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Valery YaremenkoActor
Date of Birth: 21.10.1961
Country:  Russia |
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Biography of Valeriy Yaremenko
Valeriy Yaremenko, a Merited Artist of Russia, was born on October 21, 1961, in Sevastopol. His upbringing as an actor was influenced by his family, books, teachers, and most importantly, the nature that surrounded him since childhood. His family lived in a suburban military garrison in Sevastopol, where missile troops were stationed. There were few children there, so the boy was mostly left to his own devices: he swam in the sea, wandered in the steppe, and talked to flowers and flying clouds, making childhood oaths while standing on a hill and mentally transforming into a bird. The boy's worldview was shaped through his connection with nature, which helped him feel like a free person. From an early age, Valeriy Yaremenko knew that he would only be an actor, although his parents had no connection to theater or cinema. Alongside his regular schooling, Valeriy Yaremenko studied music and played the accordion, actively participating in various school competitions for singers and reciters, bringing home medals and certificates to the joy of his parents. Valeriy Yaremenko is a native of Sevastopol, and perhaps that is why he began his acting career as a sailor-singer. He willingly joined the "native army" and went there voluntarily, straight to the Song and Dance Ensemble of the Red Banner Black Sea Fleet, following the advice of his teacher, Vitaliy Innokentievich Kovalsky, after completing only a year at the Dnepropetrovsk Theater School. Working in the renowned ensemble not only provided him with a serious vocal education but also gave him the essential quality that every artist needs - a sense of freedom and spontaneity on stage.
Early Career
Prior to his discharge from the military, Valeriy Yaremenko easily gained admission to the Karpenko-Kary Theater Institute in Kiev. How could they not accept such a talented young man!? The brave sailor appeared before the admissions committee, headed by Ada Rogovtseva, in all his glory - in uniform, a striped T-shirt, an open, toothy smile, and a clear and sincere gaze. Already having experience working in a professional ensemble, Valeriy Yaremenko headed to Moscow where he graduated from the Lunacharsky State Institute for Theatre Arts (GITIS) in 1986, studying under the guidance of Boris Golubovsky, and started working at the Moscow Art Theatre. On the stage of this famous theater, the young actor appeared alongside seasoned actors such as Leonid Markov, Olga Ostroumova, and Georgy Taratorin, which gave him a special perception of himself - if you are next to them, then you must represent something. The formula seems simple, but it works flawlessly.
Career Highlights
Valeriy Yaremenko has played numerous diverse and memorable roles in the theater, including the Wild Dog in the play "The Cat That Walked by Itself," the younger brother in "The Mother of Jesus," and the street musician in the production "Cafe Prevert." A significant milestone in Valeriy Yaremenko's creative development was his role as Judas Iscariot in the Russian version of the famous rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Subsequently, Valeriy Yaremenko became one of the leading actors at the Moscow Art Theatre. He is involved in all current productions, playing roles such as Auguste de Grignan in "The Ladies' War," Boris in "The Silver Age," Mizinchikov in "Foma the Eunuch," and Larry in "The Scar," among others.
He has also played notable roles in productions of other theaters and independent projects. In the Russian Globe Theater, he portrayed Bolingbroke in "Richard II," and in the School of Modern Play, he played the roles of Baron Tigela and Valera in the play "Provocation." In the Independent Theater Project, he played Graham in "Ladies' Night" and Cavalier Ripafratta in "The Innkeeper" based on Goldoni's play. Valeriy Yaremenko also played the role of Basil the Cat in the musical "The Adventures of Buratino" at the Moscow State Creative Workshop under the direction of Alexey Rybnikov.
Valeriy Yaremenko made his film debut in 1987 in Bulat Mansurov's drama mini-series "Defeat" based on the novel by Daniil Granin, "I Go to the Storm." He then went on to play roles in the musical film "Under the Big Top" (based on the operetta "Son of a Clown" by I.O. Dunaevsky), the crime melodrama "The Con Artist and the Hippo," the musical "Tractor Drivers II" (a remake of the famous film by Ivan Pyryev), and "The Life and Extraordinary Adventures of Ivan Chonkin," among others. Valeriy also appeared in the Hollywood film "Police Academy 7" as Mikhail Kanali.
