Biography

Boris Livanov was a popular Russian actor of Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT), best known as Pozharsky in the film Minin i Pozharskiy (1939).

He was born Boris Nikolaevich Livanov on May 8, 1904, in Moscow. His parents were professional actors. Young Livanov was brought up in a highly intellectual environment of his parents' circle, he received an excellent private education, and was fond of theatre and classic Russian literature. From 1920 - 1924 he studied acting at the 4th studio of Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT). In 1924 Livanov made his film debut in silent films Morozko (1924) and 'Chetyre i Pyat' (1924).

From 1924 to 1972 Boris Livanov was a permanent member of the troupe at Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT). There his stage partners were such renown Russian actors as Konstantin Stanislavski, Ivan Moskvin, Alla Tarasova, Anatoli Ktorov, Olga Androvskaya, Angelina Stepanova, Nikolay Khmelyov, Mikhail Yanshin, Aleksey Gribov, Mark Prudkin, Mikhail Kedrov, Viktor Stanitsyn, Anastasiya Georgievskaya, Vasili Toporkov, Mikhail Bolduman, Pavel Massalsky, and the next generation of MKhAT actors - Oleg Efremov, Kira Golovko, Iya Savvina, Alla Pokrovskaya, Anastasiya Voznesenskaya, Irina Miroshnichenko, Andrey Myagkov, Vladimir Kashpur, Viktor Sergachyov, Vyacheslav Nevinnyy, Stanislav Lyubshin, Sergey Sazontev, Avangard Leontev, Igor Vasilev, and others. Bori Livanov's acting career spanned 50 years, and he was a member of the board at Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT). However, his disagreements with the new director Oleg Efremov, led to a divisive and lasting conflict within the Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT), eventually causing fragmentation of the company, and a bitter rivalry that continued even after the death of both Livanov and Efremov,

Boris Livanov received Stalin's Prize five times (1941, 1942, 1947, 1949, and 1950), and was designated People's Actor of the USSR (1948). His son, Vasiliy Livanov, is an actor. Boris Livanov died of a heart failure, on September 22, 1972, in Moscow, and was laid to rest in Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow, Russia.
- IMDb mini biography by: Steve Shelokhonov

Boris Livanov is a Soviet theater and film actor, theater director. People's Artist of the USSR.

He studied at the First City School. But in 1920, at the age of 16, he ran away from home and joined the Red Army. For about a year, he fought under the command of Aleksandr Strizhenov, the father of the future famous actors Oleg Strizhenov and Gleb Strizhenov. But it turned out that he had increased his age to join the army, after which he was dismissed and forced to return home.

In 1922-1924 he studied at the 4th Studio of the Moscow Art Theatre under Nikolay Demidov. From 1924 he served in the Moscow Art Theatre. The artist's creative style was distinguished by a powerful temperament, confident sculpting of images, and bright theatricality. He always did his own makeup. Later he played roles imbued with a major, festive sense of reality and roles of open satirical sound, performed with rare richness and richness of colors, with a captivating comedic temperament.

He began acting in 1924. The first films in his career were Morozko (1924), Karera Spirki Shpandyrya (1926), Kastus Kalinovskiy (1928), Zolotoy klyuv (1929). He became widely known for his role as Vladimir Dubrovskiy in the film Dubrovsky (1936) by director Aleksandr Ivanovsky.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tango Papa

Her last film work was the leading role in the historical drama Kremlyovskie kuranty (1970) based on the play of the same name by Nikolay Pogodin.

I came to the Moscow Art Theatre after drama school in 1924. I came, proud that I was invited straight away to play Chatskiy. When I was accepted, Konstantin Stanislavski was abroad. After his return, the newly accepted actors were introduced to him. My turn came. Konstantin Sergeevich looked at me and said: - You are a very handsome young man. I kept silent, but in my heart I, of course, absolutely agreed with him. Stanislavsky continued: - You know what? Wait with Chatskiy. Play something witty first