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Boris SichkinActor
Date of Birth: 15.08.1922
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Boris Sichkin
Childhood and YouthBoris Sichkin, beloved by the whole nation for his role as the singer Buba Kastorski in "The Elusive Avengers" and "The New Adventures of the Elusive Avengers," had a deep love for his character. His iconic line "I'm an Odessan! I'm from Odessa! Hello!" became synonymous with him. Many fans were convinced that their favorite actor was actually born in the "pearl by the sea." However, he was actually born in Kiev on August 15, 1922, in a large family. Although he was born in Kiev, his parents, brothers, and sisters were all from Odessa. Boris considered himself an Odessan, as he played the role of an Odessan and was friends with the genius Odessan Leonid Utesov. He described himself as having an Odessan character, always optimistic. He inherited many good qualities from his father and mother, such as a great sense of humor, and he had no envy or greed.
Early Career
Boris Sichkin's father, a Jewish shoemaker, passed away when Boris was just four years old. His older brother, who worked as a dancer in the circus, took on the responsibility of supporting the family. He taught young Boris his skills, which he demonstrated in a Jewish market in front of gathered criminals. He performed songs, dances, and entertained the crowd in exchange for food. The memory of how he carried the honestly earned food home stayed with him forever. Despite his hunger, the future celebrity refused to eat until his sisters and mother, who had lost sensitivity in her hand and leg after her husband's death, had finished their meals. His mother continued doing laundry for others despite her deteriorating health.
At the age of 15, Boris, who had been expelled from school for running away from home, joined the local choreographic school and became part of the Ukrainian SSR Folk Dance Ensemble. He performed with them until the outbreak of World War II in 1941. From June 15, 1941, he performed for the defenders of the Motherland as part of the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Kiev Military District and later in the front ensemble with his comrades Yuri Timoshenko, Efim Berezin, Alexander Segal, and Boris Kamienkovich. The heavy physical exertion, performing two to three concerts a day in field conditions, led to joint problems that plagued him throughout his life. Boris Sichkin experienced the full extent of the Great Patriotic War, meeting many famous people, including Marshal Georgy Zhukov. He received awards for his heroic work, such as the "For Combat Merit" and "For the Capture of Berlin."
Artistic Career
After the war, Boris Sichkin spent a year as a soloist in the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Soviet Army named after A. V. Alexandrov. In 1948, he joined Moscowconcert and stayed there for almost 20 years. In 1955, he became part of Viktor Dragunsky's parody theater "Sinyaya Ptitsa" (Blue Bird), where he worked as a ballet master, author of texts, and performer of interludes.
In the film industry, Boris Sichkin, who had experienced life in a gypsy camp and worked various jobs such as a painter, welder, plumber, roofer, and cigarette seller, made his debut in 1954. He appeared in Isidor Annensky's film "Anna on the Neck," where he played one of the suitors of the character played by Alla Larionova. However, he disappeared from the screens after this film. He returned in 1962 in "The Captains of the Blue Lagoon," followed by "The Elusive Avengers" and "The New Adventures of the Elusive Avengers." These adventure films brought him nationwide fame and love. Millions of viewers dreamed of attending his concerts, and "Buba Kastorski" happily met their demands. However, this popularity played a cruel joke on him. In 1973, he was arrested in Tambov on suspicion of embezzlement of state property on a large scale. He spent a year in prison and wrote his autobiography, "I'm from Odessa! Hello!" while behind bars. The memoir was recommended to be sold in pharmacies as vitamins by Saveliy Kramarov. During the investigation, it was revealed that the actor not only did not take anything extra but also received less than he was entitled to. As a result, he was completely acquitted.
Despite this, he faced difficulties in his personal life and acting career. He was cut from almost all the films he was involved in, including "On War as it Was" and "Varvara-Krasa, Dlinnaya Kosa." In 1979, with his family, $40 in his pocket, and one suitcase, he left for the USA, being considered a "damaged person" by his own country.
In the United States, Boris Sichkin remained a highlight of any entertainment program, released several albums (his first American album, "Benefit on Brighton Beach," was released in 1982), and appeared in Hollywood movies. He ended up in Hollywood by chance, thanks to a recommendation from a bookstore saleswoman.
In America, he had the opportunity to work with Oliver Stone, who entrusted him with the role of Leonid Brezhnev in "Nixon," as well as actors like Anthony Hopkins and Joe Pesci. In Russia, where he returned from emigration in 1994, he appeared in "Poor Sasha" and other projects.
Personal Life
Boris Sichkin, who resembled his colleague Mikhail Vodiany, met his wife Galina Rybak during his time in the Ukrainian SSR Folk Dance Ensemble. Galina, a dancer, became his partner on the screen and stage. They got married and had one son, Emyelian, who followed in his parents' footsteps and became a composer in high demand in the USA.
Boris Sichkin lived a long and challenging life but maintained an optimistic outlook. He approached life with humor and enjoyment, even counting the 360 teapots that his wife burned as a funny moment. Unfortunately, Boris Sichkin passed away on March 21, 2002, in the USA. On that day, he had just been confirmed for the role of a godfather in a Hollywood film about the Russian mafia, and he went to celebrate the upcoming addition to his filmography with his neighbors. When he returned home, he found that the elevator was not working and had to climb six flights of stairs. According to his son, the combination of cold weather, alcohol, and physical exertion led to a heart attack, causing his death. It was a moment that could have been prevented if his son had come to him five minutes earlier.
Boris Sichkin was buried in New York, but at his wife's request, his remains were exhumed and cremated. The urn with his ashes was transported to Moscow, where it was kept by friends for six years before being placed in the columbarium of Vagankovo Cemetery. The memorial plaque on the columbarium indicates the date of his death according to Moscow time - March 22.
