Vitaly Solomin - Soviet and Russian actor, one of the most significant figures in Russian theater and cinema. Most viewers associate him with the role of Doctor Watson in the film adaptation of “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.” Also in his biography are such famous paintings as “Winter Cherry”, “Silva”, “The Bat” and many others. For great achievements in the field of art, Solomin was awarded the title National artist RSFSR, and was also a member of the Union of Theater Workers and the Union of Cinematographers of Russia.

Vitaly was born in Chita, and both of his parents were directly related to creativity. Mother Zinaida Ananyevna and father Methodius Viktorovich were music teachers who not only instilled in their son a love for this art form, but also taught him to play the piano. However, Vitaly was not very keen on hours of lessons at the black and white keys, since as a child he liked to participate in various sports sections. He devoted especially much time to boxing.

In 1959, following his older brother, Vitaly left for Moscow to study at the Shchepkin Higher Theater School. He took the course of Nikolai Annenkov, and his classmates were future stars of Russian cinema and. It is curious that the world might not recognize such an artist, because being a maximalist, he almost left the university after his first year. The thing is that Solomin, who was accustomed to studying only with “excellent” marks, received only “good” in one of the exams of the next session, and his first impulse was to quit classes.

Theater

Already in his 2nd year, the young actor made his debut on the professional stage of the Maly Theater in the play “Your Uncle Misha.” After graduating from college, Vitaly Solomin becomes a full member of this troupe. In the theater, he mainly played the bright heroes of Russian classics - Chatsky, Astrov, Khlestakov, Protasov. In the 70s, Solomin began to try his hand at directing. His productions of “The Living Corpse” based on the play and “My Favorite Clown” based on the story by Vasily Livanov were highly appreciated.

In addition to the Maly Theater, Vitaly Methodievich collaborated with the Mossovet Theater for about two years. The actor is also well known as an excellent literary reader. Detective novels from the series “The Adventures of Father Brown” and the famous monument are still very popular ancient Russian literature“The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” performed by Vitaly Solomin.

Movies

The first film work in Vitaly Solomin’s career was the role of the young philologist Boyartsev in the student drama “Newton Street, Building 1.” He had few scenes, but the experience turned out to be useful, and soon he played Zhenya, the son main character in the melodrama "Women". This role gave him his first popularity.

But the actor’s role as the right hand of the famous deduction specialist in the serial film “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson” brought all-Union fame to the actor. The legendary actor became Solomin's partner. The first film, consisting of 2 parts, was released in 1979. Then director Igor Maslennikov shot 4 more films, consisting of several episodes. In total, Livanov and Solomin recreated 12 works on screen.

The Soviet film adaptation received recognition not only from domestic audiences, but throughout the world, and in the homeland of Sherlock Holmes, the duo of actors was officially recognized as the best of all who tried to reproduce the images of the famous detectives in cinema. As recognition, the British government initiated the installation of a monument to Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson on Smolenskaya Embankment in Moscow, opposite the British Embassy. Moreover, in the appearance of the characters in the monument one can unmistakably recognize the figures and faces of Vitaly Solomin and Vasily Livanov.

Another cult film with the participation of Vitaly Methodievich is the melodrama “Winter Cherry”. The actor in this film has an ambiguous, diverse and interesting role as the married egoist-lover Vadim Dashkov. But Solomin managed to bring a piece of himself into this image and made Dashkov also a charming person. The popularity of the film, especially among the female half of the audience, led to the fact that two sequels of this film were filmed at intervals of 5 years. dramatic story.

The actor’s popularity was also enhanced by his comedic roles in the film adaptation of the classic operettas “Silva” and “Die Fledermaus” directed by Jan Fried. In these films, the actor’s comic talent is fully revealed, bringing lightness and humor to the overall dramatic plot line.

Personal life

Vitaly Solomin was married twice. His first wife was actress Natalya Rudnaya. They met in 1962 at one of the student performances, and a year later they became husband and wife. However, this marriage did not last long, and after the divorce, Vitaly promised himself not to walk down the aisle again. Rudnaya and Solomin’s paths never crossed again, and they never saw each other.

