Yevgeny Leonov

Yevgeny Pavlovich Leonov (; 2 September 1926 – 29 January 1994) was a Soviet and Russian actor. He was in many of the most famous Soviet movies. These include "Gentlemen of Fortune", "Mimino" and "Striped Trip". He has been called "one of Russia's best-loved actors". He also voiced many Soviet cartoon characters. This includes "Vinny Pukh" ("Winnie-the-Pooh").
Early life.
While growing up in Moscow, he wanted to be a pilot. His father worked in an airplane factory. During the Great Patriotic War, he and his whole family worked in a weapons making/airplane making factory. After the war, he joined the Moscow Art Theatre school. There he studied under Mikhail Yanshin.
Career.
In his first movie, Leonov was cast as an extra. He later became Georgiy Daneliya's regular. He was in all of Daneliya's features. These include "Gentlemen of Fortune", "Autumn Marathon", "Mimino", "Afonya" and "Kin-dza-dza!". He was seen for his tragic parts and his natural acting.
He won Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival for Daneliya's "Autumn Marathon" (1980). He performed over 200 roles and was the Russian cinema's best-known supporting actor.
In 1991 (or in 1988), when touring in Germany, he had a heart attack. This put him into a coma for 10 days (or 16 days). His life was saved only after a big surgery.
Leonov died on 29 January 1994 on his way to the Lenkom Theatre to perform in "The Prayer for the Dead" ("A Memorial Prayer"). His death was announced in the auditorium. Following the announcement, the audience went to the church across the road and lit candles in mourning. Over half a million people went to his memorial service in the freezing cold of winter. He is buried in Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow near other major people of Russian culture.