Maxim Sukhanov is a Russian theater and film actor, producer, screenwriter, master of dubbing and dubbing audiobooks. It is not for nothing that he is called one of the most unusual and mysterious artists of his generation. He has the appearance of Porthos, the character of a harmless child, and the temperament of a geyser. And also – a fantastic ability to give a multi-ton weight not only to any image, but also to every replica. His roles are honed to perfection, and it is impossible to imagine anyone else in them.
Childhood and youth of the artist
The future celebrity was born in November 1963. The boy grew up in an intelligent family. My mother was an artist, my father was a military man. Maxim does not remember him at all: his parents divorced shortly after his birth. Later, my mother married the poet Alexander Aronov for the second time.
His grandmother, actress Vera Bureeva, played a big role in Maxim's upbringing. It was she who instilled in her grandson a love of music. Under her guidance, he began learning to play the piano, later began singing and playing in a school band. Soon, the desire to become a doctor was added to his passion for music. The guy couldn't decide who he wanted to be.
After graduating from high school, Sukhanov decided to enroll in a music school, but the attempt was unsuccessful. Military service loomed clearly on the horizon. To avoid it, Maxim applied to a theater school and easily became a student. During his studies, he fell in love with his future profession so much that he no longer thought about any other field.
Theatrical activities
Immediately after the end of the "Pike", the actor was accepted into the troupe of the theater. Evgenia Vakhtangova. The aspiring artist was noticed by director Vladimir Mirzoev, who later became a mentor, friend and indisputable authority for Sukhanov. He was able to discern Maxim's talent, was not afraid to entrust him with serious roles – and was not mistaken. The performances "Richard III", "Amphitryon", "Don Juan", staged on the stage of the Vakhtangov Theater, immediately attracted the attention of both critics and Moscow theatergoers. They started talking about the young actor in full voice. Universal recognition was not long in coming. The actor received his first Golden Mask and the State Prize for the role of the main character in the production of Cyrano de Bergerac.
In addition to the Vakhtangov Troupe, Maxim Sukhanov collaborated with other theaters – Lenkom, Stanislavsky, Mayakovsky. And it is also very fruitful. The audience remembered his inimitable performance in the plays "Tartuffe" and "The Guy from our city" for a long time. The next awards also proved the skill. For his role in the production of "Khlestakov", presented on the stage of the theater. Stanislavsky, Sukhanov was awarded the second State Prize.
Almost every Sukhanov's work on the stage is a great cultural event. He puts all his strength into it and is ready to rehearse to the point of exhaustion. He himself says that he is a perfectionist in terms of work. But playing on the stage for him is a pleasure that he will not trade for anything.
Filming a movie
The actor's filmography is not so great. Participation in performances does not allow him to appear on the set too often. But there is not a single "accidental" one among Maxim Sukhanov's films. He chooses for filming only those projects that he likes.
In general, Sukhanov played about 60 roles in the cinema, 20 of them are the main ones. His most memorable works were images:
Firi in "I have Honor";
the criminal authority of a Pig in the drama "The Land of the Deaf";
Joseph Stalin in the paintings "Children of Arbat";
Boris Godunov in the film of the same name.
The actor's screen roles are diverse. And every time he manages to transform into his hero with incredible skill.
Sukhanov's talent was appreciated. He was twice offered the titles of Honored and People's Artist of the Russian Federation. For most actors, this is a cherished dream, they have been striving to achieve it for years. But Maxim refused such an honor, and he did it in a very harsh way.
Music, books and other activities
Sukhanov's creative activity is not limited to acting on stage and filming movies. He writes music, sings blues from the stage, which he composes himself, is a mentor of the learning platform "Lessons of Legends", and since 2003 has also been producing films.
Maxim Sukhanov also tries himself in journalism. Together with Boris Berger, he published the book "Ant Injections".
Among other things, the actor voices films and cartoons. He also has several audiobooks on his account – Nabokov, Bulgakov, John Fowles. In his opinion, working as a reader is different from playing in the theater or filming a movie, and this allows you to gain a completely different experience.
The actor's personal life
The actor's personal life is also full of events. He has three marriages under his belt. Maxim Sukhanov met Daria Mikhailova, his first wife, at his native theater. In this marriage, Vasilisa's daughter was born. But soon after her birth, Maxim Sukhanov divorced Mikhailova. The reason for the divorce was GITIS student Lada Maris, whom the actor met at the rehearsals of the play "Salome — the Princess of Judea". The novel broke out in an instant. Lada didn't care that Maxim was married. This did not stop the actor himself, the man left the family.
Sukhanov and Lada Maris lived together for several years. In this relationship, the actor's second daughter Sofia was born.
Now his girls communicate closely with each other. Vasilisa, deciding to follow in her parents' footsteps, graduated from the theater institute. Not so long ago, she gave birth to a boy, Savva, and now Maxim Sukhanov proudly bears the title of grandfather.
The youngest daughter of the actor Sofia chose the profession of a designer.
Maxim Sukhanov managed to maintain good relations with his exes. He himself found happiness in a third union – with journalist Eteri Chalandzia. The girl came to interview the actor. They got to know each other so that they wouldn't break up anymore.
Eteri became not only Maxim's wife and life partner, but also a like-minded person. Together, the couple wrote the script for the film "20 cigarettes". The couple has a son who bears the rare name Buba. In all the photos together, the couple look very happy.
Maxim Sukhanov is now
In the first days after the outbreak of war in 2022, Maxim Sukhanov resigned from the theater. Vakhtangov. Long before that, he began to spend a lot of time in Germany, living in two houses, in two countries. After his dismissal from the theater, he finally moved to Berlin. For some time, fans of his talent were completely unaware of where Maxim Sukhanov is now. The real sensation for them was the news of the upcoming premiere of the play "The Kremlin". Sukhanov plays the main role in Maxim Didenko's production!
The first audience has already watched the play, they are talking about it, they are waiting for it in different countries of the world. Time will tell how successful it will be.
Interesting facts:
Maxim Sukhanov has German roots. His great-great-grandfather came to Russia in the early 19th century and settled in Yaroslavl province. His family had 12 daughters, one of whom became the actor's great-grandmother, the mother of his grandfather Konstantin Buzanov.
The most vivid memory of little Maxim is a trip to the theater to see the play "The Blue Bird". The boy was delighted with the production. Telling his mother that he "wanted to go there," he rushed onto the stage as fast as he could.
For his childishness and spontaneity on the stage, critics nicknamed Maxim Sukhanov the infant terrible (obnoxious child).
Filmography
1986 — "Silent Outpost"
1994 — "Limita"
1998 — "Country of the Deaf"
2004 — "Goddess: how I fell in love"
2004 — "Children of Arbat"
2006 — "Signs of Love"
2011 — "Boris Godunov"
2011 — "Horde"
2013 — "Role"
2016 — "Viking"
2017 — "Myths"
2018 — "Through Black Glass"
2019 — "The Wizard"
2020 — "One Breath"
2020 — "Hypnosis"
2021 — "Topi"
2023 — "Knights"
