TV presenter Yuri Nikolaev. Biography

Yuri Nikolaev is a film actor and TV presenter, People's Artist of Russia. Over the years, he has been bringing the entire country to the screens with the Morning Mail program and discovering young talents on the Morning Star TV show. Millions of TV viewers fell in love with these projects, and the TV presenter's name became a symbol of Soviet and Russian television.

Childhood in Chisinau

The TV presenter was born on December 16, 1948 in Chisinau, the capital of Moldova. His father was a colonel in the Interior Ministry, and his mother was a captain in the NKVD. Yuri had an older sister, Tatiana, from his mother's first marriage, whose husband died in 1941.

The actor showed a craving for the stage back in his school years. He actively participated in the theater circle and even played children's roles on local Chisinau television. It was there that his fateful meeting with director Igor Levinsky took place, who was looking for a teenager for the TV play "Men's Conversation".

On the advice of the teachers, he drew attention to the young Nikolaev. The auditions were successful, strengthening the young man's intention to become an actor.

From GITIS to the Morning Post

After graduating from high school in 1965, Nikolaev entered GITIS with a degree in Theater and Cinema Actor. After moving to Moscow, he lived in a dormitory where his neighbors were future movie stars Vera Alentova and Vladimir Menshov. Yuri had a strong friendship with the latter. Once, Nikolayev did not have the right shoes for a concert, and Menshov generously lent him his shoes and tie.

After graduating from the university in 1970, Nikolaev worked for five years at the Pushkin Theater. He also starred in films, his most notable role was the sailor Konstantin Sharygin in the large-scale movie epic "Walking through the Torments". In parallel, in 1973, he began freelance work on Central Television. The first program he conducted was "Let's go, boys!".

In 1975, the talented presenter was invited to join the staff of the Central Television of Gosteleradio of the USSR. This decision forced him to leave the theater, as he now spent all his time on the air. In the same year, he was entrusted with hosting a new program, Morning Mail.

According to the artist's recollections, after the first release, he doubted whether this format was suitable for him, and thought about leaving the project. However, the audience was delighted, which convinced him to stay.

The host of the "Morning Star"

A big milestone in the career of Yuri Nikolaev was the program "Morning Mail", which was released every Sunday. Valery Leontiev, Lyudmila Gurchenko, and Alexander Gradsky performed on its air. Foreign guests were traditionally invited to the final of the issue, first from the socialist camp, and later from the USA, Italy, Great Britain and other countries.

Nikolaev led the program for 16 years, until 1991. He was the first to break away from the strict rules of television: he could appear in jeans and a sweater, and he joked a lot. Thanks to his charm and charisma, the show has become truly popular.

During the existence of the program, many new names have been discovered. In total, about 20 thousand young talents took part in it, among whom were Alsou, Pelageya, Vlad Topalov, Zara and Yulia Nachalova, who called Nikolayev her godfather.

In addition to the legendary "Mail", Nikolaev also hosted "Blue Light", "Good Night, kids!", "Song of the Year" and a music festival in Jurmala.

During his career, the TV presenter has been awarded numerous state and professional awards. These include the Order of Friendship (2007), the Order of Honor (2014) and the title of People's Artist of Russia (1998). In addition, Yuri Nikolaev is a two—time winner of the prize of the Union of Journalists of Russia, as well as the winner of the special prize of the Muz-TV award.

In 2007, the presenter was elected a member of the Academy of Russian Television. He was also a member of the Moscow English Club and the UNESCO Board of Trustees.

Personal life, struggle with illness

Nikolayev was married twice. His first marriage to his classmate Galina turned out to be short-lived and quickly broke up. He married for the second time in 1975, the sister of a close friend, actor Ronald Gravis, Eleanor, whom he had known since his youth.

The future spouses met when Yuri was 18 and Eleanor was 15. She is an economist by education, and later she became not only a reliable support for her husband, but also the financial director of his company, Unix.

The couple lived together for half a century, going through many difficulties. There were no children in the marriage. Eleanor noted that the reason why they could not become parents was her husband's alcohol addiction.

In 1978, an addiction almost cost him his career: Nikolaev went live in a state of intoxication. A big scandal broke out, and the presenter was suspended from work. According to rumors, Leonid Brezhnev personally stood up for him. The artist was given a chance, and since 1982 he has completely given up alcohol.

Nikolaev was an active and enthusiastic person. He loved skiing, lawn tennis, billiards, and even piloted a sports plane. He passed on his love for heaven to his friend Leonid Yakubovich.

In recent years, the condition of the People's Artist has deteriorated sharply. He struggled with cancer for a long time, complained of severe headaches, and in November 2024 was hospitalized with pneumonia. Smoking, which he could not give up, interfered with the restoration of breathing.

Yuri Nikolaev died on November 4, 2025 in Moscow at the age of 77.