The People’s Artist of the USSR Vasily Lanovoy celebrates his 80th jubilee on January 16, the press service of the Vakhtangov Theater reports.

      The future legendary actor was born in Moscow in 1934. Vasiliy Lanovoy has been engaged in theatrical activity from his childhood - as a schoolboy he played in a drama school at the ZIL Cultural Centre. The theatre career of the outstanding cultural figure was started with his leading role in the play School-Leaving Certificate. This role gained him the first award.

      After finishing school Vasily Lanovoy entered the Schukin Theatre School. As soon as 1957 the actor became a member of the Vakhtangov Theatre troupe.

      The favourite actor of several generations of viewers gained popularity thanks to his roles in the famous movies, such as Anna Karenina, The Scarlet Sails, War and Peace, The Officers, Seventeen Moments of Spring. Altogether the filmography of the master of Russian culture totals over 40 works.

      Nowadays Vasily Lanovoy goes on playing on stage of the Vakhtangov Theatre. He performs parts in The Pier, Dedication to Eve and The Last Moon. Besides, the outstanding theater and film actor has been teaching in the Schukin Theatre School since 1985 and is the head of the Scenic Speech Department.

      The legendary actor will celebrate his birthday on stage - today the hero of the anniversary will play in Dedication to Eve at the Vakhtangov Theatre.