Nikolai Annenkov

Nikolai Annenkov, one of Russian theatre's most eloquent voices who was a descendant of liberated peasants, was a leading actor of Maly Theatre and teacher of many film stars. He was born Nikolai Aleksandrovich Kokin on September 21, 1899, in the village of Inzhaviono, Tambov province, Russian Empire. His grandfather was a liberated Russian peasant who started his own farming business. His father, named Aleksandr Ivanovich Kokin, became a prosperous farmer and trader. His mother, named Anna Ivanovna Kokina (nee Kazakina), was a homemaker and raised six children.

From 1910-1917 he studied at Tambov Gymnasium, then at Moscow Institute of Communications.

From 1919-1922 he served in Cavalry of the Red Army during the Russian Civil War.

From 1922-1924 he studied at Shchepkin School of Acting at Maly Theatre in Moscow.

From 1922-1999 Annenkov was a permanent member of the legendary troupe at Maly Academic Theatre in Moscow. There he played over 200 roles on stage. He began his acting career as a stage partner of Maria Ermolova. He worked on stage with such actors as Yelena Gogoleva, A. Yablochkina, Varvara Massalitinova, Vsevolod Aksyonov, Yevdokiya Turchaninova, Vera Pashennaya, Olga Sadovskaya, Elina Bystritskaya, Rufina Nifontova, Boris Babochkin, Mikhail Zharov, Igor Ilyinsky, Yuriy Solomin, and many other notable Russian actors. Nikolai Annenkov was famous for his special voice and an authentic, eloquent Russian speech. His voice was loved by millions of radio listeners for his radio-readings from classic literature. His eloquent narration for the 24-hour-long documentary about the art collection and history of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg won him numerous awards. Annenkov's stage performances were admired by such directors as Vsevolod Meyerhold, Konstantin Stanislavsky, Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, and Aleksandr Tairov, as well as by critics and public across Russia.

On June 22, 1941, Annenkov was on tour with his theatre troupe in Kovel in Western Ukraine. The advancing Nazi troops invaded Ukraine and the Soviet Union on that day in the Second World War. Annenkov and other actors performed for the Soviet Army troops, then were evacuated. In 1942, Annenkov was evacuated from Moscow, but soon returned, and from 1942-1945 he was in Moscow. Annenkov was decorated for his courage in the defense of Moscow during the Second World War.

From 1946-1999 he taught at Shchepkin School of Maly Theatre. There his students were such actors as Oleg Dal, Viktor Pavlov, Georgi Obolensky, Mikhail Kononov, Vitali Solomin, and many other notable Russian actors.

He was awarded three State Prizes of the USSR and Russia, and was designated People's Artist of the USSR (1960).

Annenkov celebrated his 100th birthday on stage of Maly Theatre in Moscow. His birthday party was attended by many celebrities, political and cultural figures of Russia.