Renowned Russian artist Sergei Kolesnikov has passed away at age 68, as reported by RIA Novosti.
According to his wife, Maria Velikanova, the artist died in the early hours of April 29. At first she could not confirm the exact cause, wondering whether it was a heart attack or a stroke.
Later, Kolesnikov’s son Ivan explained in an interview with Channel Five that the cause of death was a stroke. When asked where his father was treated as his health declined, he replied that he had been taken to Sklifosovsky Institute.
Ivan shared a Telegram archive clip showing a young Sergei Kolesnikov playing the guitar, a reminder of the artist’s early years and musical interests.
Details about the farewell ceremony, including time and venue, have not yet been announced and will be shared in due course.
“Acting is a Calling, Not Just a Job”
The Moscow Art Theatre Chekhov, where Kolesnikov worked from 1978 until the early 2010s, issued a statement of condolence to his family and friends.
“Today, on April 29, at the age of 69, the life of Sergei Valentinovich Kolesnikov ends. A poised, generous, respected Honored Artist of Russia who trained at the Moscow Art Theatre School and spent three decades on the stage, the theatre mourns with the family and with everyone who knew and admired him”, read the Telegram tribute. [citation: Moscow Art Theatre Chekhov press release]
Andrey Tumanov, Kolesnikov’s longtime gardener at Fazenda, described him to socialbites.ca as a courteous professional who loved his craft and always offered a helping hand.
“If he hadn’t achieved artistic greatness, he would still tell you he’d rather starve than give up acting. He treated the profession as a vocation and spoke of it with reverence. That earned him respect,” Tumanov said.
“We had an office near the Varyete Theater, and he would stop by often. We’d share a warm hug and reminisce about the old days. Many actors can be difficult, but Sergei carried a consistently positive note. It was a privilege to stand beside him and talk,” he recalled.
According to Tumanov, Kolesnikov was easy to work with because he absorbed directions instantly, possessed a quick sense of humor, and enjoyed laughter even when the jokes were at his expense. “He led the stage with intelligence, whether the task called for wit or restraint. If a scene demanded cleverness, he delivered it,” Tumanov remembered.
People’s Artist of Russia Valery Barinov noted that Kolesnikov had health struggles in the past but spoke highly of his character.
“He was a kind, open person who always welcomed conversation and lending a hand. I’m glad for his son, and I share in this loss with everyone who knew him,” Barinov concluded.
Moscow Art Theatre, Bond’s Voice, and Sundance Recognition
Sergei Kolesnikov was born on January 4, 1955, in Moscow. He completed his acting studies in 1978 under Sofia Pilyavskaya and Vladimir Bogomolov at the Moscow Art Theatre School. While still a student, he joined the theatre’s stage and remained closely tied to the company for years. His most notable onstage roles included Tibul in The Three Fat Men, Mortimer in Mary Stuart, and the dual characters Hendon and Joe Gray in The Prince and the Pauper.
In 1987, following a reorganization of the theatre, he joined the troupe at Moscow Art Theatre Gorky, performing as Glumov in Stupid Enough For Any Wise Man, Vaska Ash in Below, and Don Juan in Mad Jourdain. Since 1990 he appeared on the Moscow Art Theater Chekhov stage as Gloucester in King Lear, Curly in The Tempest, Hans the Knight in Ondine, and Skalozub in Woe from Wit.
Kolesnikov gained broad recognition through films and television series such as Petersburg Secrets, Truckers, Die Hard: A Good Day to Die, Anatomy of a Murder, Ambulance, and Heart of Parma. He also appeared in a film by French director Sophie Barthez, which won the Grand Prix at the Sundance Film Festival.
In addition to acting, Kolesnikov did voice work, notably dubbing James Bond in early Sean Connery films and later productions featuring Roger Moore. He hosted the Fazenda program on Kanal One from 2006 to 2012.
Surviving relatives include his wife, two sons, and three grandchildren. His son Ivan followed in his father’s footsteps after graduating from the MS Shchepkin Higher Theatre School, acting in titles such as Upward Movement, Part One, and Peter I: The Last Tsar and First Emperor. [citation: family statements and career retrospectives]