Valeriy Yaremenko is immensely grateful to director Vladimir Grammatikov and screenwriter Georgiy Daneliya for inviting him to one of the main roles in their lyrical comedy, a genuine family film, "Hello from Charlie the Trumpeter." Yaremenko skillfully played the charming pop singer Andrey Ilyin. It turned out very sweet. In addition, in this film, the actor was also allowed to sing. His on-screen partner in the film was Irina Rozanova, about whom he says, "Once again, I realized that the higher an actor's class, the better they are as a person..." Valeriy Yaremenko has also appeared in popular TV series such as "The Turetsky March" (as Valeriy Komarov), "Kamenskaya" (as set designer Pavel), "Love Is Blind" (as Yevgeny Kozlov), and even "The Nanny" (Lerik).
The actor admits that there was a time when he took on everything that "lay poorly." "There was a time when the material I really wanted to play was not offered to me. So, I pursued quantity, hoping to find at least 10 minutes of truth in that quantity, in which I could present the audience with my vision," he says. Fortunately, that time has passed, and now he refuses quantity in favor of quality. The role can be the lead or supporting, comedic or tragic, or even that of a maniac; the main thing is that the material is of a high standard.
In 2005, Valeriy Yaremenko appeared in Inara Kolmane's film "Mona." He worked in the Latvian language for this film! They recorded his lines on a dictaphone in Latvian, and he memorized them. It is said that he spoke almost without an accent. Alongside "Mona," the actor also appeared in Svetlana Druzhinina's monumental work "The Secrets of Palace Revolutions" in the film "Vivat, Anna Ioanovna!" There, Valeriy played the role of a German officer. This time, he had to learn a few phrases in German.
Valeriy Yaremenko then participated in the filming of the intriguing melodrama "Love Contract" directed by Ilya Khotinenko. He joined the project thanks to his friend Marat Basharov, who played the lead role in the film. Yaremenko himself also received a significant role - that of a director.
His most unexpected role, according to himself, was in the film "Sava Morozov" dedicated to the patron Savva Morozov. He played... Stanislavsky! Although there may not seem to be anything in common in their appearance, the director could still see it - Valeriy and Konstantin Sergeyevich were one and the same. And he was not mistaken! After watching the film, everything becomes clear... Additionally, Valeriy Yaremenko has worked extensively in television: appearing in "Yeralash," voicing animated films, and playing the role of a TV host. Of course, one cannot say that the actor dreamed of television entertainment his whole life, but the life of an actor, unfortunately, requires constantly seeking opportunities to earn money. Initially, that's how the actor viewed it.
Valeriy Yaremenko stumbled into television by chance. Acquaintances invited him to participate in a TV game show where theater collectives competed. This is how the RTR program "Who Dares Wins" was born. And then, he got hooked. At least, on-screen, Yaremenko always appeared inspired, feeling comfortable, and television itself changed the actor's life. Firstly, people started approaching him on the street asking to borrow money. The common belief is that if a person appears on TV twice a week, they must be rich. Secondly, he decided for himself: this is a very interesting experience. Valeriy Yaremenko is a firework! Not only in his profession but also in everyday life. He is like a living celebration, exuding exclusively warming energy. With all his serious looks and strict principles, he always expresses himself through jokes and anecdotes. He pleasantly surprises with his sincerity, naivety, and generosity in all its manifestations, playing with his intellect.
Valeriy Yaremenko's favorite character is Quasimodo. His favorite films include "Rocco and His Brothers" and films by Charlie Chaplin. His favorite book is "Evenings on a Farm Near Dikanka." His favorite city is Moscow. His favorite composer is Mozart. Besides Russia and Ukraine, his favorite country is Paris, which for Yaremenko is a whole country. His favorite time of day is any that is associated with inspiration. And his favorite season is autumn, regardless of whether it is golden or rainy.
Valeriy Yaremenko dreams not of eternal summer or universal happiness but simply of complete harmony for himself, his loved ones, and all deserving people. He dreams of spending time in nature and wants to join the ranks of travelers, starting with Spain and Japan.
