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Valery NikolaevActor, choreographer
Date of Birth: 23.08.1965
Country:  Russia |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Valery Nikolaev, a renowned Russian actor, ballet director, film star, and producer, was born in Moscow on August 23, 1965. In his youth, Nikolaev pursued gymnastics, aspiring to achieve the Candidate for Master of Sports (CMS) title. However, a severe injury forced him to abandon his athletic ambitions. Initially, he had no interest in acting, preferring the life of a long-distance captain or race car driver. His interest in his future profession emerged during high school, where teachers involved him in impromptu performances and open lessons that incorporated elements of theater.
Nikolaev attempted to enroll in several theater schools in 1982 but faced rejection. Despite this setback, he gained admission to the Moscow Forestry Engineering Institute. After spending a year there, he realized his true calling lay in theater. In 1983, he reapplied to various theater institutes and was accepted into Oleg Tabakov's class at the Moscow Art Theater School (MKhAT). Upon graduation in 1990, he joined the MKhAT. A.P. Chekhov troupe alongside renowned actors such as Philip Jankowski, Yevgeny Mironov, Alena Khovanskaya, Vladimir Mashkov, and Irina Apeksimova.
Acting Career
After completing his first year at MKhAT, Nikolaev's burgeoning acting career was put on hold due to his military service. Upon returning to civilian life, he resumed his acting education. In the late 1980s, Nikolaev traveled to the United States twice for training. In 1988 and 1989, he studied jazz and tap dancing at Florida International University and the Sarasota University, earning diplomas in dance. Nikolaev became proficient in tap and rock-and-roll dancing, skills that proved valuable in his acting career. One of his earliest film appearances was a cameo in the comedy "Shirley-Myrli," where he performed a tap dance sequence with his wife Irina Apeksimova.
Continuing his education in the United States, Nikolaev attended The Juilliard School in New York, the Barbican Centre theater school, and the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey. Valery Nikolaev is recognized as one of the few Russian actors who have achieved significant success both in Russia and abroad.
Films
Following the completion of his studies under Oleg Tabakov, the aspiring actor made several film appearances, but these roles failed to bring him widespread recognition. The most notable project of that time was Georgy Danelia's film "Nastya," in which Nikolaev played the lead role alongside Polina Kutepova. In the late 1990s, Nikolaev sought opportunities in Hollywood, where he was often cast as "typical" Russians. Foreign films featuring Nikolaev include "The Saint" starring Val Kilmer, "Aberration," and "U Turn" with Jennifer Lopez, Sean Penn, and Jon Voight. Nikolaev also appeared in several episodes of popular American television series.
The actor has personal connections with Tom Hanks, Val Kilmer, Robert De Niro, and Leonardo DiCaprio and has collaborated with esteemed directors such as Oliver Stone, Steven Spielberg, and Phillip Noyce. Nikolaev gained widespread fame in Russia with his role in the 1999 television series "Den Rozhdeniya Burzhuya" ("Birthday of the Bourgeois"). In 2001, the sequel to this series enjoyed similar success, firmly establishing Nikolaev as one of Russia's most popular television stars.
Nikolaev continued to star in several successful adventure and detective projects, including international productions. In 2006, he appeared in the television series "V Ritme Tango" ("To the Rhythm of Tango"). In this multi-part melodrama, the actor shared the screen with Natalia Oreiro, the Argentine singer and actress who had gained immense popularity in Russia after the success of the television series "Bogatye i Znamenitye" ("Rich and Famous") and "Divoky Angel" ("Wild Angel"). The project was highly acclaimed and renewed interest in Nikolaev among Russian-speaking audiences.
Following the success of "V Ritme Tango," Valery Nikolaev ventured into directing with the film "Medvezhya Okhota" ("Bear Hunt"). For his work on this project, he received the Golden Phoenix Film Festival award for Best Directorial Debut. In 2008, Nikolaev established his own production company, Veles-film. In 2011, he took on the roles of screenwriter and director for the historical project "Poedinki: Vervbovshchik" ("Duels: The Recruiter").
Television Projects
In the winter of 2008, Nikolaev participated in the second season of the television show "Tsirk so Zvezdami" ("Circus with Stars"). He competed against Anita Tsoi, Timur Batrutdinov, Natalia Podolskaya, and Irina Lachina. Nikolaev and Irina Chaschina emerged as the winners of the season.
Viewers fondly remember Nikolaev's participation in this show for his humorous clown antics and flexibility during an aerial acrobatics performance. In his youth, the actor had aspired to become an Olympic gymnastics champion, but an arm fracture ended his athletic career. Decades later, his skills proved invaluable in securing his victory in the circus competition.
In 2014, Nikolaev tried his hand at the project "Lednikovy Period" ("Ice Age"), where he partnered with Maria Petrova. However, he was unable to replicate his success from "Tsirk so Zvezdami" after sustaining a knee injury during rehearsals, forcing the pair to withdraw from the competition.
Personal Life
Valery Nikolaev's personal life has been entwined with several prominent actresses. His first marriage (1983-1988) was to actress Natalia Pirogova. In 1987, the actor began dating Irina Apeksimova, who became his second wife. The couple welcomed a daughter, Darya.
In 2000, the marriage ended, and Nikolaev began an affair with actress Darya Poverennova, which lasted for three years. The relationship was closely scrutinized by the public, who speculated that it was the reason for Nikolaev's separation.
In an interview after the end of their relationship, Poverennova revealed that at the time their feelings developed, both she and Nikolaev had already ended their previous relationships, although they had not yet finalized the necessary paperwork. She also admitted that after their breakup, she continued to hope for their reconciliation for two years.
Nikolaev's relationship with Poverennova ended due to his newfound love. At that time, he was already living with the renowned singer Tatyana Ovsienko. Their romance lasted for four years, but it also ended in 2007, reinforcing Nikolaev's reputation as a heartthrob.
Nikolaev's last official lover was Lyubov Tikhomirova, his fellow castmate in the play "Dorogaya Pamela." Their relationship, which spanned a year, concluded with another broken heart. In various interviews, the actress and theater performer has openly criticized her former partner's character.
The press frequently speculates about a potential reconciliation between Nikolaev and his former wife, Irina Apeksimova. The actors do not
