The Farewell Tango

Honored Artist of Ukraine. In the theater of Lesia Ukrainka since 1996.

Yuriy Dyak

Yuriy Ivanovych Dyak

Date of birth – July 5, 1987

City – Mogilev-Podilskyi (Ukraine)

Language – Ukrainian

Activity – theater and film actor

Becoming an artist

Yuriy Dyak is a Ukrainian theater and film actor, Honored Artist of Ukraine. The future star of the national stage was born in Vinnytsia region. Before deciding to become an actor, Yuriy singled out several professions for himself, which he was seriously passionate about. Each new hobby absorbed Yuriy completely, because he was a playful and energetic boy from childhood. His mother often said that “golden willows grow behind him”, hinting at his son’s tendency to get into various troubles. The diary of the restless and lively boy in the first grade was filled with red. In the first grade, Yuriy saw that he was interested when his actions made others laugh. Therefore, he decided for himself that he would become a clown. Then, from the fifth to the seventh grade, he dreamed of football. And in the eighth grade, the young man began to study physics intensively, because he decided to be an electrician, like his older brother.

Then one day, at a review of amateur art, Yuri had the opportunity to read a poem. Creativity interested the guy and gradually he realized: he should connect his life with the sphere of culture - to study to be a TV presenter. But he quickly changed his preferences and preferred the acting profession. By the way, this decision was influenced by Bohdan Benyuk, whom Yuriy Dyak met at one of the city concerts. The young man moved to the capital to study. Striving to become a professional in the art industry, Yuriy graduated from the I. K. Karpenko-Kary Kyiv National University of Theater, Cinema and Television. He received the specialty "Actor of Drama Theater and Cinema" (workshop of M. Yu. Rezinkovich).

Yuri's parents did not support the choice of profession. The young man faced not just rejections - it was a real struggle. If the guy had not been so stubborn, he might have given up on his dream. The elders convinced him that there was no point in going to a theater school, because only relatives of actors study there. In response, Yuri firmly declared that his children would also study there. The future artist was convinced that if he had to study at a theater school, he would definitely do it.

His parents still did not believe in his son's abilities. His mother often criticized him. Yuriy recalled how, at amateur evenings, when the boy recited poems, his mother would close her eyes. She explained that she wanted to understand the performance by ear. The boy loved to sing, but his mother and brother believed that he had neither hearing nor voice. Everything changed when Dyak entered Karpenko-Kary University and proved that he had hearing and voice, and quite good ones at that. In his fifth year, Yuriy performed "Cavatina Figaro" at one of the concerts, and his mother could not hold back her tears. Later, she sincerely apologized for her disbelief.

Creative path

The artist's debut at the Lesya Ukrainka Theater took place while he was still a student, in 2006. The performer's original style and bright natural charisma attracted the attention of the audience. New roles, recognition from fans and popularity, cooperation with film directors and producers and the Lesya Ukrainka Theater team did not take long to come. Among the first bright roles in the theater were:

• Clinton Premider ("Nude with a Violin");
• Field Marshal von Kalb ("Cunning and Love");
• Gregory ("Profitable Place");
• Finks ("The Little Things in Life");
• Bobby Franklin ("Taxi Driver Too Married") and others.

There is also a considerable list of films and TV series in which Yuriy Dyak starred:

• "The Return of Mukhtar-8";
• "Female Doctor";
• "Love with a probationary period";
• "A personal matter";
• "The Lot of Fate";
• "Cops Wars. Kyiv";
• "Cossacks. An absolutely false story";
• "Marine Police. Chornomorsk" and many others.

Artist's style and development

Given all his achievements, the actor could be called a darling of fate. However, behind the ease and success that the viewer sees, there is daily, invisible work that requires iron will and discipline. The actor believes that self-improvement should become an iron rule for every person. In the acting profession, success is possible only through hard work, dedication, and significant efforts. Yuriy Dyak is convinced that working half-heartedly is a path to nowhere. The actor admits that he likes to change every day: today he transforms into a Frenchman, tomorrow into an Englishman, and the day after tomorrow into an American. And the greatest reward is the lively interest of the audience in the play and a loud ovation at the finale of the play. In 2024, Yuriy first tried his hand at directing, staging the play "The Wave" based on the work of Tod Strasser on the main stage of the Lesya Ukrainka Theater. In the production, Dyak played the main role of history teacher Ben Ross. The actor's current repertoire at the Lesya Ukrainka Theater:

• "Theirs" (Ugryk);
• "The Wave" (Ben Ross);
• "Treasure Island" (Black Dog);
• "Jacaranda Flower" (Other);
• "Othello" (Cassio);
• "The Too-Married Taxi Driver" (Bobby Franklin).

Social activity

Yuriy Dyak is very emotional and prone to empathy. Therefore, social and community work is a part of his life. Yuriy actively supports charitable initiatives, in particular the Pavlo Vyshnyakov Foundation, which raises funds for tactical medicine - a critically important resource for the defenders of Ukraine. The artist also gives charity performances aimed at supporting various campaigns. Yuriy previously helped the Crab Charity Foundation, which takes care of children with cancer from the National Cancer Institute.

Among Yuriy Dyak's high awards is the honorary title of Honored Artist of Ukraine, awarded to the actor in 2018.