How did Mikhail Derzhavin manage to never quarrel with anyone in his entire life?

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Mikhail Derzhavin did not have very many roles in cinema, only about 60 over his entire 65-year creative activity. But the whole country recognized him as the host of the "Zucchini" 13 Chairs "and a member of an incredible duet with Alexander Shirvindt. Hereditary theater actor more than half a century served in the Theater of Satire, and before that there were "Lenkom" and the Theater on Malaya Bronnaya. Those who were lucky enough to know Mikhail Mikhailovich personally did not get tired of being surprised at the human qualities of the great artist.

Little head of the family

Mikhail Derzhavin was born in 1936. In the family, in addition to the elder Mikhail, two more girls were growing up, Anya and Tanya, who were born in September 1941, on the way to evacuation. Anya was a little older, she was desperately jealous of her younger sister and even threatened to "throw your girl out the window." And five-year-old Misha was on duty at the crib so that Anya would not actually do anything with the baby. He himself was on duty, on his own initiative, no one asked him about it.

After returning from evacuation, the family settled in a tiny apartment on the Arbat, where their nanny Katya lived with them. Mikhail Derzhavin was only 15 when his father passed away. Mom Iraida Ivanovna was left alone with three minor children in her arms. She was always behind her husband, like behind a stone wall, and here she had to decide how to independently feed and raise children. Iraida Ivanovna, together with the other wives of the actors, began to paint kerchiefs in the WTO workshops.

Mikhail soon came to the aid of his mother, who realized his responsibility early. Mikhail realized that now his mother can only count on his support, and in fact became the head of the family. It was at that time that he began filming at night in extras at "Mosfilm" in order to bring into the house, albeit small, but still money. And in the afternoon, the teenager went to the recording studio, where he dubbed foreign films. True, instead of a regular high school, he began to study in the evenings at a school for working youth.

After leaving school, Mikhail Derzhavin entered the Shchukin School, and already in his second year played his first major film role in Yuri Yegorov's film They Were the First. In his student years, the unsurpassed duet of Mikhail Derzhavin and Alexander Shirvindt was formed, which existed for 60 years. Together they organized skits, and Mikhail Derzhavin quickly distributed responsibilities in their tandem, rewarding Alexander Shirvindt with the position of artistic director, and assigning himself the role of party organizer.

Impossible not to love

Mikhail Mikhailovich has always remained very delicate. Already known throughout the country, he was embarrassed to go to the Novoarbatsky grocery store for grocery orders. The famous actor was greeted everywhere with a smile, they were interested in how they could help him, but he was embarrassed and refused help. But he always tried to lend his shoulder to everyone and was a completely non-conflict person.

In any controversial situation, he preferred to step aside, rather than arrange a showdown. Friends and acquaintances of Mikhail Derzhavin believed that it was simply impossible to quarrel with him. He did not know how to shout and, in general, was a very balanced person, and the most terrible curse from his lips was: "Come on, take him to the swamp!"

The actor's only daughter, Maria Budyonnaya, recalled how once, when she was in third grade, her dad did homework with her, but she still could not write her homework beautifully. And Mikhail Mikhailovich could not resist: he grabbed the notebook and threw it on the table. The daughter at that moment thought that a scandal would break out now. And dad suddenly offered to go together to an ice cream parlor on Gorky Street.

Alexander Shirvindt is a more emotional person, but even he never managed to quarrel with a colleague and friend. As soon as Alexander Anatolyevich began to get excited and speak in a raised voice, Mikhail Mikhailovich simply disappeared from the "battlefield". And then he said: "Why quarrel if you still have to put up?"

Indicative in this respect is the situation in the Theater of Satire on the eve of the premiere of the play "Farewell, master of ceremonies!" It was staged by Andrei Mironov, and Mikhail Derzhavin played Nikolai Burkini. The actor literally lived this role, came up with some of his own moves, thought only about the performance. But on the eve of the premiere, Andrei Mironov called him and announced that he himself would play the main role in memory of his father. Derzhavin agreed, but was very upset. Due to nervousness, he almost lost his voice, his blood pressure rose and his heart began to ache. But he found excuses for Andrei Mironov, with whom, by the way, he had been friends for many years.

Then the main director Valentin Pluchek intervened in the matter. He announced that Mikhail Derzhavin will appear on the stage at the premiere, and his decision is not subject to revision. Mikhail Derzhavin played literally to the limit of his capabilities and never said a single bad word to a friend who tried to deprive him of such an important role. He continued to justify Andrei Mironov. Even deny people Mikhail Derzhavin knew how so that no one even understood the fact that he was told “no” a second ago. Roxana Babayan, the actor's third wife and the love of his life, said: "Being non-conflict is also work." And she considered her husband's main weapon to be his sarcastically subtle mind.

All three of the actor's wives knew each other and even maintained friendly relations. However, this is understandable, because Mikhail Derzhavin did not offend his first wives, Ekaterina Raikina and Nina Budyonnaya. They themselves left him when they met, each in its own time, a new love. He did not arrange scenes of jealousy, did not read lectures, did not try to hold back by all means, but simply wished for happiness and let go.

Perhaps it was this non-conflict and the ability to experience everything in oneself that led, as a result, to the protracted illness of Mikhail Mikhailovich. All his life he was a guardian angel for his family, relatives and friends. This is probably why the incredible emptiness in the hearts of those people loved by Mikhail Derzhavin does not go away. And who loved him.

This charismatic, imposing actor has been the idol of women of all ages for many years. Mikhail Derzhavin was looking for his happiness for a long time. Three women, like three stars, were in his life. His morning star is Katenka, the daughter of the famous Arkady Raikin, the day star is Nina, the daughter of the legendary Semyon Budyonny. And his guiding star was Roxana Babayan, who led him through life for over 30 years.