Alexey Katyshev Actor Date of Birth: 17.03.1951 Country: Ukraine

1. Biography of Alexey Katyshev
2. Army Service and Recognition
3. Personal Life and Challenges
4. Struggles and Current Life

Biography of Alexey Katyshev

Alexey Katyshev was born in the Donetsk region in an ordinary working family. When his father started to have problems with his lungs, doctors suggested that they move to Yalta, which had a unique microclimate. It was in Yalta that Alexey completed his schooling. After finishing his studies, he enrolled in sound engineering courses at the Yalta Film Studio. At the same time, he worked as a microphone operator in the sound department and later as a camera assistant. It was during this time that the famous director Alexander Rou was shooting his film "Morozko" in Yalta. It was here that he noticed the handsome young man. "Young man, you have no idea what beautiful eyes you have. Such talent shouldn't go to waste," he said, offering Alexey the lead role in the fairy tale film "Fire, Water, and Copper Pipes". At the age of 17, Katyshev became a film actor. The film was a tremendous success, and Alexey Katyshev, who played the golden-haired beauty Vasya who defeated Koschei the Immortal, became not just recognizable, but wildly popular.

Army Service and Recognition

Almost immediately after filming, Alexey was drafted into the army. He was sent to serve in the Far East, in the Primorsky Krai. At first, no one in the army recognized him. But when they discovered who was serving among them, they started to showcase him as a unique exhibit in various units. Alexey performed for the soldiers, telling them about his film experience. However, his military service ended soon. The great fairy-tale director Rou cherished the young artist. It is said that he considered Alexey to be like his own son. When Rou began filming the fairy tale "Varvara-Krasa, Dlinskaya Kosa," he advocated for Katyshev's transfer to Leningrad. Alexey spent the remaining half of his service on the film set.

Personal Life and Challenges

At the age of 19, Alexey got married. However, their family life began tragically when their daughter Oksana was born and passed away soon after. It was a devastating blow. But in 1971, they had their second daughter, whom they named Oksana in memory of their late daughter. Three years later, another daughter, Yana, was born. Then came Polina. Alexander Rou advised Katyshev to apply to the Moscow Film School. However, everything went awry for Alexey after the director's death. Offers to act became fewer and fewer. He appeared in "Spring Tale," based on A. Ostrovsky's play "Snegurochka," and then permanently parted ways with the film industry.

Struggles and Current Life

Alexey couldn't handle this blow. Overnight, his numerous fans and friends disappeared. Fame is a treacherous thing, and everything crumbled in a single moment. He started drinking, first moderately and then more heavily. Scandals began in the family. In order to support his family, Alexey went to driving school and obtained a license. He got a job as a milk truck driver at the 62nd motor pool. He never expected that he would spend almost 20 years at the wheel of a milk truck. Periodically, Alexey tried to return to the film studio, but with no success.

Their daughters grew up. The oldest became an operating room nurse in a hospital, while the younger ones became sanitation workers.

Currently, it would be difficult to recognize the fallen man as the handsome prince from Rou's fairy tales. Alexey occasionally takes odd jobs, but more often than not, he collects empty bottles. He has not divorced his wife, but they have not lived together for a long time.