# Mikhail Ulyanov

> Soviet and Russian actor, theatre and film director (1927-2007)

**Wikidata**: [Q376335](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q376335)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Ulyanov_(actor))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mikhail-ulyanov

## Summary
Mikhail Ulyanov was a distinguished Soviet and Russian actor, theatre director, and film director who lived from 1927 to 2007. He is celebrated as a public figure and drama teacher who received the highest Soviet honors, including the title of Hero of Socialist Labour and People's Artist of the USSR. His career spanned over five decades, during which he worked with prestigious institutions like the Vakhtangov Theatre and the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute.

## Biography
- **Born:** November 20, 1927
- **Nationality:** Russian Federation, Soviet Union
- **Education:** Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute
- **Known for:** Acting in dramatic and comic productions across film, television, and theatre; directing theatre and film; and serving as a drama teacher.
- **Employer(s):** Vakhtangov Theatre, Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, Association of Filmmakers of the USSR
- **Field(s):** Acting, Theatre Direction, Film Direction, Drama Education, Politics

## Contributions
Mikhail Ulyanov's primary contributions lie in his extensive body of work as a performer and director within the Soviet and Russian cultural landscape.
- **Theatrical Leadership:** He served as a key figure at the Vakhtangov Theatre, overseeing the mounting of productions and contributing to the institution's legacy since its inception in 1921.
- **Educational Impact:** As a drama teacher, he educated future generations of actors at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, teaching aspects of theatre history, acting, and directing.
- **Cultural Advocacy:** He was a member of the Association of Filmmakers of the USSR, contributing to the organization's mission since its founding in 1957.
- **Political Engagement:** He held a role within the political sphere, aligning with the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, reflecting his status as a public figure and politician.
- **Artistic Direction:** He controlled the artistic and dramatic aspects of film productions and directed theatrical performances, bridging the gap between stage and screen.

## FAQs
**What were the primary roles Mikhail Ulyanov held in his career?**
Ulyanov was a multifaceted artist who worked as an actor in film, television, and theatre, while also serving as a theatre and film director. Additionally, he worked as a drama teacher and held positions as a politician and public figure.

**Which institutions was Mikhail Ulyanov affiliated with during his lifetime?**
He was educated at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute and maintained a long-standing affiliation with the Vakhtangov Theatre. He was also a member of the Association of Filmmakers of the USSR and connected to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

**What major honors and awards did Mikhail Ulyanov receive?**
He was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labour and People's Artist of the USSR, representing the highest state honors. His recognition also included the USSR State Prize, the Order of Lenin, the Order of the October Revolution, the Lenin Prize, and the Golden Mask award.

**When did Mikhail Ulyanov's professional career begin and end?**
His work period officially started in 1950 and concluded with his death in 2007. He remained active in the arts and public life for over 50 years.

## Why They Matter
Mikhail Ulyanov matters because he embodied the pinnacle of Soviet and Russian performing arts, influencing the cultural identity of the nation through his roles as an actor and director. His receipt of the title "Hero of Socialist Labour" and "People's Artist of the USSR" signifies his status as a state-sanctioned cultural icon whose work defined an era of theatre and cinema. Without his contributions to the Vakhtangov Theatre and his teaching at the Boris Shchukin Institute, the lineage of Russian dramatic arts would lack a significant pillar of its 20th-century history. His dual role as a political figure and artist highlights the intersection of culture and state power in the Soviet Union, making him a critical case study in the history of Russian public life.

## Notable For
- Being a Soviet and Russian actor, theatre director, and film director active from 1950 to 2007.
- Receiving the title of Hero of Socialist Labour, the highest honor of the Soviet Union.
- Being awarded the title of People's Artist of the USSR and Merited Artist of the RSFSR.
- Winning the USSR State Prize and the Lenin Prize for his artistic achievements.
- Serving as a drama teacher at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute.
- Directing and acting at the Vakhtangov Theatre, a major Moscow institution.
- Being a member of the Association of Filmmakers of the USSR.
- Receiving the Golden Mask award and the Crystal Turandot for theatre excellence.
- Holding the Order of Lenin and the Order of the October Revolution.
- Being recognized as a public figure and politician within the Soviet and Russian systems.
- Receiving the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Gratitude.
- Being honored with the Zasłużony Działacz Kultury (Polish honorary badge in arts).
- Receiving the Nika Award, a prestigious Russian film award.
- Winning the Stanislavsky State Prize of the RSFSR.
- Having a work period spanning from 1950 to 2007.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Mikhail Ulyanov was born on November 20, 1927. He pursued his formal education at the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute, a renowned drama school in Moscow, Russia, which was established in 1914. This institution served as the foundational training ground for his future career in the performing arts.

### Professional Career and Affiliations
Ulyanov's professional life began in 1950 and continued until his death in 2007. He was primarily known for his work as an actor in dramatic and comic productions across film, television, theatre, and radio. In addition to acting, he served as a theatrical director, overseeing the mounting of theatre productions, and as a film director, controlling the artistic and dramatic aspects of film productions. He was also a drama teacher, educating students in theatre history, acting, and directing.

His career was closely tied to major cultural institutions. He was affiliated with the Vakhtangov Theatre, a prominent theatre in Moscow founded in 1921. He was also a member of the Association of Filmmakers of the USSR, an organization established in 1957. His political involvement included connections to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, the executive leadership of the party established in 1918.

### Awards and Recognition
Ulyanov received numerous prestigious awards throughout his life, reflecting his high status in Soviet and Russian society.
- **State Honors:** He was awarded the title of Hero of Socialist Labour (1938–1991) and People's Artist of the USSR (1936). He also received the Merited Artist of the RSFSR and People's Artist of the RSFSR titles.
- **Orders and Medals:** His decorations included the Order of Lenin (the highest decoration awarded by the Soviet Union), the Order of the October Revolution, and the USSR State Prize.
- **Specialized Awards:** In the realm of theatre and film, he received the Lenin Prize, the Stanislavsky State Prize of the RSFSR, the Crystal Turandot, the Golden Mask (a Russian theatre festival and award), and the Nika Award (a Russian film award).
- **International and Modern Recognition:** He was honored with the Zasłużony Działacz Kultury, a Polish honorary badge in arts, and the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Gratitude.

### Political and Public Life
Beyond the arts, Ulyanov was a politician and a public figure. He held or sought positions in government and was often written about in newspapers, magazines, and on television and radio. His citizenship included both the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation. He was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, indicating his significant role in the political structure of the time.

### Legacy and Identity
Mikhail Ulyanov is remembered as a human being who made a profound impact on the cultural and political landscape of the 20th century. His aliases include Mikhail Aleksandrovich Ulyanov and Mikhail Alexandrovich Ulyanov. He maintained a website at http://www.ulianov.ru/. His life and work are documented in various databases, including Wikidata, IMDb, and the Great Russian Encyclopedia. He passed away on March 26, 2007, leaving behind a legacy as a master of the stage and screen.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. MusicBrainz
4. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
5. Find a Grave
6. filmportal.de
7. [Source](http://www.kommersant.com/p-10393/actor_died)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. The Movie Database