A few years later, the actor auditioned for the film “City Romance.” There, the director’s assistant invited a student from the textile institute, whom she saw on the street and offered to try herself in cinema. Solomin was not included in the cast of the film, but he noticed the girl, proposed to her, and in 1970 they got married.

In this marriage two daughters were born - Anastasia and Elizaveta. The youngest daughter followed in her parents' footsteps and also became an actress. Vitaly Solomin was known for his love of parties and holidays. For example, one day, to cheer up all his friends, he organized a New Year's Eve meeting in the middle of spring.

Death

Actor for a long time suffered from hypertension, and this disease made itself felt on April 24, 2002, when Vitaly Solomin was on the stage of the Maly Theater, playing a role in the play “Krechinsky’s Wedding.” He felt a bad state earlier that day, but still decided to go on stage. Vitaly Methodievich played the first act, after which he had to be carried out of there in his arms. In the hospital, he was diagnosed with a stroke, and doctors fought for the life of the great actor for more than a month, although Solomin was in a coma for most of this time.

Vitaly Methodievich repeatedly said that he would like to repeat the path and, implying that they died on stage. We can assume that the great actor’s wish came true, since he was devoted to the theater until the last minute of his life. On May 27, 2002, Vitaly Solomin died and was buried at Vagankovsky cemetery in Moscow.

Filmography

• 1966 - Women
• 1971 - Dauria
• 1978 - Sibiriada
• 1979-1986 - Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson
• 1979 - The Bat
• 1981 - Silva
• 1985 - Winter Cherry
• 1992 - Black Square
• 2000 - Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
• 2002 - Casus Belli

A favorite of the public, a talented actor, reverent and gallant on the screen... Why was the charming Watson called the Stone Flower?

Vitaly Solomin’s most famous works were his roles in the films “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson”, “Winter Cherry”, “Die Fledermaus”, “Silva”, etc. Charming, enthusiastic and good-natured on the screen, in life he was completely different. His friends and family say that behind the scenes he was often sullen, withdrawn, uncompromising and cruel. True, as shy as in many of his films.

Yuri and Vitaly Solomin

They say that due to his difficult character, Vitaly Solomin even had a conflict with his brother, the no less famous actor Yuri Solomin. In all interviews, Yuri refused to talk about his brother. Their families do not communicate with each other. Viewers constantly compared the brothers, although there was never any reason for envy or competition between them - both were equally talented, successful and popular.

Vitaly Solomin in the film *The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson*

Andrei Konchalovsky says that Vitaly Solomin was an introvert and had difficulty communicating. For this he received the nickname Stone Flower from him. When Dr. Watson needed to kiss the heroine according to the script, the process stalled - Solomin could not overcome the embarrassment. Perhaps it was precisely thanks to the duality of character that the actor was equally good at both comedic and dramatic roles.

Vitaly Solomin as Doctor Watson

Vasily Livanov and Vitaly Solomin

The role that brought the actor all-Union popularity was the role of Doctor Watson. At first, Vitaly Solomin and Vasily Livanov did not have a good relationship on the set - both were distinguished by their strength of character and stubbornness, both played the main roles in the film and considered it necessary to explain to the director and each other their vision of certain scenes. But during filming they turned into real creative tandem, and after that they themselves and their family members had warm friendly relations. Vasily Livanov admits: “In our attitude to life, we coincided in many ways. Vitaly shared deeply personal experiences with me, and I think he never shared these experiences with anyone else.”

Vitaly Solomin in the film *The Bat*, 1978

Vitaly Solomin with his wife Maria Leonidova in the film *Silva*, 1981

Having lived almost his entire life with one woman, Maria Leonidova, the actor was still not constancy. The wife admits that twice she had to forgive his infidelities. In many ways, the actor repeated the fate of his hero from “Winter Cherry”: he also fell in love while married, and also never decided to leave his family. Solomin had two whirlwind romances with actresses. The wife not only forgave, but also justified her husband: she said that this was a source of inspiration for him.

