Valentin Gaft

Valentin Yosifovich Gaft was born on September 2, 1935, to Ukrainian parents who had recently moved to Moscow. He began his studies at the Moscow Theater School in 1953, at the young age of 18, and made his cinematic debut just three years later in Mikhail Romm's film “Murder on Dante Street.” Over the course of a remarkable career spanning more than fifty years, Gaft has been affiliated with prestigious theater companies, notably the Mossovet and Leninsky Komsomol theaters, as well as the Sovremennik Theater, which he joined in 1969 and continues to be part of to this day. In recognition of his significant contributions to the arts, he was honored with the title of People’s Artist of the Soviet Union in 1984. In addition to his acting career, Gaft is known for his sharp wit and has penned a series of incisive epigrams that critique various figures within the Russian film and theater sectors. His work and talent have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Russian performing arts.