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Irina AzerActress
Date of Birth: 18.09.1949
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Biography of Irina Azer
- Early Life
- Modeling Career
- Film Career
- Personal Life
- Family Tragedies and Later Career
Biography of Irina Azer
IntroductionIn the history of cinema, there are many examples where the creative fate of beautiful and talented actresses turned out to be far from successful. Irina Azer's story is no exception. Although her name may not be well-known today, in the 1970s she was hailed as the "most stunning blonde of Soviet cinema" and even compared to Marilyn Monroe. Azer's life was anything but ordinary, filled with royal childhood, overwhelming success, as well as betrayal, family tragedies, and mortal danger.
Early Life
Irina Azer was born on September 18, 1949, in Baku. Her parents were a Polish pilot named Ioan and a Don Cossack named Lilia, who had met in Baku after the war. However, due to various family and political circumstances, Ioan had to return to his homeland. Lilia did not remain alone for long. She found a new partner in Reza Azer, a political exile from Iran. Reza came from a wealthy dynasty of doctors, received an education at the Sorbonne, and was a part of the Shah Pahlavi's circle. However, he later joined the Communist Party. In 1945, after an assassination attempt on the Shah, Reza Azer was sentenced to death but managed to escape to the USSR. After their marriage, Reza adopted Irina and recorded her name as Irin Abdur-Rezaevna Azer in her birth certificate. He affectionately referred to her as the "fairy of flowers" or Golyandam. Irina grew up incredibly beautiful and, from a young age, dreamed of becoming a movie star.
Modeling Career
At the age of 16, Irina started working as a model in "Soyuzmektekhorg" (Soviet Union Export Import Corporation). Despite the long hours of fashion shows and exhausting photoshoots, she was thrilled with her job. Posters with her images adorned many fur stores around the world. In 1968, she enrolled at the All-Union State Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) under the guidance of Sergei Gerasimov. Her classmates included future stars such as Belokhvostikova, Arinbasarova, Bondarchuk, and Gvozdikova.
Film Career
Irina Azer's film career could have started immediately after her enrollment at VGIK. She was approved for the lead role in the film "Old Acquaintance" (a continuation of "Carnival Night") and impressed Igor Ilinsky. However, when Gerasimov gave her an ultimatum – either filming or studying – she chose to focus on her studies. Irina appeared in short films and graduation projects at VGIK, honing her skills in makeup, hairstyling, costume design, and performing stunts. She made brief appearances in films such as "Babye Tsarstvo" (1968) and "By the Lake" (1970). Her true cinematic debut was considered to be the film "Attention, Turtle" (1970), where she portrayed the coquettish teacher, Anna Sergeevna, whom her students tried to imitate. Irina gained immense popularity among her classmates and renowned actors and directors.
Personal Life
Irina Azer's personal life took a dramatic turn when she married journalist Yuri Sushkov-Shvarts during her third year of studies. They had a daughter named Victoria in 1975. However, their marriage did not withstand the test of time, and the cause of their divorce was Yuri's photographed encounter with Hollywood star Natalie Wood. In 1972, Irina was invited to star in the four-part television series "Big Changes," which gained significant popularity among viewers. Her character, Lyuska, an attractive blonde who considered dancing more important than evening school, brought Irina nationwide recognition. She started receiving numerous acting offers and played both supporting and leading roles in films such as "Following the Horizon" (1972), "Dear Boy" (1975), and "Aquanuts" (1980). Irina also participated in the humorous TV show "Kabachok 13 Stulyev" and continued to appear in advertising campaigns.
Family Tragedies and Later Career
In the late 1970s, Irina's stepfather, Reza Azer, began experiencing painful bouts of nostalgia for his homeland. As per Iranian laws, individuals over the age of 70 were not subject to execution, and Reza sought permission to return to Iran. After a hunger strike, he was granted permission to leave the Soviet Union. Irina and her sister Deloram accompanied him to Tehran. Reza's overseas assets were estimated at 22 million dollars, and he had prepared a will in favor of his daughters. However, upon their arrival, they discovered that Reza's brother, who lived in his villa, had already sold the property. The process of reclaiming their inheritance was prolonged, and ultimately, they returned to Moscow empty-handed. Shortly after, they received news of their father's illness. The bureaucratic process of reapplying for travel documents took a considerable amount of time, and by the time they were able to return to Iran, their father was on his deathbed. Relatives refused to allocate their rightful share of the inheritance. Moreover, upon their departure, a car narrowly missed hitting Irina and her sister, saving them from a potentially fatal accident. Additionally, they faced hostility from a crowd that nearly stoned them after an encounter with Ayatollah Khomeini's supporters. With great difficulty, the women managed to leave Iran. Reza's works, which he had entrusted to the Institute of Oriental Studies, disappeared without a trace.
In the early 1980s, Irina continued to appear in several notable films, including "The Return of the Resident" (1980), "The End of the Resident" (1982), and "Secret Fairway" (1986-87), where she portrayed Marta, Charlotte Rank, and Hilda Bauer, respectively. However, her film appearances became less frequent, and even renowned actors faced challenges in securing roles. In 1990, after playing the role of a tour guide in the romantic drama "The Countess" and Hilda Bauer in the comedy-grotesque "The Imitator," Irina Azer decided to retire from acting. She transitioned into the business world, focusing on the trade of lingerie. Despite her previous fame, Irina humbly worked behind the counter, wearing glasses and a wig. Rumors circulated that her business endeavors were relatively successful.
Today, Irina lives in the United States with her daughter Victoria, who moved there with her husband and son. In 2002, Irina Azer made headlines again following the tragic suicide of her sister. Deloram fell into depression after the death of her husband and turned to alcohol. Her apartment near the "Aeroport" metro station was robbed, and she contracted hepatitis, leading to her decision to end her life. Following this event, several publications portrayed Irina and her daughter in a negative light. However, the former actress remains unfazed. She currently focuses on her entrepreneurial pursuits and is writing a memoir.