Vitaly Solomin with his family, 1985

Still from the film *Winter Cherry*, 1985

At the same time, Solomin did not know how to demonstrate his feelings, especially in public. In the family he was demanding, categorical and uncompromising, he dictated his terms and expected unquestioning obedience. He insisted that his wife leave the acting profession. Moreover, he set this condition when he made the offer. “Earning money and arranging everyday life was considered his duty. And mine is to make sure that all family members feel good at home. We had a house-building, but by mutual agreement,” admits Maria. And one day, when his wife stayed late talking to a friend after work and didn’t warn her about it, Solomin took her down the stairs and slammed the door in her face.

Vitaly Solomin with his family

Vitaly Solomin with his wife and children

However, the actor was demanding not only of his loved ones, but first of all of himself: suffering from high blood pressure, Solomin did not spare himself and went on stage until his last days. In his last performance, “Krechinsky’s Wedding,” he sang, danced and even did the splits! He said that he dreams of dying on stage, like Andrei Mironov. Unfortunately, that's almost exactly what happened. On April 24, 2002, the actor was barely able to finish the first act, and during the intermission he was carried off the stage in his arms. Doctors diagnosed a stroke, Solomin spent about a month in the hospital and died on May 27.

People's Artist of Russia Vitaly Solomin

=In memory of Vitaly Solomin= =Between Watson and “Winter Cherry”=

On December 12, 2012, Vitaly Methodievich Solomin would have turned 71 years old... He starred in the films: “Women”, “Elder Sister”, “Dauria”, “Siberiada”, “Die Fledermaus”, “Silva”.

“The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson”, as well as “Winter Cherry” directed by Igor Maslennikov, brought him particular popularity.

Vitaly Solomin suffered the final blow at the play “Krechinsky’s Wedding” that he staged. He, like Moliere or Andrei Mironov, finished the first act and... He was taken from the stage to the Sklifosovsky Institute. “If it weren’t for these 34 Sklifos days, the girls’ hearts would have broken,” Maria Solomina, the actor’s wife, will later say about her daughters. And he prayed. Having been baptized two years before his death, he came to God and received the unction sincerely (so says his confessor).

In one of his interviews, Vitaly said: “I don’t understand stories that don’t have a love story. Because that’s everything.” In his life, love was called Maria. Solomin left his first wife, taking with him only a suitcase and vowing never to marry. On the set of the film "City Romance" he met Masha Leonidova and corrected his words - not to marry the actress. And so it happened. After they explained themselves and finally signed, Masha stopped filming. There were reasons for grievances in their lives... But in the end, Maria took responsibility for the family and agreed that “a man should be in love, especially a creative man.” Around the same time, Vitaly told a friend: “I will not leave Masha under any circumstances.”

Solomin is from Chita. In 1937, on December 31, their grandfather was arrested. Since then, the family has not put up a Christmas tree for a long time. And this means there was no holiday, there were no sweets and tangerines that could be plucked furtively from the pine-smelling tree; which is what the little boy began to do when the pain in the family subsided a little. He did not calm down until he had eaten all the candy. So I remained a sweet tooth. (In his empty dressing room they will find an open jar of jam behind the mirror).

From childhood, he had the desire to arrange a holiday for everyone, both in life and on stage. The stories about them from people who knew him closely are countless.

