants in the Civil War, but fought for both sides: “red” and “white.” In 1955, he graduated from GITIS (acting department), became interested in directing and became one of the leading directors of the USSR. Alexandra loved and revered Zakharov and spoke of him as a great and brilliant man. After the death of her father in 2022, A. Zakharova withdrew into herself and experienced the loss for a long time.
The actress’s mother, Nina Lapshinova, was born in 1932 and died in 2014. She met her future husband at GITIS, where she studied on the recommendation of the person who led the institute’s drama club. After training, Nina worked at the Perm Drama Theater and the capital's Hermitage Theater of Miniatures.
Alexandra's personal life
As difficult as it was for Alexandra to climb the career ladder, her experience of relationships with the opposite sex was just as difficult. The position of the princess with the theater king, albeit jokingly, unofficially and as if in make-believe, left its mark on all her novels, without exception. Young Sasha, upon entering Pike, immediately found herself in the center of male attention. No matter what anyone says, her appearance is bright and memorable.
The first who dared to openly confess was college student Edik Toman. Many thought that their courtship would be perceived as direct toadying to Mark Zakharov. And Alexandra herself narrowed her eyes too much, assessing everyone who approached her through the prism of his true intentions. Her student everyday life was so complicated and difficult, it’s no wonder that she never appreciated her obvious and sincere admirer. Eduard left for Tallinn with nothing, which he later greatly regretted.
You need to take such prickly girls by storm and put maximum effort into it. And don’t mumble something incomprehensible.
Among Alexandra’s memorable passionate novels, we can mention her relationship with Sergei Ashkenazy, the director of the film “Kill the Dragon.” Feelings flared up right on the set of the film, the sophisticated director was smitten by the unique charm of the young actress. But later the relationship fizzled out, filming ended, and the fairy tale came to an end.
There was also a bright romance with Andrei Sokolov in the theater, but it also turned out to be short-lived and died out before it had time to flare up.
Alexandra Zakharova had family life only once - with actor Vladimir Steklov from 1991 to 2000. Such extraordinary personalities are won over by talent, and not by the number of muscles on the body or biceps on the arms. Vladimir reminded her of Vysotsky, the manner of performing roles on stage and the timbre of his voice charmed Sasha, which led to a long-term relationship that lasted 9 years.
The husband had a daughter from his first marriage, but for Alexandra the task of giving birth was beyond her. Children never appeared in the marriage, which was the reason for separation. The relationship deteriorated and the couple decided to file for divorce. Just then a crow swooped in and started cawing about divorce. Steklov, together with his wife, also changed his place of work, and rumors immediately spread that Mark Anatolyevich had thus taken revenge on his son-in-law. In subsequent interviews, Vladimir rejected all insinuations and explained that the break with the theater occurred for creative reasons.
Later he married again, but Alexandra never married again. Her old love is the theater, and she remained faithful to it. And to avoid boredom on long evenings, I got a dog. However, they say that our heroine has a loved one, but that’s a completely different story. Alexandra carefully hides her chosen one; he has nothing to do with bohemia.
Childhood and youth
The biography of Alexandra Zakharova is of interest to those who are interested in Russian theater and cinema. The girl was born in Moscow, in the family of an actress and director, so it is generally accepted that her fate was predetermined in advance. The child spent the entire school year behind the scenes, and in the summer he went on tour with his parents.
The mother and father practically lived at work, so there was neither energy nor time left to raise their daughter and check her school progress. Alexandra spent her childhood with friends of her parents - actors and actresses, among whom was Tatyana Peltzer. The woman took upon herself the upbringing and conversations with school teachers, who accused Sasha of an irresponsible attitude towards school and constant absenteeism.
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Alexandra Zakharova was not interested in attending classes because they bored her. Reading Solovyov, Solzhenitsyn, Berdyaev and other authors who were not included in the school curriculum brought much more pleasure. Thanks to this, as well as communication with interesting people (including cultural figures), Zakharova received a certificate with good grades.
In her youth, Alexandra dreamed of becoming an actress, so the question of choosing a profession did not arise before her. Of all the theater universities, Zakharova liked the school named after. Boris Shchukin. The examiners, who knew that the daughter of a popular person was applying to them, made her a number of concessions (the girl had little understanding of the history of the CPSU, which she had to take). Subsequently, Alexandra was enrolled in the acting department, where she studied until 1983.
