More than 200 film roles define the career of Lev Durov, a versatile performer who transitioned between stage and screen with remarkable consistency for over five decades. Born in Moscow in 1931, he emerged as a fixture of the Soviet and Russian artistic landscape, working extensively with director Anatoly Efros while maintaining a prolific output in motion pictures.
Theatrical Foundations
Durov's formal training took place at the Moscow Art Theatre School, where he studied under instructors Sergey Gerasimov and Sergey Blinnikov. Following his graduation, he joined the troupe led by Anatoly Efros in 1954. For three decades, he acted and directed at the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre, eventually serving as its principal director from 2003 until 2006. His lineage connected him to a history of Russian performance, as he was a relative of memoirist Nadezhda Durova and animal trainer Anatoly Durov.
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His filmography began in 1955 and continued until 2008, spanning a wide array of genres. Notable appearances include roles in Nine Days in One Year, Seventeen Moments of Spring, and A Man from the Boulevard des Capuchines. Beyond live-action performances, he contributed his voice to popular animated works, most notably as the dog Sharik in the Three from Prostokvashino series. In addition to his acting duties, he worked as a screenwriter and shared his experiences in two published volumes of memoirs released in 1999 and 2008.
Honors and Legacy
Throughout his life, Durov received numerous state honors for his contributions to the arts. He was named Honored Artist of the RSFSR in 1974, People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1982, and reached the rank of People's Artist of the USSR in 1990. Other decorations included the Order of Friendship in 1996 and the Order For Merit to the Fatherland in both 4th and 3rd classes. Following his death in 2015, he was interred at the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.
Fast facts
- Born: 1931, Moscow
- Died: 2015, Moscow
- Education: Moscow Art Theatre School
- Primary Employer: Lenkom Theatre
- Title: People's Artist of the USSR (1990)
- Memoirs Published: 1999, 2008
- Burial Site: Novodevichy Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Lev Durov's most famous voice role?
He is best remembered for providing the voice of Sharik the dog in the animated series Three from Prostokvashino.
Was Lev Durov involved in theatrical directing?
Yes, he worked as a director at the Malaya Bronnaya Theatre for 30 years and served as the theatre's principal director from 2003 to 2006.
Achievements
- Order of Friendship — 1996
- Worked as stage actor, film actor and actor
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