In fact, Utesova, originally, had a completely different surname. However, he was not invited by Leonid either. The fact is that his biography tells us that this man was from a Jewish family. Therefore, Leonid was called the biblical name Lazarus. And the real name of Utesov is Weisbein. The biography of this insanely talented person began in a sunny, so special, unlike other cities, Odessa. It was in this city that many famous people started or continued their work. It is there that people sing, mobile, kind and cheerful. Here in this place came the Cliff. And it happened on March 9, 1895. His parents were Osip Kalmanovich and Malka Moiseevna.
It is worth noting that Utesov did not think about the theater at all since the young years. Moreover, he was not interested in the boy at all. Growing up on the sea coast, Leonid dreamed of becoming a sailor. But, the older he became, the more he thought about art. The guy even tried to study in the commercial school of Feig, but nothing came of it, because he did not have time in subjects, and behaved far from being exemplary. Leonid is an example of the person who had such a great talent that he, in fact, did not need teachers. He independently learned to play and sing, dreamed of becoming a conductor. But Leonid never developed with discipline. The fact that he was a very temperamental guy, rarely able to restrain their emotions.
But this never stopped him from doing his favorite thing. From the age of fourteen the young man began to play in different orchestras. In addition, he was also a street musician. The guy was very good at handling the violin and guitar. Also, he had other talents. Thanks to them, he got into a circus, where he walked on rings and trapezoids. Then he was able to get a job in the theater. The boy went to the whole Ukraine together with the troupes and booths. By the way, exactly when he began to perform on stage, the actor Skavronsky, along with whom he played sketches, advised the guy to choose a pseudonym. Leonid thought for a long time about what would come up, what else was not and what people will remember. He was sitting on the seashore, looking at the cliffs and then he was illuminated. That's how Leonid became Utesov.
And in 1917 Leonid's career began as a film actor. The first films were shot in Odessa. These were the pictures "Lieutenant Schmidt - Freedom Fighter" and "Trade House" Antanta and Co. " After a successful debut, Utesov went to Leningrad to star in the film "Career Spirky Spandyr", which was released on wide screens in 1926. Leonid perfectly succeeded in realizing the role of a fraudster, who could steal anything, anything and anywhere. He played in the same way that only Odessa citizens can play. In his character was and brightness, and flamboyance, and charm. He immediately won the hearts of the public and became a people's favorite.
Already in the next picture "Alien", it became clear that Utesov can be a wonderful dramatic hero. There he portrayed a Red Army soldier, who came to blame for killing a woman. Cliffs was able to reveal the whole personal tragedy of his character. He discovered his inner world, his problems in relationships and communication with people, with his daughter, with everyone who surrounds and influences him. This role finally confirmed the view that Utesov is a unique talented person, a true nugget, who is able to play a wide variety of roles, and so that all critics and skeptics will believe him.
By the way, it should be noted that Utesov did not have a very strong voice. In addition, he still spoiled the Odessa accent. But that's what people liked. Because, thanks to this, Utesov and his characters became very, very close to the people. And in those years, Soviet art was aimed precisely at bringing as much as possible to the people and influencing it. That's why the film "Jolly Fellows" became so popular and received awards. By the way, Utesov did not particularly like his hero, and he did not like the song either. It was he who asked to write something that would correspond to his hero Kostya. This is how the well-known composition "March of merry guys" appeared. But only Utesov himself did not receive a single award for the role, he was given the most ordinary camera. But it was he who insisted on replacing bad texts, helping in directing, looking for composers and poets. In fact, this film would never have become so, if Utesov had not made such a huge contribution to its creation. Therefore, Leonid was very worried because of all the prizes received by the director Alexandrov and Olga Orlova.
But, nevertheless, no matter what awards are given, Utesov still always remained a popular favorite, and his work was adored by everyone. And all this thanks to his enchantment and talents. He was an actor, a singer, a director, and also a conductor, an organizer, wonderfully recited and told various stories. Probably, that's why people were so impressed with the performance, which put Utesov. In it, he played excerpts from Dostoevsky, and sang, and danced, and performed on trapezoids. In this performance, Leonid showed absolutely all his talents.
Utyosov was very cheerful, cheerful and benevolent person. His life was really happy. Leonidas had a beautiful wife, Elena. And though she passed away almost twenty-five years earlier than Utesov, all the years that they lived together were joyful and happy. Also, Utyosov had a beloved daughter, whom he idolized.
Leonid left the stage in 1966. After that, he took up photography, wrote memoirs and communicated with friends, whom he had many. Leonid Utesov died on his birthday, in 1982. Thousands and thousands of people said goodbye to him.