What has changed in the actress’s life after plastic surgery?
There is no information that plastic surgery really happened. Zakharova is not the kind of person who will be frank about herself and post photos of every minute of her life on the Internet. In this sense, you will have to figure it out yourself.
Experts agree that for some time now the actress’s facial expressions have changed, wrinkles have disappeared from the upper part of her face, folds have smoothed out, and in general Alexandra has clearly looked younger. This effect is manifested with a circular lift and the use of Botox to smooth out age-related changes on the face. Unfortunately, it is impossible to assess the result of a surgeon’s intervention in advance; to some extent, plastic surgery is associated with the risk of ending up with an irrevocably damaged appearance.
What has changed with Alexandra, what is wrong? This question haunts me and many other fans of her talent. The charm of youth was gone, the face seemed petrified and hardened, as if it had been worked on not by a doctor, but by a sculptor. The eyes narrowed and turned into small slits. This is the price for rejuvenation.
But not everything is lost, her smile remained, the outlines of her face did not change, she did not lose her appearance. Let's hope that the consequences of Botox injections are temporary and Zakharova will still appear before the viewer as she has always been loved.
After all, by and large, she always surprised and amazed us. This unpredictability is why they love her. The fact that now her face is not so mobile and is not able to fully express emotions cannot be avoided. We'll have to live with this. Plastic surgery cannot work miracles; how many years Zakharova lost with its help is still a big question.
Emergence of popularity
In 1988, a film was released, after which Alexandra began to be recognized on the streets. She played the swindler Rukoyatkina in “Criminal Talent” and, in her own words, was born as an actress. After such success, Zakharova got interesting roles in films.
She played in different films, but this was not enough for her. The woman repeatedly complained that she could not open up fully due to the lack of interesting offers. There was another problem: when Alexandra was called to work on projects that she liked, she was busy with theater productions.
Zakharova has been a People's Artist of the Russian Federation since 2001. Before and after receiving the title, she became a state prize laureate. Despite her services to her homeland, the actress often starred in erotic scenes (sometimes partially undressed, sometimes naked).
Film career
- The House That Swift Built;
- Love Formula;
- Kill the dragon;
- Criminal talent;
- Hostage;
- Gray wolves;
- Master and Margarita;
- Thin little thing;
- Another life.
The list mentions the most significant films in which the actress showed herself to the fullest, the roles are all completely unforgettable and outstanding. In fact, this list could stretch to a whole page. Here are the courtyard wench Fimka and Gella, a female vampire from Woland’s retinue, and many more characters well known to the general public.
I ask you, whoever has the opportunity, go to the theater! Enjoy the performance of the national artist, despite all the ups and downs of life, she has not lost her charm and is able to surprise you. Don’t listen to envious people, there were always a lot of them around her, drive these “well-wishers” away from you.
A turning point in creativity
Everything changed in 1986, when Soviet screenwriter and director Gleb Anatolyevich Panfilov decided to stage Hamlet on a new stage. In this performance, the girl played Ophelia and performed on the same stage with famous actors: Alexander Abdulov, Inna Churikova, Mikhail Kazakov. Thanks to this production, Zakharov saw talent in his daughter and began to trust her with good roles.
Now the actress participates in 15-16 performances every month. She plays Agafya Tikhonovna, Chava, Ranevskaya in The Cherry Orchard, Almaviva, etc. Zakharova treats the theater (especially Lenkom) with love and reverence. Alexandra Zakharova calls it a national treasure that contributes to the formation of a person.
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Alexandra’s career in cinema began to take shape earlier than on stage. In 1982, she received her first role in a film and played one of the main characters. Later she took part in another film directed by Zakharov, “Formula of Love.” Thanks to Zakharova’s efforts, the episodic character turned out to be bright and interesting, and many of her lines became catchphrases.
Husband, children: yes or no
In 1991, the actress entered into an official marriage. Her chosen one was Vladimir Steklov, with whom she lived for 9 years. Detractors said that the mediocre actor dreams of a career in Lenkom. Moreover, he marries only to become related to the leader Zakharov. When the couple separated, the ex-husband quarreled with the director, and his career began to decline. Alexandra and Vladimir never had children.
