Nikita Podgornuy Russian actor Date of Birth: 16.02.1931 Country: Russia

1. Biography of Nikita Podgorny
2. Diagnosis and Treatment
3. Continuing his Career
4. Farewell to Beloved Places
5. The Final Act

Biography of Nikita Podgorny

Nikita Podgorny was a Russian actor who rose to fame in 1981 when he landed a role in a play based on Bondarev's novel "The Choice". The play, directed by Vladimir Andreev, portrayed the story of a man who was captured during the war, remained in Germany, and eventually returned to his homeland to die from cancer.

Diagnosis and Treatment

During a tour in Tbilisi, Podgorny began experiencing back pain. He visited a clinic where he was diagnosed with osteochondrosis. Upon returning to Moscow, his pain worsened despite various treatments such as heat therapy and massages. He would find temporary relief by taking analgesics, but the pain would always return. Although there were suspicions, previous X-rays did not reveal anything alarming.

On March 26, 1982, Podgorny received the devastating news that he had cancer. The tumor was located in a way that made it inoperable. It wrapped around the main stem of the bronchus, making surgical intervention impossible. To justify the intensive treatment, he was given a misdiagnosis of lung cirrhosis. Podgorny chose to keep his diagnosis a secret from his family and friends.

Continuing his Career

Despite the difficult circumstances, Podgorny continued to rehearse and perform in plays. He even managed to hide his diagnosis from his loved ones. The actor's health deteriorated further, resulting in difficulty breathing.

Farewell to Beloved Places

Realizing that he needed to be closer to doctors, Podgorny made the decision to return to Moscow from his beloved hometown of Shchyolkovo. He bid a cheerful farewell to those who had gathered to see him off, promising to return the following summer. However, as soon as he left Shchyolkovo, his health declined rapidly, and he had to rely on the assistance of a local truck driver to make the journey.

The Final Act

During the journey to Moscow, Podgorny had to stop frequently in towns and cities like Sudislavl, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Rostov Veliky, and Pereslavl-Zalessky to receive pain relief injections. Despite his physical suffering, Podgorny showed immense courage and dignity throughout his battle with cancer. His fellow actors were moved to tears by his strength and grace, as he continued to perform on stage, even in the final stages of the disease.

In his last scene, Podgorny ascended a staircase, almost reaching the heavens, illuminated by a bright beam of light. His final word on stage was "goodbye." This extraordinary display of strength and determination made Podgorny's final performance a memorable moment in theater history.