During the filming of 1959's Letter Never Sent, Vasily Livanov shouted lines in the freezing taiga to capture authentic environmental sound. The resulting strain on his vocal cords produced a distinctive, gravelly timbre that became his professional signature. Born in Moscow in 1935, Livanov built a career spanning live-action performance, animation direction, and screenwriting.
Early Career and Education
Livanov graduated from the Moscow Secondary Art School in 1954 before completing acting courses at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute in 1958. His family background was steeped in the arts; his father, Boris Livanov, was a prominent actor at the Moscow Art Theatre. In 1966, he furthered his technical credentials by finishing High Directors Courses under Mikhail Romm.
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Between 1966 and 1973, Livanov worked at the animation studio Soyuzmultfilm. He contributed as an animation director, screenwriter, and voice actor. His creative output included directing The Blue Bird and writing the screenplay for the popular musical The Bremen Town Musicians. He provided the voice for iconic Soviet animated characters such as Gena the Crocodile, the title character in Karlsson-on-the-Roof, and the Boa in 38 Parrots.
The Sherlock Holmes Series
Livanov achieved his greatest professional visibility portraying Sherlock Holmes in a series of television films directed by Igor Maslennikov. Filmed between 1979 and 1986, these productions included The Hound of the Baskervilles. The portrayal was widely recognized, and in 2007, a sculpture depicting Livanov as Holmes and Vitaly Solomin as Doctor Watson was unveiled in Moscow near the United Kingdom Embassy.
Honors and Recognition
His contributions to cinema have been acknowledged with several state and international honors. He was named Honored Artist of the RSFSR in 1981 and People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1988. In 2006, he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Order of the British Empire. Later recognitions include the Order For Merit to the Fatherland, 4th class, in 2005, and a Special Golden Eagle Award in 2017.
Fast facts
- Born: 1935, Moscow
- Educated: Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute
- Famous role: Sherlock Holmes
- Voice role: Gena the Crocodile
- People's Artist of the RSFSR: 1988
- Member of the Order of the British Empire: 2006
- Order of Honour: 2016
Questions readers ask
How did Vasily Livanov develop his unique voice?
He lost his natural voice while filming the 1959 movie Letter Never Sent after shouting lines in the woods at extreme temperatures; it returned two weeks later with a hoarse, unique quality.
What animation studio did Livanov work for?
He was employed at Soyuzmultfilm from 1966 to 1973 as an animation director, screenwriter, and voice actor.
Achievements
- Order of Honour — 2016
- Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow 2nd class
- Worked as actor, screenwriter and writer
