The artistic director of the F. Volkov Theater in Yaroslavl, noted Russian actor, director, and screenwriter Sergei Puskepalis, died today in a car accident.
RIA Novosti’s interlocutor at law enforcement agencies confirmed the information.
According to official data from the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs, the incident occurred on September 20 around 11:00 Moscow time in the Rostov region, at the 201st kilometer of the M8 Kholmogory highway, in a collision between a Ford Transit and a truck. The crash quickly drew responders, with traffic police, a search operations group, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations arriving at the scene to assist and assess the situation. Investigators began documenting the scene to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the collision.
Two people lost their lives as a result of the collision: the driver of the Ford and Sergei Puskepalis. The truck driver was hospitalized with injuries. The investigation continues, and officials have pledged to clarify all contributing factors. In moments of tragedy, colleagues described Puskepalis as a performer with a rare, magnetic stage presence and a generous spirit who inspired many colleagues and audiences alike. A colleague from the theatre community spoke of his enduring impact, emphasizing how his voice and performances resonated beyond the stage, across regions and generations. The remark highlighted a personal connection that formed through shared experiences in theatre and cinema, and through collaborations that included festivals, tours, and intimate performances.
Sergei Vytauto Puskepalis was 56 years old. His father was Lithuanian, and his mother Bulgarian. He studied at the Saratov Theater School, served in the navy, and began his acting career with the Saratov Youth Theater. He later studied with Pyotr Fomenko at the Russian Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating in 2001. He began appearing in films in 2003, with his first screen role in the feature film Walk directed by Alexei Uchitel. Over the years, he appeared in the TV series Idealist, Owl Cry, Apothecary, and the disaster film Metro, among more than 50 film projects and television productions. He also directed the play The Russian War of Pectoralis, based on a script by Oleg Grisevich at the Oleg Tabakov Theater in Moscow. Since 2019, he led the Yaroslavl Drama Theater named after F. Volkov. He is survived by his wife and son, leaving a legacy that many in the theatre and film communities remember with admiration.
public position
Since 2015, he participated in events related to the Donetsk People’s Republic, fostering a close relationship with its leadership, including Alexander Zakharchenko. A well-known writer, Zakhar Prilepin, noted that Puskepalis had extended financial support to the Donetsk People’s Republic. In 2022, he publicly expressed support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. These associations and statements have been part of public discussion surrounding his career and humanitarian concerns raised by his supporters and critics alike.