Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Official website of the State –
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December 18th is a special day for anyone who loves laughter, the circus, and good cinema, as it was on this day in 1921 that the great clown, talented actor, and true hero Yuri Nikulin was born.
Growing up in a theatrical family, Yuri wanted to study acting after finishing school, but the war interrupted these plans.
Two wars
In 1939, the future artist was called up for military service, and for the next seven years he defended our country, first in the Soviet-Finnish War, during which Nikulin's battery protected the approaches to Leningrad from enemy air raids, and then in the Great Patriotic War, during which the artist also fought near Leningrad.
Circus on Tsvetnoy
Returning to civilian life in 1946, Yuri Nikulin attempted to enroll in a theater school, but both GITIS and VGIK rejected him, failing to recognize his talent.
However, he was accepted into the school-studio of spoken genres at the Moscow Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard, with which the artist never left, first working as a clown and then heading the institution.
Today, the Circus on Tsvetnoy is named after Yuri Nikulin, and his son runs it.
Acting career
The actor entered the film industry at age 36, making his first appearance in a cameo role in "Girl with a Guitar," starring Lyudmila Gurchenko. After several more small but memorable cameos, he joined the legendary trio Balbes, which, along with Experienced (Yevgeny Morgunov) and Coward (Georgy Vitsin), captivated audiences.
Comedies starring Yuri Nikulin continue to attract thousands of people of all generations to their screens. He created unforgettable characters in "The Diamond Arm," "Kidnapping, Caucasian Style," "The Old Robbers," "The Twelve Chairs," and others.
The actor was no less adept at dramatic roles, as can be seen in films such as "When the Trees Were Tall," "They Fought for Their Country," "Twenty Days Without War," "Scarecrow," and others.
Yuri Nikulin was remembered as a man of boundless kindness. "I'm a clown," the artist said of himself. "I get joy when I hear the audience laugh. I get joy when I see the smiles of children and adults."
Thank you for the laughter and tears, for my favorite films and the Circus on Tsvetnoy, happy birthday, legend!
Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: December 18, 2025.
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