Biography

Elena Kimovna Popova was born on April 17, 1956, in Leningrad, Russia, USSR (now St. Petersburg, Russia). From 1975-1979 she studied acting and graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Theatre, Music, and Cinematography as an actress. Popova shot to fame after starring as Nurse Shura in TV series Batalyony prosyat ognya (1985).

Since 1978 Elena Popova has been a permanent member of the legendary troupe of Bolshoi Drama Theatre (BDT) in St. Petersburg (Leningrad) upon personal invitation from director Georgi Tovstonogov. She worked with Tovstonogov for 12 years. During that time Elena Popova worked with an outstanding ensemble of actors at BDT. There her stage partners were such stars as Alisa Freyndlikh, Kirill Lavrov, Oleg Basilashvili, Svetlana Kryuchkova, Vsevolod Kuznetsov, Gennadiy Bogachyov, Andrey Tolubeev, and many other remarkable Russian actors.

Elena Popova was designated the title of People's Artist of Russia. In 2000 she was awarded the "Golden Mask" Prize for her theatrical performance at Bolshoi Drama Theatre in St. Petersburg. In 2004 Elena Popova was decorated the Pushkin Medal of Russia for her important contribution to Russian theatrical art. She played over 30 roles in film and television. Elena Popova is currently residing in St. Petersburg, Russia.
- IMDb mini biography by: Steve Shelokhonov