The example of the best man for an actress was her father. But an example of marriage is the Zakharova family into which she was born. Nina and Mark lived together for more than 50 years in complete harmony. The woman explained the failures in her personal life by falling in love and by the fact that she could not find the right person. Some believe that the culprit is inflated self-esteem or overprotection on the part of the father.
The actress's loves were theater and dogs. She cares not only about her pets, but also about others. Zakharova is involved in charity work and helps homeless animals find responsible and attentive owners.
Theater
To avoid misunderstandings, Mark Zakharov, before accepting his daughter into the troupe of the theater he directed, held a secret vote. Alexandra was accepted. For a long time, the girl had to go on stage as an extra. But the artist not only endured it - she was happy from every appearance on the stage, because she had dreamed of Lenkom a long time ago.
Oleg Yankovsky and Alexandra Zakharova in the play “The Jester Balakirev”
The breakthrough happened when Gleb Panfilov came to Lenkom and decided to stage Hamlet on this stage. The director entrusted the role of Ophelia to Alexandra Zakharova. Only after this work did the father begin to give his daughter leading roles. The actress appeared in the productions “Funeral Prayer”, “The Seagull”, “Crazy Day, or The Marriage of Figaro”, “Barbarian and Heretic”, “The Jester Balakirev”.
Then a series of plays were staged in succession, in which Alexandra Markovna regularly appears every year and continues to play today.
At the end of 2004, the premiere of the production “All-in” by Mark Zakharov based on the comedy play “The Last Victim” by Alexander Nikolaevich Ostrovsky took place. Here the actress received the role of the young widow Yulia Pavlovna Tugina.
Alexandra Zakharova in the play “The Cherry Orchard”
The next performance was also staged by Alexandra Zakharova’s father, as were all subsequent performances with the participation of the actress. In 2007, Alexandra Markovna played the role of the bride, as well as the merchant daughter Agafya Tikhonovna Kuperdyagina, in the play “Marriage” based on the comedy work of the same name by Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol.
Two years later, the actress received a role in another famous classic play “The Cherry Orchard” by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov. In the production of the same name, the heroine of the actress was the landowner Lyubov Andreevna Ranevskaya. The premiere of the play first took place in St. Petersburg and only then was transferred to the Moscow stage. It is interesting that a number of new performances with the participation of the actress appeared steadily and regularly with breaks of two years.
Alexandra Zakharova in the play “Jumping”
In 2011, Alexandra Markovna played the role of the peasant widow Ose, the mother of the main character, in a production based on the world classic “Peer Gynt” by Henrik Ibsen. The author of the stage adaptation of the famous dramatic poem was Mark Zakharov, who also acted as the director, but in collaboration with Oleg Glushkov.
In 2013, the role of Olga Ivanovna in the play “The Jumper” was added to the stage biography of Alexandra Zakharova. Moreover, despite the name, this is not a direct production based on the plot of the story of the same name by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, but a contamination of a number of tragicomic stories by the author, including “The Jumper,” as well as “The Choir Girl” and “The Black Monk.”
Alexandra Zakharova in the play “Walpurgis Night”
The actress’s next performance, also, despite the title, turned out to be the author’s adaptation of three literary sources at once. This time the director’s gaze focused on the work of Venedikt Erofeev, whose three works “Walpurgis Night, or the Commander’s Steps”, “Notes of a Psychopath” and the famous prose poem “Moscow - Cockerels” formed the basis for the production of “Walpurgis Night”. Here Alexandra Zakharova played the role of Zinochka.
Today Alexandra Markovna rightfully takes her place among the leading actors of Lenkom. And even her demanding father admitted that the actress managed to prove that she was not an accident in the profession.
Figure parameters and appearance
Alexandra Zakharova (photos of the actress before and after plastic surgery have become clear evidence of the dangers of using aesthetic treatment methods) has an outstanding appearance, but the actress has never been considered a classic beauty.
The distinctive features of the movie star have always been bright, blond hair and large facial features, which gave the actress a special charm and prettiness , as well as incredible charisma, instantly distinguishing Alexandra from a crowd of even the most recognized beauties.
Figure parameters:
Height | 168 cm |
Weight | 61 kg |
Hair color | Light |
Eye color | Blue |
Appearance type | European |
Nationality | Russian |
The actress always carefully hid her figure measurements, but it is known for certain that the charming and funny Fimka, at 57 years old, was able to maintain a youthful figure without adding a single extra centimeter to her waist.