# Oleg Yankovsky

> Soviet and Russian actor (1944-2009)

**Wikidata**: [Q314067](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314067)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleg_Yankovsky)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/oleg-yankovsky

## Summary

Oleg Yankovsky was a celebrated Soviet and Russian actor who became one of the most prominent film actors of his generation. Born in 1944 and active from 1965 until his death in 2009, he appeared in numerous acclaimed films and was recognized with the honorary title of People's Artist of the USSR. His career spanned the late Soviet and post-Soviet periods, and he received multiple prestigious awards including the USSR State Prize, the Lenin Komsomol Prize, and the Nika Award.

## Biography

- **Born:** 1944 (specific date and place not provided in source material)
- **Nationality:** Soviet Union (1922–1991), Russia (from 1991)
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Acting in Soviet and Russian cinema, appearing in dramatic and comic productions across film, television, theatre, and radio
- **Employer(s):** Not specifically listed in source material
- **Field(s):** Acting, Film

## Contributions

Oleg Yankovsky built a distinguished career as a film actor spanning over four decades from 1965 to 2009. As a prominent figure in Soviet and Russian cinema, he appeared in numerous dramatic and comic productions, working across multiple mediums including film, television, theatre, and radio. His work contributed significantly to Soviet and Russian cultural output during the late Soviet era and the post-Soviet transition period. The specific titles of his notable films, exact dates of productions, and detailed career milestones are not fully enumerated in the provided source material, but his extensive filmography and sustained recognition through numerous awards indicate substantial contributions to the performing arts.

## FAQs

**What was Oleg Yankovsky's primary profession?**
Oleg Yankovsky was a Soviet and Russian actor, specifically identified as a film actor who appeared in films, television, theatre, and radio productions.

**What awards did Oleg Yankovsky receive?**
Oleg Yankovsky received numerous prestigious awards including the USSR State Prize, People's Artist of the USSR, Lenin Komsomol Prize, Vasilyev Brothers State Prize of the RSFSR, People's Artist of the RSFSR, Merited Artist of the RSFSR, State Prize of the Russian Federation, Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Gratitude, Nika Award, Golden Eagle Awards, TEFI, Stanislavsky Award, and the Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow."

**When did Oleg Yankovsky work?**
Oleg Yankovsky's work period spanned from 1965 to 2009, covering the final decades of the Soviet Union and the early post-Soviet period in Russia.

**What was Oleg Yankovsky's nationality?**
Oleg Yankovsky held Soviet nationality during the existence of the Soviet Union (1922–1991) and Russian nationality following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

**What titles and honors did Oleg Yankovsky hold?**
He held the honorary titles of People's Artist of the USSR, People's Artist of the RSFSR, and Merited Artist of the RSFSR, which were prestigious Soviet state awards recognizing exceptional achievement in the arts.

## Why They Matter

Oleg Yankovsky mattered as one of the defining actors of Soviet and Russian cinema, representing the cultural bridge between the late Soviet era and contemporary Russian society. His career, spanning 44 years from 1965 to 2009, coincided with significant historical transitions, and his performances contributed to the cultural identity of multiple generations of Soviet and Russian audiences. The numerous state honors he received—including the highest artistic recognition in the USSR (People's Artist of the USSR)—demonstrate the institutional value placed on his contributions to the performing arts. His work helped shape Soviet and Russian cinematic traditions, and his continued recognition in the post-Soviet era through awards like the Nika Award, Golden Eagle Awards, and TEFI indicates his lasting influence on Russian performing arts. Without his contributions, Soviet and Russian cinema would lack significant artistic voices from a pivotal historical period.

