Svetlana Toma Moldovan actress Date of Birth: 24.05.1947 Country: Moldova

Biography of Svetlana Toma

Svetlana Toma is a Moldovan actress and was awarded the title of "Best Actress of Moldovan cinema of the 20th century" at the Gala of Moldovan Cinema in 2000. She was also named "Actress of the Year" by Sovetskii Ekran magazine in 1976. Toma studied at the Law Faculty of the University of Kishinev for less than a year before graduating from the Kishinev Institute of Art named after G. Musicescu in 1969.

Toma started her acting career in 1969 as a member of the A.P. Chekhov Russian Theater in Kishinev. She made her film debut in 1966 in Emil Loteanu's "Red Meadows", where she played the role of Ioanna. Since 1976, she has been an actress at the Theater-Studio of the Moldova-Film Studio.

Toma's childhood was spent in a Moldovan village, where she experienced the hardships of rural life. During her summer vacations, she would visit her aunts, her mother's sisters, who lived in a completely different environment with strict etiquette and old-fashioned furniture. She was raised by her aunts and was pushed to read Russian classics like Pushkin and Tolstoy. She was also required to keep a diary, a habit she continues to this day. Despite the strict upbringing, her aunts often referred to her as a "country girl" and compared her to her sister, who had achieved academic success.

After finishing school, Toma initially pursued a legal career and enrolled in the Law Faculty of the University of Kishinev. However, her path took a different turn when she caught the attention of Mikhail Badikov, who played her father in the film "Red Meadows". She was invited to audition for a role in a film by Emil Loteanu, and that marked the beginning of her acting career. She left her law studies and signed a contract with the Moldova-Film Studio.

During her early years in the film industry, Toma faced challenges while working with Loteanu. He was demanding and would often berate her, pushing her to physical limits to achieve perfection in her performances. Despite the difficult working relationship, Toma developed a deep emotional bond with Loteanu and they had an unconventional romance that lasted for many years. However, they never officially married.

Toma's career flourished after her breakthrough role in Loteanu's film "Tabakov's Troupe Goes to Heaven", which made her a star. She went on to act in numerous films, but her association with Loteanu eventually diminished as he became preoccupied with a different vision for his films. Toma continued to act in both theater and film, winning accolades and international recognition for her performances.

Throughout her career, Toma has remained dedicated to her craft, immersing herself in each role and giving her all. She has received numerous awards and has been celebrated for her ability to fully embody her characters. Despite her success, Toma remains humble and continues to pursue her passion for acting.