At the same time, he had a complex character and a difficult relationship with his brother. Yuri Solomin does not like and does not want to talk about this. And Vitaly, when asked whether he consults with Yuri, answered in one interview in such a way that gave rise to different guesses and versions: he usually consults at night, when he finds a revelation, and therefore only with his wife.
A six-year difference in childhood is significant. “What common interests could a ninth-grader have with a third-grader?” – admitted the eldest, Yuri. Their roads ran parallel. Yuri dreamed of acting since childhood. Vitaly – did not intend to enroll in drama school. But fate had its own way. The younger Solomin didn’t even have to go to Moscow: in the year of his graduation, the Shchepkinsky School was recruiting courses in Chita. The eldest joined the party, and then rose to the rank of minister and artistic director of the theater. The younger one didn’t think about the party. When party organizer Elena Nikolaevna Gogoleva was sent to him, the wise actress whispered to Vitaly: “I will tell “them” that you are underage.” The elder became famous for his role as His Excellency's adjutant. Junior - Doctor Watson. As a child, Yuri beat his brother at lotto, and then admitted with a smile that he had cheated a little. Vitaly absolutely did not know how to lose and therefore was offended to the point of tears, to the point of sitting gloomily under the table. Having matured, he almost dropped out of school in the first year, receiving “good” instead of “excellent” on the exam.

They are both wonderful actors. But! Yuri is revered, but Vitaly was loved. Conversation overheard on Teatralnaya Square: “I’m going to see Solomin” - “Which one?” - “To the talented one - to Vitaly.” (In Maly they showed Ostrovsky’s “It’s not all Maslenitsa for the cat”).

When the name Vitaly Solomin is mentioned, everyone first of all remembers the charming and naive Doctor Watson from the series about Sherlock Holmes. Then Igor Maslennikov will direct Solomin in “Winter Cherry,” which so captivated the female audience.

Tatyana Doronina's heroine in "The Elder Sister" recites Belinsky's words about the theater: "Live and die in it if you can!.." Vitaly Solomin, who played Kirill in this film, could. If only he could live a little longer...

At that performance “Krechinsky’s Wedding” there was a spectator who decided that the artist had gone on stage drunk and went to return his ticket...

There are roles that, having played which, the actor may not act again - he becomes famous and loved for many years. Vitaly Solomin appeared on the screen to the brilliant chords of almost Victorian music written by composer Vladimir Dashkevich. In a long English coat, a bowler hat, and a cane. Hidden in his neatly groomed mustache was the lightest and most charming smile in the world of Russian cinema.

Doctor Watson is, of course, Vitaly Solomin’s calling card. For millions of viewers, frozen for the hundredth time in front of a television screen on which English gentlemen played by Livanov and Solomin unravel the next machinations of villains, he will remain Watson. True, Solomin, surprisingly enough today, was not approved for the role of Watson for a long time - due to his absolutely un-English appearance. Fortunately, the director managed to convince management that Solomin was a typical Scot. And Solomin played the Englishman Doctor Watson so accurately that even the subjects of the British Crown would not have any protest.

The most vivid childhood memory is snow-white cotton wool between wooden window frames, decorated with multi-colored fragments of Christmas tree decorations. New Year It will be a special holiday for Vitaly. After all, even before his birth, one day on the night of January 1, his grandfather was arrested, which is why the family did not put up a Christmas tree for many years.

The Solomin family lived in a 40-meter room in an old house: father, mother, grandmother, older brother Yuri. Father Methodius Viktorovich was a choirmaster and led the House folk art. Mom Zinaida Ananyevna is a pianist at the House of Pioneers. They never managed to teach their youngest son, unlike the elder Yura, to play the musical instruments, which Vitaly regretted, having already become an actor.

Before graduating from school, Vitaly did not think that he would become an actor; he was good at mathematics. And it is unknown how life would have turned out if the Shchepkinsky School had not recruited students in Chita in the year of graduation. And he decided to try himself, especially since before his eyes stood the example of his older brother Yuri, who by this time had already successfully graduated from this famous theater university.

Everyone will unanimously call this course unique. He was recruited by the great artist Nikolai Annenkov. There were almost no Muscovites on the course. But, in addition to Vitaly Solomin, a record number of stars came out - Oleg Dal, Viktor Pavlov, Mikhail Kononov. At that time, students of theater universities were strictly forbidden to act. However, Vitaly, despite the prohibitions, spent almost all his nights at the film studio - he acted in extras and small episodes. He was already trying to understand what cinema was and how to film.