## Notable For

- Held the title of People's Artist of the USSR, the highest honorary title for artists in the Soviet Union
- Received the USSR State Prize, one of the most prestigious state honors in the Soviet Union
- Awarded the Lenin Komsomol Prize for contributions to Soviet youth organizations and culture
- Received the Vasilyev Brothers State Prize of the RSFSR for achievements in Soviet cinema
- Honored with the Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow" for contributions to Russian culture
- Received post-Soviet recognition including the State Prize of the Russian Federation
- Awarded the Nika Award, one of Russia's most prestigious film awards
- Received Golden Eagle Awards recognizing excellence in Russian film and television
- Honored with TEFI, Russia's major annual television award
- Awarded the Stanislavsky Award for contributions to Russian cinema
- Received the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Gratitude
- Maintained a 44-year acting career from 1965 to 2009

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Oleg Yankovsky was born in 1944, though the specific date and place of birth are not detailed in the provided source material. As a human member of Homo sapiens, he belonged to the unique extant species of the genus Homo. His life trajectory led him to become one of the most recognized actors in Soviet and Russian cinema, ultimately achieving the highest artistic honors the Soviet Union could bestow.

### Career Overview

Oleg Yankovsky began his professional acting career in 1965 and continued working until his death in 2009, giving him a remarkable 44-year career in the performing arts. His work encompassed multiple facets of the acting profession, including film, television, theatre, and radio productions. As a film actor specifically, he appeared in numerous productions that contributed to the rich tapestry of Soviet and Russian cinema. His career spanned the twilight of the Soviet era through the dissolution of the USSR in 1991 and into the new Russian Federation, allowing him to serve as a cultural bridge between two distinct historical periods.

### Recognition and Awards

The extensive list of awards and honors bestowed upon Oleg Yankovsky demonstrates the high regard in which he was held by both Soviet and Russian cultural institutions. His achievements were recognized at multiple levels of government and professional organizations.

Among his most significant honors was the title of People's Artist of the USSR, awarded through a process established in 1936. This honorary title represented the highest recognition for performing artists in the Soviet Union and signified exceptional achievement in drama, cinema, music, and other artistic fields. He also received the equivalent regional title of People's Artist of the RSFSR, which recognized his contributions at the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic level.

In addition to these prestigious titles, Yankovsky received the Merited Artist of the RSFSR honor, another distinguished recognition of artistic achievement within the Russian Soviet republic. The USSR State Prize, which was established in 1966, represented another pinnacle of recognition, being the Soviet Union's premier state honor for outstanding achievements in science, technology, literature, and art.

His recognition extended to awards targeting younger audiences and contemporary works, including the Lenin Komsomol Prize (established 1966), which honored contributions to Soviet youth culture and the Komsomol organization. The Vasilyev Brothers State Prize of the RSFSR, established in 1965, specifically recognized achievements in Soviet cinema.

In the post-Soviet era, Yankovsky continued to receive recognition for his ongoing contributions to Russian culture. The State Prize of the Russian Federation, established in 1992, honored achievements in science, technology, literature, and art in the new Russia. He also received the Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Gratitude, demonstrating continued recognition from the highest levels of Russian government.

### Professional Associations and Categories

Oleg Yankovsky's professional identity can be understood through his connections to various institutional categories. As an actor, he belonged to the broader category of individuals who work in dramatic or comic productions across multiple media. His specialization as a film actor placed him within the subset of performers who work specifically in cinema. The source material also links him to the category of film director, though specific details about any directorial work are not provided.

His work was geographically centered in the Soviet Union and subsequently the Russian Federation. The Soviet Union existed as a country in Eurasia from 1922 to 1991, and following its dissolution, Russia emerged as a successor state with its own identity as a country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. The historical context of his career—from the mid-1960s through 2009—spanned these major geopolitical transitions.

### Legacy Indicators

The significance of Oleg Yankovsky's career is reflected in multiple legacy indicators present in the source material. His Wikipedia presence (sitelink_count: 43) indicates substantial documentation in the global knowledge base. The numerous awards spanning different eras—from Soviet honors like the Lenin Komsomol Prize and USSR State Prize to post-Soviet recognition like the Nika Award and Golden Eagle Awards—demonstrate sustained excellence across different political and cultural periods. His work period from 1965 to 2009 represents a substantial portion of the second half of the 20th century and the early 21st century, allowing his performances to reach multiple generations of Soviet and Russian audiences.

## References

1. Source
2. Integrated Authority File
3. BnF authorities
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. Krugosvet
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. Golden