Mikhail Kozakov entered the Moscow Art Theatre School in 1952, marking the beginning of a prolific career as a stage actor, film performer, and director. Spanning the Soviet, Russian, and Israeli cultural landscapes, his professional life saw him transition from the classical theatre of the mid-20th century to helming his own independent theatrical enterprise in Moscow.
Early Career and Theatre Work
After graduating in 1956, Kozakov appeared in Mikhail Romm’s film Murder on Dante Street and joined the Mayakovsky Theatre. His stage performances included roles in Cyrano de Bergerac, The Naked King, and Ordinary History, the latter earning him a USSR State Prize. He moved to the Moscow Art Theatre following Oleg Efremov and later performed at the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya, where he directed The Pokrovsky Gate and O'Neill’s The Soul of the Poet.
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Kozakov shifted into film direction in 1978 with the television production Nameless Star. His directorial filmography expanded in the 1980s to include The Pokrovsky Gate, If We Believe Lopotukhin..., Trustees, and Masquerade. During the perestroika era, he relocated to Israel, where he worked at the Cameri Theater in Tel Aviv and learned Hebrew. He eventually returned to Russia to establish the Russian Entreprise Mikhail Kozakov.
Final Years and Legacy
In his later years, Kozakov remained active at the Mossovet Theatre, appearing as Shylock in The Venetian Merchant and in the title role of King Lear. He also collaborated with saxophonist Igor Butman on a 1999 poetry performance. Following a diagnosis of lung cancer in 2010, he traveled to Israel for treatment. He died in 2011 near Tel Aviv and was interred at the Vvedenskoye Cemetery in Moscow.
Fast facts
- Born: 1934, Saint Petersburg
- Died: 2011, Ramat Gan
- Education: Moscow Art Theatre School, 1952-1956
- Awards: People's Artist of the RSFSR, Order of Honour
- Citizenship: Russia, Israel, Soviet Union
- Burial Place: Vvedenskoye Cemetery, Moscow
Questions readers ask
What were Mikhail Kozakov's primary occupations?
He was a multifaceted artist who worked as an actor, stage actor, screenwriter, and film and theatre director.
Where is Mikhail Kozakov buried?
He is buried at the Vvedenskoye Cemetery in Moscow.
Achievements
- Order of Honour
- Worked as actor, theatre director and film director