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Klara NovikovaActress
Date of Birth: 12.12.1946
Country:  Russia |
Content:
Biography of Clara Novikova
Clara Novikova is a well-known actress in Russia, famous for her appearances in comedic television shows. Her monologues are vibrant and brilliant, evoking genuine laughter and smiles. She has created a gallery of memorable characters, and her talent turns amusing texts into a fireworks display of fun and positive emotions. While the audience laughs at her characters, they admire Clara Novikova herself. With her extravagant, energetic, and witty personality, she captivates attention. She has become more than just a comedian; she is a true star of the entertainment and theater scene, delighting her fans with her creativity.
Early Life
Clara Borisovna Novikova (nee Hertser) was born in Kiev. The future People's Artist of Russia was born into a family of a housewife and a front-line soldier who later became a director of a shoe store. Her father was stern, despotic, and kept everything under strict control. For the slightest misbehavior, Clara and her brother Leonid were punished, and if they acted out, they would be whipped. Their mother always sided with their father and rarely stood up for the children. The atmosphere in the Hertser household was often tense. Clara, knowing the consequences of mischief, grew up very reserved and introverted. It is no coincidence that she chose artistic reading over other childhood activities. It was there that she first began to display and develop her acting talent. And it was there that she realized she wanted to be an actress, although she was not entirely confident in her abilities. Her father regularly criticized her, and Clara believed herself to be awkward and unattractive. However, within the walls of the recreational institution, she became more lively and active. The young girl fell in love with the art of acting from the depths of her soul. Perhaps, due to conflicts with her parents, the childhood of the entertainment star was not particularly joyful. And it is not excluded that it was because of the lack of smiles and laughter in her family that Clara gravitated towards humor.
Early Career and Success
After finishing school, Clara enrolled in the Kiev Studio of Variety and Circus Arts. The renowned educational institution was a home more dear to her than her own parental apartment. Her father did not approve of her choice, believing that a frivolous profession would bring her neither happiness nor money. He often asked his daughter to quit her studies and go to a "normal" university. Needless to say, the young woman displayed a strong character and steadfastly continued to pursue her dream, honing her stagecraft. Thanks to her strength of spirit, perseverance, and extraordinary talent, she became what she dreamed of – a variety actress, one of the most beloved and popular female comedians.
During her time at the circus school, Clara Hertser met her first husband, drummer Victor Novikov, whom she quickly married while still in her second year. The marriage was not long-lived or successful. However, it is by her husband's surname, which she kept after their divorce, that she is known and loved throughout the former Soviet Union.
After completing her studies at the Kiev Studio, Clara chose to leave her childhood home, where she was never fully understood. She moved to Moscow and enrolled in GITIS (the Russian University of Theatre Arts). Still a student, the future People's Artist participated in an all-union competition for variety artists. She was honored as a laureate of the event. This award was of great value since the chairman of the jury was none other than Arkady Raikin himself.
A few years later, after graduating from GITIS, Novikova found a job at Mosconcert, a renowned concert agency in Moscow, where she settled permanently. Regularly performing on stage, the Ukrainian actress honed her talent. She quickly became one of the audience's favorites. Of course, it took some time for the people of Moscow and the city's visitors to start going to the theater for "Novikova's shows". However, her name became known to all lovers of variety entertainment quite rapidly. Clara wrote the texts for her own performances and also performed monologues written by other authors. Some were funny and poignant, while others were less so. For each new scene, the actress carefully selected a stage image, preferring to surprise the audience with variety. One day, fate brought the rising star together with her compatriot, playwright Maryan Belenky. Their collaboration led to the birth of Novikova's most famous character – Aunt Sonya. This character became truly legendary. No Novikova show is complete without the participation of this colorful persona. Aunt Sonya's appearance is always the highlight of the performance. Belenky wrote the first monologue for this extraordinary aunt, and subsequent texts were penned by other authors. With her trademark character, Clara Borisovna toured the entire USSR. Everywhere she went, audiences applauded Aunt Sonya. And those who couldn't attend her live performances enjoyed her concerts on television. Despite private tours and regular appearances on comedy television shows, Novikova managed to secure a position at the Moscow Theater of Miniatures, led by Mikhail Zhvanetsky. She began her service there in 1992. In the year she joined the theater, Novikova received the prestigious professional award "Golden Ostap." This award is presented to outstanding masters of satire and humor. The actress also earned the Arkady Raikin Cup, which she received in 1995 at an international festival in Riga.
In 2003, Clara Borisovna was invited to star in the television film "The Snow Queen," which was filmed in her homeland, where she portrayed the amusing crow, Clara. A year later, she participated in another television project, a remake of the popular Soviet comedy "Queen of the Gas Station 2." Novikova also appeared in "Eralash," and it is her voice that speaks as Mikhail Natanovich's mother in the film adaptation of the cult play "Radio Day."
In 2010, Clara Borisovna decided to try herself in a new genre and played her first dramatic role in a play called "In the Shadow of the Grapevine," based on a story by Nobel laureate Isaac Bashevis Singer.
As for her personal life, Novikova married for the second time (her first husband passed away in 2009) and has a daughter and three grandchildren. Her career shows no signs of slowing down. Clara Borisovna continues to delight everyone who loves Russian variety entertainment.
