Nonna Koperjinskaya Actress Date of Birth: 01.05.1920 Country: Ukraine

Biography of Nonna Koperzhinskaya

Nonna Koperzhinskaya was a Ukrainian actress who gained recognition for her memorable performances in a few supporting roles, despite not having many leading roles to her name. She was born on May 1, 1920, in Kiev, during the tumultuous period of the Russian Civil War. Her mother was studying to become a doctor and gave birth to Nonna while attending medical courses. At the age of two, Nonna lost her father and her mother was sent to serve in Donbass, where Nonna spent her childhood in the city of Dimitrov. She grew up lively, expressive, and talkative, and began displaying her acting talents from a young age. During those difficult times, Nonna would dress in rags and pretend to be a beggar, convincingly begging for food from passersby. Her performances were so compelling that people couldn't resist giving her something to eat. However, when her mother found out about her antics, she put a stop to it.

Nonna excelled academically in school and was known for her wit and cheerful nature. She fell in love with theater during her seventh grade, and even considered leaving home to join a traveling theater troupe. However, the advice of adults convinced her to reconsider. By the time she finished school in Kiev, Nonna had almost forgotten about her past passion and intended to pursue a career as a chemist or pharmacist at Kiev University. However, a chance encounter led her to the doorstep of the theater institute. In 1938, Nonna became a student in the workshop of renowned Soviet actor Amvrosiy Buchma. Even as a first-year student, she caught the eye of Aleksandr Dovzhenko, who gave her the opportunity to step onto a film set for the first time. However, the outbreak of World War II in 1941 put her studies on hold. Nonna was only able to return to university and start her career in the theater after 1945.

In 1946, Nonna joined the Ivan Franko Theater and remained loyal to it throughout her life. She played numerous roles on its stage, including Love Shevtsova in "Young Guard," Varvara in "My Friends," and the old nanny in "Uncle Vanya." Some of these performances were adapted for television.

Nonna made her film debut in the early 1950s, portraying peasant women in films such as "Kalina krasnaya," "Fate of Marina," and "When the Cuckoo Cries." Soviet audiences easily related to Nonna's characters, who represented hardworking women of their generation who had endured war and hardships. She often played mothers, earning the nickname "Mother of All Ukraine." In 1967, Nonna was recognized as a People's Artist of the Ukrainian SSR, thanks, in part, to her outstanding performances in the comedy "Chasing Two Hares" and the 1963 hit movie "The Queen of Gas Station."

Nonna also appeared in films such as "Criminal Investigation Inspector," "Restless," and "Goodbye, Pharaohs!" Her final work was the series "Island of Love," dubbed the "Ukrainian Decameron," in which she played the nanny to a young noblewoman.

In her personal life, Nonna was married twice. Her first marriage, which took place when she was young, ended quickly. Her second husband, Ukrainian director Pavel Shkreba, had a profound impact on her life. Nonna met him at the age of 33 and gave birth to their youngest son Dmitry when she was almost 40. Their creative family was happy, working together and raising their children in harmony. However, tragedy struck when Pavel fell ill. After nearly a decade of suffering, he passed away in 1985 due to a stroke. Nonna's world darkened after her husband's death, and she faced further challenges when her eldest son became seriously ill and had to seek treatment abroad. Her beloved granddaughter also left to live with her husband in the United States. Nonna only saw the loved ones dear to her heart through photographs. She was eventually forced to leave the theater, where she had served faithfully for many years, due to malicious rumors about her being a freeloader.

Losses of loved ones and the absence of her beloved work took a toll on Nonna's health and well-being as she aged. She became thin and hunched over, but never lost her sense of humor, even making jokes about her impending death. Nonna passed away on June 10, 1999. She was buried at the Baikove Cemetery in Kiev, next to the remains of her beloved husband.