Rafael Kotandjyan Actor Date of Birth: 09.09.1942 Country: Georgia

1. Childhood and Education
2. Theatrical Career
3. Film and Television
4. Pedagogy
5. Personal Life
6. Death

Childhood and Education

Rafael Kotanjyan was born on September 9, 1942, in Tbilisi, Georgia. His father, a civil servant, hoped for him to pursue architecture, while his mother instilled in him a love for the arts. Throughout his childhood and adolescence, Kotanjyan was exposed to the vibrant world of theater and performance through his mother's influence.

Theatrical Career

After graduating high school, Kotanjyan joined the acting workshop of Sargsyan Kocharyan at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography. Upon graduating in 1964, he pursued further training in television direction in Moscow.

Kotanjyan began his theatrical career immediately after graduating from Yerevan Institute. He joined the troupe of the Zangezur Drama Theater in Kapan and later moved to the "Arshakuni" Youth Theater in Yerevan. Following his studies in Moscow, he worked as a director at Armenian television and as an actor at the Yerevan Drama Theater for 23 years.

Kotanjyan's stage credits include "The Naked King," "Forget Herostratus," and over 50 other productions. He later became a pedagogue, sharing his knowledge and expertise with emerging actors.

Film and Television

Kotanjyan made his film debut in a minor role in the 1968 Soviet comedy "The Diamond Arm." His talent was fully realized in the 1992-93 adventure melodrama "Hearts of Three," where he played the villainous character Senor Alvarez Torres.

In 1997, Kotanjyan starred in the Ukrainian historical drama series "Roksolana," portraying the role of Pargali Ibrahim Pasha, Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire. He played the role for the first two seasons, highlighting the character's complexity and revealing the treachery of Turkish politics.

Pedagogy

Kotanjyan's passion for teaching stemmed from his concern over the decline of Soviet satire and the erosion of theatrical culture. As a педагоgue, he aimed to revive the high standards of acting skills, knowledge, and erudition. He believed in the transformative power of art and encouraged his students to seek spiritual and artistic fulfillment.

Personal Life

Kotanjyan met his wife, Alla, at the theater and credited her as the most important woman in his life. Together, they raised their children and played an active role in the upbringing of their grandchildren. Kotanjyan maintained a deep love for Armenia and refused to emigrate even during challenging times.

Death

Rafael Kotanjyan passed away in Yerevan in mid-June 2022, three months shy of his 80th birthday. The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports confirmed his death, expressing condolences to his family but not disclosing the cause of death.