Leonid Hazanov Comedian, actor, double of Gennady Khazanov Date of Birth: 04.06.1957 Country: Russia

Biography of Leonid Khazanov

Leonid Khazanov, a humorist and actor, has been mistaken for being the famous Gennady Khazanov's brother numerous times throughout his thirty-year career. Born on June 4, 1957, in the village of Levada, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Ukraine, Leonid started his artistic journey in the Ukrainian countryside.

Initially, Leonid specialized in magic tricks at the Kiev Variety Circus School and dreamt of creating his own illusion show. However, he mainly began his career as a compere, announcing acts and occasionally showcasing his own manipulations. Despite not intending to work in the conversational genre, audiences would often remark on his resemblance to Gennady Khazanov and expect him to tell jokes.

Eventually, at the request of the audience, Leonid learned and performed the monologue "Culinary Institute" and gained popularity. This led to his own program, posters, and tours. He performed in various military units, prisons, and factories, receiving numerous letters of appreciation from their commanders and management. Leonid worked harder and performed more than Gennady Khazanov during the 80s, with a team of three concert directors managing his busy schedule.

During the 2000s, Leonid faced accusations of using his surname for financial gain, with people suggesting that Gennady should receive a share of the profits. However, Leonid argued that talent, not a surname, determines success in the entertainment industry. He performed in challenging locations such as Dagestan and Chechnya, where his catchphrase, "Throw money in my face! Make me happy!" became popular among the locals. Despite some negative feedback, Leonid always confronted the criticism and used it as an opportunity for creative discussion.

Currently, at the age of 55, Leonid lives alone in a modest apartment in Simferopol, Crimea. He insists that he never chased money and lived day by day, spending his earnings freely. Leonid recalls lavish parties and providing entertainment for directors and officials. He carried many secrets, including his family's, as he believes they should remain private. Leonid self-proclaimed himself as an Honored Artist of both Russia and Ukraine, despite lacking official documentation. He believes that his contributions to the arts justify the title and desires to be recognized as an entertainer in his own right, rather than just Gennady Khazanov's brother.

Irina Kobza, director of the Odessa Film Studio, praises Leonid as a talented and versatile actor. She acknowledges the resemblance between him and Gennady but considers him primarily for his skill, not their alleged relationship. Despite the lack of DNA analysis, Leonid's connection with Gennady remains a mystery. During the filming of "Caucasian Captive 2," Gennady revealed that he first met Leonid in Simferopol, where the latter introduced himself as a performer using their shared surname.

Leonid's creative biography extends beyond his appearances in comedy shows and satirical events. He toured Ukraine with the popular Californian group "Samodzhi," showcasing various talents and organizing diverse acts. The advertisements for their concerts rivaled those of Iokanaan Marusidze, promising spirit materialization and elephant giveaways in the style of "The Golden Calf." Leonid fondly recalls these experiences, which allowed him to explore creativity outside of his acting career.

While Leonid Khazanov's filmography includes roles in various movies and TV series, he considers cinema to be the most important form of art. His acting career began at the age of 19 in the film "Open Book," where director Victor Titov entrusted him with the role of a young doctor. He later appeared in films such as "Black Castle of Olshansk" (1983), "Kankan in the English Park" (1984), "The Odessa Feat" (1985), "War on the Western Front" (1990), and "Hold On, Cossack!" (1991). Currently, Leonid frequently receives invitations to appear in series such as "Women's Doctor" and "Stradivari's Pistol," and he hopes to secure more significant roles in the future.