Yuriy Solomin

Yuri Solomin is an acclaimed Russian stage and film actor and director, internationally best known for his work with director Akira Kurosawa in the leading role as Arseniev in Russian-Japanese film Dersu Uzala (1975). He was born Yuri Mefodievich Solomin on June 18, 1935, in Chita, Siberian Russia, Soviet Union. His father, Mefodi Viktorovich, was a cellist and violinist, his mother, Zinaida Ananievna, was a mezzo-soprano; both parents taught classical music at the House of Pioneers in Chita. In 1953, after graduating from Chita high school, young Yuri Solomin moved to Moscow. There he attended Shchepkin Theatrical School, studied acting under Vera Pashennaya, graduating in 1957 as an actor. That same year he became permanent member of the troupe at the Academic Maly Theatre in Moscow. Since 1988, Solomin has been Artistic Director of the Maly Theatre. He also was Russian Minister of Culture from 1990 to 1992. Yuri Solomin played over 50 roles in films and on television, and also played about 60 roles in stage productions. He was elected president of Association of Russian Theatres, was designated People's Actor of the USSR, and received numerous awards and decorations from both the Soviet and Russian governments. He is living in Moscow, Russia.