Having received a “B” for acting, Solomin even wanted to leave Shchepkinsky, but his painful pride did not allow it - after all, he did not like to lose. Vitaly constantly proved that although he followed in the footsteps of his older brother, he still had his own path. Vitaly began appearing on the theater stage while still a student. Next to the great old men of the Maly Theater, learning from them, the young actor knew how to remain himself.

He was independent and always defended his point of view. Perhaps that is why the Moscow beauty, his daughter, liked him famous writer Natalya Rodnoy. One day, Anatoly Efros invited a group of fourth-year students to his play “Dancing on the Highway,” where Vitaly and Natasha were to play the main roles. But the play was not released, Vitaly and Natasha became husband and wife, but then separated.

It is possible that Vitaly, with his views on life, simply could not match the standard of living of Natalya’s family. Or maybe, oddly enough, creative jealousy took its toll, because Natalya became more popular before her ambitious husband. In 1964, the opera film “Iolanta” was released, and the whole country was captivated by the beauty of the main character. But they say that Solomin developed jealousy of a different kind - Natalya had an affair. Having learned about this, Vitaly left, vowing to never marry again, especially not to an actress.

Solomin's first success came in 1966, when the film "Women" was released. A film about love - simple, reliable, tender. Without intimate scenes, but, nevertheless, the most real one, for which the female half of the population yearns so much at all times. In one interview, Vitaly said: “I don’t understand a plot at all that doesn’t have a love story. It’s everything.” In the story called "Life" his love was called Maria. It was a completely unexpected gift of fate, clearly destined from above. Despite all previous disappointments.

In 1970, Pyotr Todorovsky begins work on his charming film "City Romance". Then the charming student of the Leningrad Textile Institute, Masha Leonidova, was invited to act in film with virtually no auditions. But it took a long time to find a partner for her. Moreover, Masha herself was offered to choose from two artists. Everyone knew the actor who played the main male role in “Women.” And Masha, of course, named Vitaly.

Friendships began between the young people, and the acting duet promised to be very successful. But the director decided to replace the too positive Solomin with the ambiguous Kindinov. This was the first and last time Vitaly was removed from the role. Vitaly and Masha might not have met, but after a chance meeting with the film’s sound engineer, he called her.

The romance began. Solomin courted on a grand scale - flowers, restaurants, noisy companies and, of course, trips to the theater. Masha has never seen such a talented, worldly, witty and generous person as Vitaly. Soon he proposed to Masha. There was practically nowhere for young people to live. For a long time, Vitaly could not decide to invite Masha to move to Moscow, to the hostel, to the room where he lived then.

After the wedding, Masha saw Vitaly in a different light. Solomin turned out to be quite withdrawn; he could remain silent for weeks, thinking about something of his own. But Masha, by nature, is a very friendly and understanding person, she accepted him with all her heart. And even despite the harsh conditions that he set for her. Vitaly had a very clear family model, and he immediately said: “You won’t be an actress. Of course, you will do something for your soul. But so that I come and have a hot lunch.” Masha loved him and therefore easily gave up her career as an actress for Vitaly. She became just a wife and mother. His ideal of a family, at first glance old-fashioned, became their way of life. It brought happiness and was simply called love.

The coming 70s can be called the time of his theatrical triumph. “It’s not all Maslenitsa for the cat” is a cheerful, mischievous performance that people will go to especially for Solomin. Every intonation, every gesture of his caused sincere laughter in the hall.

Soon Tsarev invited Solomin to play Chatsky. The performance became the hallmark of the theater for years. They opened it every season. The performance had many original solutions - these were felt boots flying on the stage, and round glasses that resembled either Griboedov himself, or the youth idol of the 70s, John Lennon. And although Tsarev did not like all the ideas, he gave Vitaly carte blanche.

"Woe from Wit" will be followed by "The Fiesco Conspiracy in Genoa", and then by "Mamure". In this performance he will appear with the great Elena Gogoleva, the legend of Maly, who, strange as it may sound, turned to Vitaly for help. She really wanted not to look like a mastodon, a lady from the last century. And he worked with her, rehearsed.

