Alexander Ponomarenko, a famed comedian from the Ponomarenko brothers duo, dies at 56
The comedian Alexander Ponomarenko, best known as part of the Ponomarenko brothers duo, passed away at the age of fifty‑six. The news was shared by television host Andrey Malakhov and confirmed by those close to his circle.
Alexander Morozov, a longtime member of Crooked Mirror, spoke with socialbites.ca to honor Ponomarenko’s career. He described him as a true professional and, above all, a person whose creative spark defined him. Morozov recalled that Ponomarenko possessed a rare blend of steady work ethic and constant invention, always crafting or composing something new. He emphasized that Ponomarenko was a warm, kind, and nonconfrontational person who stood out as a reliable friend and collaborator.
Collaboration with the Ponomarenko brothers was effortless in Morozov’s view, with music always at the center of their work. He recalled a persona rooted in folk elements, Rostov textures, and genuine warmth, noting that Alexander carried those roots in every performance.
Earlier in the year, Anthony Malakhov’s program featured Ponomarenko sharing details of his cancer battle. He remained in Rostov‑on‑Don for treatment rather than visiting the studio, and a segment showed him discussing his illness. He described a difficult episode after a summer 2021 medical event when a perforated ulcer led to surgery. The later diagnosis of stomach cancer emerged after histological analysis conducted in Rostov. The program’s broadcast included his account of those moments and his ongoing treatment.
Initial chemotherapy cycles did not yield the desired results. Ponomarenko described intensifying treatment, which brought with it side effects such as leg pain and swelling in the hands. He spoke candidly about the medical decisions that helped sustain his life, including how doctors managed to preserve his leg during treatment. He also shared the physical toll: a year and a half without performances, a weight loss of about twenty kilograms, and a switch to liquid nutrition that required feeding through tubes. He likened his situation to life aboard a space mission, joking about tubes and the sense of being on a journey beyond ordinary routines.
Yet the illness also provided a renewed drive to return to the stage. Ponomarenko insisted that life continued beyond the diagnosis, stressing that one should not dwell on illness or cultivate anger. His wife remained by his side throughout the ordeal. In their thirtieth year of partnership, the couple faced the trial together, remaining steadfast in their resolve to conquer the disease. The artist himself insisted that the audience, not only his family, mattered deeply to him, reflecting on the role of supporters in his life and work.
By early December, Valery Ponomarenko, Alexander’s twin brother, spoke candidly on the You Won’t Believe program about the financial strain of treatment. He revealed that the family faced expenses for expensive medications surpassing one million rubles, highlighting the gravity of accessing continuing care for such a serious condition. Actress Klara Novikova later shared her awareness of Alexander Ponomarenko’s illness, noting that funds were raised to support treatment and that plans for a concert had been arranged to contribute to his care. She recalled observing him in the summer and recognizing his weakened condition on stage, acknowledging that his health had been fragile and that his energy did not fully return during performances.
Novikova also mentioned her appreciation of the siblings’ creative evolution, praising how they developed their theatrical numbers and collaborations. She recalled being invited to perform with them and described the duo as highly engaging on screen, noting her affection for them despite not being close friends. She offered condolences to the family and the audience, emphasizing the loss of a talented and humorous duet that brought laughter to many people. The legacy of the Ponomarenko brothers, built on their popular presence on Crooked Mirror and their broader TV work, remains a memorable part of their era in the entertainment scene. In addition to their television appearances, the brothers enjoyed making theater‑inspired projects and entertaining audiences on Morning Mail, Repeat!, and the Variety Theater, among other ventures, leaving a lasting mark on fans and colleagues alike.