Honored Artist of Russia Larisa Zhukovskaya. Biography

Larisa Zhukovskaya, an actress of theater and cinema, Honored Artist of Russia, known to the audience for her roles in the films Anna Karenina and War and Peace, died on June 1 at the age of 89. For more than 60 years, she served in the Moscow Art Theater troupe, and after the division of the theater, she remained at the Gorky Moscow Art Theater under the direction of director Tatiana Doronina. About her creative path, theatrical works and film roles — in the material of Izvestia.

Early years and education

Larisa Aleksandrovna Zhukovskaya was born on June 13, 1937. The future actress spent her childhood in the war and post-war years, which largely shaped her character and attitude to life.

In 1959, Zhukovskaya graduated from GITIS (Joseph Rayevsky's course), one of the most prestigious theatrical educational institutions in the country. Already during her studies, she began acting in films: her debut took place in 1956, when she received a cameo role in the historical-revolutionary film "They were the First".

Theatrical career

Since 1961, Zhukovskaya has served in the Moscow Art Theater troupe. After the division of the theater in 1987, she remained at the Gorky Moscow Art Theater, which was headed by Doronina.

During her long theatrical career, Zhukovskaya has played dozens of roles on stage. Among her theatrical works: Zhenya in the play "Going into a Thunderstorm" based on the novel by Daniil Granin, Mabel Cheathern in Oscar Wilde's "Ideal Husband", Butova in Victor Rozov's play "Her Friends", Alevtina Petrovna in the play "On the Wedding Day", The Concierge Alevtina Petrovna in Yuri Polyakov's "Mushroom Tsar".

She also played in classic productions: "Mary Stuart" by Friedrich Schiller (the roles of Rosamund and Gertrude), "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, "Three Fat Men" by Yuri Olesha, "The Noble Nest" by Ivan Turgenev, "Zoya's Apartment" by Mikhail Bulgakov, "Pygmalion" by Bernard Shaw (Mrs. Eynsford Hill) and many others.

Film career

Zhukovskaya made her film debut as a student, and in total she starred in about two dozen films during her career. However, her roles in the film adaptations of the classics brought her real fame.

In 1957, she played the role of a birthday guest in the drama The House I Live In. In 1958, she played Dimka's girlfriend in the youth film Knock on Any Door.

In Sergei Bondarchuk's epic film War and Peace (1965-1967), Zhukovskaya played Princess Bezukhov, Pierre Bezukhov's wife. In the famous film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina (1967), she appeared as Princess Voronova.

Among her other film works: "Resurrection" (1960-1962), "Shot" (1966, the role of the wife of a Polish landowner), the comedy "Royal Regatta" (1966, Princess Christina). The last film with Zhukovskaya's participation was released in 2003.

In 2003, the actress was awarded the honorary title of "Honored Artist of the Russian Federation." She was also awarded the medal "In Memory of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow" and the badge of the All-Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs.

Last years and death

In the last years of her life, the actress was seriously ill. The state of her health became known from the messages of her relatives: she was hospitalized and was on artificial ventilation.

Zhukovskaya died on June 1, 2026 in the hospital, less than two weeks before her 89th birthday. The cause of death was not officially disclosed.