Solomin’s path to directing was not accidental for him. He always carefully thought out and directed his acting work, correctly offering his own version of the work, which usually helped the play or film a lot, and sometimes even saved it. His first work was nothing less than "The Living Corpse". Suddenly the theater finds out that he is starting to rehearse on his own, absolutely without any plan, without any order, and a very large group of artists arrives at 9 and rehearses with Solomin Lev Nikolaevich Tolstoy until 11. This was, according to various recollections, an unexpected reading of Tolstoy. One could agree or disagree with this, but this work added problems to Solomin. Tsarev practically banned this interpretation of The Living Corpse. And then I allowed it, but already main role Yuri played. Vitaly was very worried. Probably from that time on he began to have problems with hypertension.

Following "The Living Corpse" he will stage "My Favorite Clown", "Savage", "Krechinsky's Wedding", "Ivanov". These works were talked about a lot and received ambiguously. But, one way or another, each of them was noticeable. Today, unfortunately, the theater’s repertoire does not include any of these performances. It’s a pity, because they were truly pained by Solomin, which is characteristic only of a true master.

Alas, I had to think about money. And Vitaly grabbed onto everything. A little later he began staging private performances. In the meantime, in the 70s and 80s, cinema helped us survive. Solomin starred in Andron Konchalovsky's "Siberiad", then there was a mischievous, light, like Strauss's music itself, "Die Fledermaus", where the Solomin brothers played together.

And finally, director Igor Maslennikov began work on the film “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson,” the filming of which will last 7 years with interruptions. The work gave Solomin pleasure, of course, but it was also exhausting. He had to be in Leningrad for a day, in Moscow for a day, so it turned out that sometimes he slept on the train for 10 days.

During the same period, Igor Maslennikov shot the legendary film “Winter Cherry.” A love story that, even today, especially today, does not leave the female audience indifferent. At first, another actor starred in the film, but after some time Maslennikov appointed Vitaly. He said: “I need some kind of red spot, some kind of amorphous mass.” According to the director's idea, this film is a male exposure, about male insignificance.

What the actor was like in life - subtle, without falsehood - only his closest people and friends knew about it. The Solomins' house was always open to friends. The reason for collecting could be anything - for example, just a successfully purchased herring. Vitaly loved to cook and loved to receive guests.

But life is not always a holiday. Especially the actors. The time of success was over, a period came when there were no roles for him in plays. It was real drama. The downtime lasted for five years, and, tired of waiting, he went to the Mossovet Theater for two years, where he played in “The Sad Detective” with Astafiev. As always, masterful.

In 1988, Yuri Methodievich Solomin was appointed artistic director of the Maly Theater. They say that the mother of artists, Zinaida Ananyevna, always wanted her sons to work together. And Vitaly returned to his native theater. Vitaly had a difficult relationship with his brother, but Yuri always supported him.

At the same time, Solomin was offered to be the artistic director of the course at VGIK, and Vitaly agreed. VGIK, rehearsal of "Ivanov", enterprises, filming. The work brought satisfaction. Vitaly Methodievich dreamed of a dacha and saved money. Once, a wonderful artist of the Maly Theater, Viktor Ivanovich Khokhryakov, gave Solomin a workbench. And when they bought a dacha in Khlebnikov, Vitaly made a workshop out of an old barn, in which he dreamed of teaching his grandchildren various useful men’s activities.

On his 60th birthday, after playing “Ivanov,” Vitaly danced like a young man, in no way inferior to his students. His face was flushed, indicating pressure. The actor joked about the warnings: “I’m skipping beats.” There were five months left before the final curtain of his life. They say that Solomin got so used to the image of Ivanov that his psychophysical state in this role exhausted him completely. As you know, Ivanov voluntarily dies in the finale. This was Solomin's last acting work.

