Mark Zakharov was born on October 13, 1933 in Moscow, Soviet Union. His father was a Red Army soldier during the Russian Civil War of 1918–1920, and his mother was an actress. Zakharov was raised in Moscow, where he was encouraged by his mother in his persistent efforts to become an actor.
He was admitted after several attempts, and graduated from the acting school of the State Theatre Institute in 1955.
He was also a professor of the Moscow Theatre Institute (Russian University of Theatre Arts). Mark Zakharov has been the Artistic Director of Moscow"s Lenkom Theatre since 1973, where he has helped to define the landscape of Moscow"s theatrical culture. Zakharov helped create an ensemble of actors who worked with him at Lenkom, including: Yevgeny Leonov, Inna Churikova, Leonid Bronevoy, Oleg Yankovsky, Aleksandr Abdulov, Nikolai Karachentsov, Tatyana Pelttser, Aleksandr Zbruyev, Aleksandra Zakharova, Tatyana Kravchenko, Aleksandr Lazarev, and Dmitri Pevtsov.
His name appeared on a petition opposing Russian accession of Crimea, however, he himself denied ever signing lieutenant
He stated in an interview that he opposed Russian soldiers being deployed to Ukraine as it reminds him the start of the Afghanistan conflict, however, he also can"t imagine Russia without Crimea. He also stated that had he been offered to sign a letter supporting the accession, he would"ve signed lieutenant
Juno and Avos, a rock opera.
Order of Friendship of Peoples Order of Merit for the Fatherland; 1st class (13 October 2008) – for outstanding contribution to the development of domestic theatrical art and many years of creative activity 2nd class (11 October 2003) – for outstanding contribution to the development of theatrical arts 3rd class (26 April 1997) – for services to the state and the great personal contribution to the development of theatrical art 4th class (13 September 2013) Honoured Artist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (1977) People"s Artist of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (1991) Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics State Prize (1987) – for the production of plays in the Lenkom Theatre Russian Federation State Prize (1992, 1997, 2002) National Award "Musical Heart of Theatre" (2007) – Winner of the Grand Award for outstanding creative achievement in the field of musical theatre Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts International Stanislavsky Theatre Award (2010) – "for his contribution to the development of Russian theatre" The minor planet 5359 Markzakharov was named in his honour.
Cinematographers’ Union of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics]
Honorary Member of the Russian Academy of Arts.
