Anatoli Petrovich Ktorov was a famous Russian film and stage actor.
Early years
He was born Anatoli Petrovich Viktorov on April 24, 1898, in Moscow. His grandfather was a successful merchant, his father, named Petr Viktorov, was an industrial engineer. His mother was a pianist and singer. Young Ktorov was brought up in artistic environment of Moscow's cultural milieu. He attended Classical Gymnasium in Moscow, and was fond of acting inschool drama class. In 1916, at age 18, Ktorov became a student at the Acting School of Fyodor Komissarzhevsky, a stern acting coach who was critical of Ktorov's stuttering. But Ktorov, who was a shy person in real life, demonstrated his remarkable persistence and determination; he practiced his lines several hundred times. In 1917 Ktorov made his acting debut on stage of Komissarzhevsky Theatre. Ktorov's stuttering was noticeable only in his real life off-stage, but he never stuttered on-stage. However, director Komissarzhevsky did not believe in Ktorov, and his career seemed to be limited to cameo roles. Ktorov's fate was changed by Illarion Pevtsov who believed in Ktorov's talent and took him as protégé. In 1919 Pevtsov introduced Ktorov to Vera Popova. She was an established actress and experienced acting coach, she also recognized Ktorov's talent and took him under her wing. Eventually Popova became Ktorov's partner on stage and in life.
Career in cinema
From 1920 - 1933 Ktorov was a permanent member of the troupe at Korsh Theatre in Moscow. There he played leading roles in classic dramas and comedies, as well as in contemporary plays, with Vera Popova as his permanent stage partner. In 1925 Ktorov shot to fame with the leading role in the silent movie Zakroyshchik iz Torzhka by director Yakov Protazanov. He also gave an impressive performance in Protazanov's Prazdnik svyatogo Yorgena. The highlight of Ktorov's career was his brilliant performance as Paratov in Without Dowry, a classic film by Yakov Protazanov. From 1933 - 1980 Ktorov was a permanent member of the troupe at Moscow Art Theatre.
Later years
Anatoli Ktorov was designated People's Artist of the USSR, was awarded the State Prize of the USSR, and received numerous decorations for his contribution to the art of film and theatre. He gave remarkable performances in his last film roles, which are considered to be his best works, one as Prince Bolkonsky in War and Peace by director Sergei Bondarchuk, and then as the King in Posol Sovetskogo Soyuza. Anatoli Ktorov died of natural causes on September 30, 1980, in Moscow, and was laid to rest in Vvedenskoe Cemetery in Moscow, Russia.