And on that fateful April day, Solomin played Krechinsky. And, it would seem, nothing foreshadowed trouble. During the rehearsal, Vitaly Methodievich said: “There is a performance ahead, and I’m so tired, as if I had played it in its entirety.” Nobody attached any importance to this. In the middle of the act, Lyuda Titova says: “Vitaly’s left hand is icy. He doesn’t raise it.” But Solomin finished the act, they opened the curtain, and he said: “There’s something very wrong with me.”

Vitaly Methodievich was taken to the hospital. In the hospital he came to his senses, wrote a letter to Masha for some reason on English language. Long years he tried to learn this language, but it was not given to him. And suddenly, who knows, maybe his beloved Doctor Watson came to his aid in such a difficult moment for him.

For 34 days the actor was between life and death, between heaven and earth. For 34 days, his family and friends, and the entire theater, prayed for him. In the hope that he will return to them. But he left.

Vitaly Solomin has played more than 50 film roles, but most viewers associate him with Dr. Watson from the Soviet film adaptation of the Sherlock Holmes stories. Surprisingly, in real life the actor bore little resemblance to a well-bred and cold-blooded Englishman: legends were made about the absurd character of the “guy from Chita.” On Solomin’s anniversary, AiF.ru remembers what the favorite artist of the Soviet screen really was like.

On a white horse

Solomin's parents were music teachers and dreamed of seeing their youngest son as the new Richter. However, the boy did not live up to their hopes: he patiently learned to play the piano, and he was in a hurry to attend sports classes. In Chita there was no sports club where the future Doctor Watson did not practice: volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, athletics, the young man especially liked boxing. But these hobbies were never destined to develop into a profession.

Vitaly said that he always envied his older brother, Yuri Solomin, who from the very beginning decided that he would become an artist, and stubbornly walked towards his goal. “At school he was a choir soloist. And one day I decided to kill everyone with my talent. I learned the words to one children's song, but when the music started playing, out of excitement I was unable to make at least some sound similar to the song. This was my first appearance on stage,” recalled the future People’s Artist.

Brothers Yuri and Vitaly Solomin. Photo: www.globallookpress.com

Yuri entered drama school when Vitaly was only 11 years old. And when the future Watson graduated from school, he hurried to follow his brother to Moscow to the Shchepkinsky School. The ambitious young man received parting words from his father: “Everything is correct, son. To fall off a white horse!” But Solomin did not have the chance to fall; on the contrary, he “rode on a white horse” first to the Shchepkinsky Theater School, and then to the big cinema.

Photo: www.russianlook.com

Harmful hero

Already from his second year, Solomin played at the Maly Theater, and the film career of the aspiring artist was no less successful. His first serious work on the big screen was the sentimental melodrama “Women,” which once and for all brought the 25-year-old artist the love of the audience. “A few days after the release began, I realized what popularity was,” the actor recalled. And ahead of him were only roles in 30 performances and more than 50 films. Vadim Dashkov from the melodrama “Winter Cherry”, the rogue Pasha from the film “Sincerely yours...”, Falk from “Die Fledermaus” - Solomin equally easily tried on a wide variety of masks and images, from an absurd simpleton to an elegant hero-lover.

Vitaly Solomin in the film “Women” (1965) Photo: Still from the film

The audience was fascinated by the charm of the Soviet star, and new acquaintances were impressed by his complex character. In private life, the artist was a gloomy and thoughtful person; at rehearsals he was often unrestrained, and thanks to his categoricalness he made many problems and enemies. Andron Konchalovsky, who directed Solomin in “Sibiriyada,” even nicknamed him “the stone flower”: the actor seemed so uncompromising and firm in disputes. And Solomin himself did not hide his shortcomings: “Everyone who knows me closely enough believes that I have a very difficult character. I’m stubborn, and sometimes even harmful.”

Vitaly Solomin in the film " The Cherry Orchard"(1976) Photo: Still from the film

Jealous ladies' man

The artist’s difficult character was best studied by his second wife - Maria(from his first wife - actress Natalia Rudnaya— Solomin left in his youth, taking with him only a suitcase with clothes). The famous artist met her at the audition for the film “City Romance,” and although he never got a role in the film, he found his love.

