Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- People’s Artist of Russia Leonid Kuravlev died at the age of 86 after a serious illness. This became known on Sunday, 30 January.

The death of the artist was reported to TASS by the Union of Cinematographers of the Russian Federation. “Leonid Vyacheslavovich died, we are in touch with his son,” the source said. The time and date of parting with Kuravlyov is still being specified.

Leonid Kuravlev was hospitalized in early January in a serious condition with signs of viral pneumonia. The actor had difficulty breathing, after hospitalization he had a fever. Tests for coronavirus infection came back negative.

On 26 January, it became known that the actor was discharged from the hospital. Then his son Vasily Kuravlev said that 85-year-old Leonid Vyacheslavovich needs rehabilitation under round-the-clock supervision of specialists.

Leonid Kuravlev was born on 8 October 1936 in Moscow. His father was a locksmith and his mother worked as a hairdresser. In 1953, the artist first tried to enroll in VGIK, but did not pass. The next attempt took place two years later: Kuravlev became a student of the acting department of VGIK. Studied on the course of Boris Bibikov

He made his film debut during his student days, playing a sapper soldier Morozov in the film “There will be no dismissal today ...” by Andrei Tarkovsky and Alexander Gordon. At the same time, the actor starred in Vasily Shukshin’s graduation work "From Lebyazhye Report", as well as in the adventure film "Midshipman Panin" by Mikhail Schweitzer.

The first film success came to Kuravlev in 1964, after the main role in Shukshin’s film "Such a guy lives." One of the most famous characters of the artist was the plumber Athanasius Borshchov in the film "Afonya" by George Danelia. The picture became the leader of the Soviet rental in 1975. 

Kuravlev is also known for his roles in films such as Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession, The Most Charming and Attractive, The Meeting Place Cannot Be Changed, Viy, The Golden Calf.

Filmography Kuravlev has more than 200 films. The artist continued to act in films until 2015. The actor also worked on television.