Royal figure Oleg Tabakov, remembered by his strict nanny and feline companion Matroskin, garnering recollections of his life.
Oleg Tabakov: A Legendary Figure in Russian Theatre and Cinema
Born on August 17, 1935, in Saratov, Russia, Oleg Tabakov grew up in a family of doctors. His early life was marked by a passion for the arts, particularly theatre, which was nurtured during his time in a theatrical circle called "Young Guard" from 1950 to 1953.
This early interest led him to formal training at the Moscow Art Theatre School, where he studied under Vasily Osipovich Toporkov. During his third year, he made his film debut in "Sasha Joins the Life" (1956).
Tabakov's professional stage career began in 1957 when he became one of the founding members of the Sovremennik Theatre, taking on the role of the student Misha in the play "Forever Alive." He led Sovremennik until 1982 before moving to the Moscow Art Theatre, where he acted in major roles for over two decades.
In 1986, Tabakov established the Tabakov Studio attached to the Moscow Art Theatre, nurturing future prominent actors such as Sergey Bezrukov and Yevgeny Mironov. His role as a teacher and leader was further solidified when he was approved by the Ministry of Culture of the USSR to lead a new youth theater-studio that same year.
Tabakov's career evolved to include directing, and he served as the director of the Moscow Theater "Sovremennik" for nearly 30 years. In 2000, he became the artistic director of the MXAT named after A.P. Chekhov, following Oleg Efremov's death.
Tabakov's talents extended beyond the stage and screen. He is most known for voicing Matroskin the cat from the "Adventures of the Enchanted Pencil" series of cartoons. Off-screen, he loved practical jokes and often answered phone calls with the voice of Matroskin the cat.
In January 2004, Tabakov also took on the role of the director of the MXAT named after A.P. Chekhov. His legacy continued to grow, as he and students from GITIS renovated an abandoned coal storage facility on Chaplygin Street in Moscow, transforming it into the famous "Tabakerka" basement.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, tickets for the performances at the new theater-studio were impossible to obtain due to the large audience. The official opening of the new theater-studio under Tabakov's leadership took place on March 1, 1987, with a performance of "The Chair."
Tabakov's career was not without its challenges. He suffered a heart attack at the age of 29 due to overwork. However, he continued to persevere, leaving the director's chair of the Moscow Theater "Sovremennik" six years after he joined.
Oleg Tabakov left an indelible mark on Russian theatre and cinema. He passed away on March 12, 2018, at the age of 82, but his legacy lives on. He is survived by his four children: son Anton, daughter Alexandra, son Pavel, and daughter Masha.
Tabakov would have turned 90 on August 17, 2025. His versatility as an actor is evident in his roles in films such as "The Twelve Chairs," "D'Artagnan and the Three Musketeers," and "The Man from Boulevard des Capucines." Despite his numerous accolades, Tabakov remained grounded and approachable, always ready for a good practical joke.
Tabakov's versatility extended beyond theatre and cinema, voicing Matroskin the cat in popular cartoons, and he also enjoyed entertaining friends and fans with practical jokes using the voice of his cartoon character. A collection of books chronicling the life and career of Oleg Tabakov would offer an interesting exploration of his Entertainment and relationship with celebrities in the Russian arts scene.
Despite facing numerous challenges throughout his career, Oleg Tabakov regularly attended book launches and gatherings of fellow authors and artists, demonstrating his continued passion for the Arts and appreciation of books as a medium for personal and professional growth.