After an unsuccessful first marriage, Watson decided that he would never marry an actress, and he kept his promise to himself, giving Maria an ultimatum: no cinema. His arguments were as follows: “If you start filming, you will need to go somewhere. There are few women on the trains, and the men are pushy. No one will buy an entire compartment for an actress, which means that for me to be calm, I will have to pay extra for three seats from my own money. Next, they will put you up in a hotel. You can't go anywhere in the evening: beautiful woman, one. Yes, and there would be something to film for: they pay pennies, but you have to give your best.” But, being a terribly jealous person, he himself seemed quite loving and always basked in female attention.

Maria and Vitaly Solomin in the film “Silva”, 1981. Photo: Still from the film

“Like Andrei Mironov”

Despite his bad character and constant disagreements with the management of the Maly Theater, Solomin “betrayed” his native stage only once, going to the Theater named after him for two years. Mossovet. There he played in a play based on Astafiev’s play “ Sad detective" But when Maly became the artistic director Yuri Solomin, Vitaly succumbed to his brother’s persuasion and returned “home”.

IN last years Throughout his life, Solomin worked especially hard: he acted himself and staged plays as a director. “When he staged Krechinsky’s Wedding, he literally glowed with happiness. He basked in his role, doing incredible things on stage, for example, doing the splits from a running start. And this at 60 years old,” recalled actor Vasily Livanov, who warned his friend against displaying such passion.

Once Solomin said that he wanted to die on stage, like Andrey Mironov. And these terrible words turned out to be almost prophetic.

That same “Krechinsky’s Wedding” became for the artist last performance. April 23, 2002 Solomin in last time came on stage. During the first act, the actor suddenly became ill and was taken to the hospital. It later turned out that Solomin had an ischemic stroke, and a month later he died in the hospital.

Still from the film "Women"

Still from the film "Big Sister"

Still from the movie "Die Hard"

Still from the film “Dauria”

Still from the film “Siberiada”

People's Artist of Russia Vitaly Solomin passed away 16 years ago. At the time of his death, the actor was 60 years old. IN last days During his life, Solomin did not communicate with his brother, Yuri. Many believed that Yuri Methodievich was jealous of Vitaly and jealous of his success. What can we say: both men had numerous admirers, but women for the most part still preferred Vitaly Solomin, loving him for his easy-going nature, cheerfulness and charm.

The eldest grandson of Vitaly Methodievich was small when his grandfather died, but the guy remembers him well. Kirill did not follow in the footsteps of his famous relative, but he appeared with him on the stage of the Maly Theater in the past.

IN given time Kirill does not communicate with his grandfather’s brother, Yuri Solomin, and does not even know how things are going with him and his family.

“I saw him live twice, and neither I recognized him nor he recognized me. Then it became clear that it was my grandfather’s brother, but we had no communication,” Kirill shared.

// Photo: still from a documentary

At one time, the brothers' families got together, but later they stopped communicating. Yuri Methodievich admitted that he and his brother broke off their relationship after the death of their mother, Zinaida Ananyevna, who was the connecting link in their family. The woman invited Vitaly, Yuri and their families to all the holidays, but with her, alas, this good tradition disappeared.

“They communicated when my grandmother was alive. We went to visit each other, Yura came to us: alone and with his family,” shared Vitaly Solomin’s daughter, Elizaveta.

// Photo: still from a documentary

Yuri Methodievich denied rumors that he and his brother were jealous of each other. According to the actor, there was nothing to envy. And in fact, each of the brothers had successful roles, each of them was strong in their own field: for example, Vitaly Solomin was excellent at transforming into comedic characters, and Yuri into dramatic ones.

“Vitaly is not a serious person. When he said something seriously, it always seemed that he was deliberately carrying some kind of “blizzard”. It was this readiness to smile that gave him a certain charm and charm. His older brother is a dramatic artist, but comedy is more difficult for him,” summed up director Andrei Konchalovsky.

// Photo: still from a documentary