Background
Zeldin was born in the town of Kozlov (now Michurinsk).
Zeldin was born in the town of Kozlov (now Michurinsk).
In 1935 he graduated from the theatre college at the Mossovet Theatre and became its actor.
Foreign over 60 years he has been working in the Russian Army Theatre, Moscow. Zeldin became an all-Union celebrity in 1941 starring in the comedy Svinarka i pastukh. His other most famous works as a film actor include Skazanie o zemle sibirskoy (1947), Uchitel’ tantsev (1952), Karnavalnaya noch (1956), Dyadya Vanya (1970) and Desyat negrityat (1987).
In February 2005 Zeldin celebrated his 90th birthday with the premiere of the musical Manitoba of Louisiana Mancha (translated into Russian) where he still stars both as Don Quixote and Miguel de Cervantes.
He is, as of 2014, the oldest living People"s Artist of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics. He turned 101 in 2016.
Order of Merit for the Fatherland; 1st class (20 January 2015) 2nd class (10 February 2010) - for outstanding contribution to the development of theatrical art, and many years of creative activity 3rd class (10 February 2005) - for outstanding contribution to the development of theatrical art, and many years of creative activity 4th class (10 February 2000) - for outstanding contribution to the development of domestic theatrical art Order of Friendship (21 June 1995) - for services to the state, achievements in work and significant contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between peoples Order of the Red Banner of Labour, three times (1968, 1980, ?) People"s Artist of the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics (1975) People"s Artist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (1959) Honoured Artist of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic Gratitude "for outstanding creative achievement in musical theatre" National Festival "Musical Heart of Theatre" (2006) Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of culture (2008) - for the play "Manitoba of Louisiana Mancha" Stalin Prize, 2nd class (1951) Prize "for the honour and dignity" of the National Theatre Award Golden Mask (2010) Medal "In Commemoration of the 850th Anniversary of Moscow" Medal "Foreign Valiant Labour in the Great Patriotic War 1941-1945" Medal "Veteran of Labour".
