Alexey Gorbunov
Alexey Sergeevich Gorbunov
Date of birth – October 29, 1961
City – Kyiv (Ukraine)
Activity – theater and film actor, musician
Becoming an artist
Oleksiy Gorbunov is a Ukrainian theater and film actor, musician, People's Artist of Ukraine. The future star of the screen and stage grew up in the family of a Siberian (his father was an engineer) and a Luhansk woman. He spent his childhood in the capital's Rusanivka. The Gorbunov family had three children, and Oleksiy was the middle child. From early childhood, the boy was active, fond of football and often chased the ball with his friends. A special event for the young man was a visit to the Dynamo stadium in Kyiv, where he enthusiastically watched the game of his favorite athletes.
However, it was not only sports that attracted Alexey. The young man was also interested in the world of acting. And that is why he decided to connect his future with the art industry. However, his father categorically did not approve of such a choice: he did not see the profession of an actor as a guarantee of stability. Despite this, the young man did not give up on his dream and still submitted documents to the Kiev Karpenko-Kary Theater Institute. However, he failed to enter the institution on the first attempt.
Not wanting to choose another specialty, Alexey decided to devote a year to working at the Lesya Ukrainka Theater. The guy got a job as a fitter and assistant worker in the costume shop. It was, without exaggeration, a fateful decision. After all, it was here that Gorbunov was noticed by the legendary actress Ada Rogovtseva. The outstanding actress introduced the young man to her husband, Konstantin Stepankov. Konstantin Petrovich, by a happy coincidence, taught at the same educational institution where Alexey aspired to enter. The master immediately saw an extraordinary talent in the guy and decided to accept him on his course. Intuition did not let Stepankov down - Alexey Gorbunov, thanks to his bright talent, craving for creativity and natural charisma, became one of the most successful students. In 1984, the young artist successfully completed his studies, taking the first step towards a great career.
Creative path
Alexey Gorbunov got his first role in the movie “Cargo without Marking”. He started filming on the day he received his diploma. In 1984–1995, he worked as an actor at the film actor’s theater-studio at the Oleksandr Dovzhenko film studio. He played in such multi-part films as “Makar the Pathfinder”, “Petrov and Vasechkin’s Vacation, Ordinary and Incredible”. After returning from military service, Alexey went on a short professional break.
In the 1990s, due to the crisis in the film industry, there were almost no roles, so the actor earned a living as a private taxi driver. Director Vladimir Popkov helped him return to the cinema by inviting him to play the role of the jester Shiko in the multi-part television film "The Countess de Monsoro". This was one of the main roles that brought the actor wide recognition and popularity among the audience. The second significant work for Gorbunov was the role of German counterintelligence officer Karl Goering in the film "The Red Chapel". The actor also appears in video clips for hits by Ukrainian bands Stolnyi Grad (track "Take Me") and Antitila (song "Alone").
Among the dozens of films in which Alexey Gorbunov starred are the following:
- "Approaching the future";
- "New Adventures of a Yankee in King Arthur's Court";
- "One Night";
- "Two Steps to Silence";
- "Hunger-33";
- "A crime with many unknowns";
- "Vow";
- "Don't Even Think 2: Shadow of Independence";
- "Shadow Hunting";
- "Private order";
- "The one who puts out the light";
- "Love and separation";
- "Sherlock Holmes - Professor Moriarty";
- "Bet on Love" and others.
The palette of genres is drama, crime, detective. Western producers also showed interest in the actor's talent. In 2019, Gorbunov received the role of Colonel Karpov in the popular French television series "Bureau of Legends". And two years later he took part in the filming of an action movie with the legendary Jean-Claude Van Damme. Among the performances of the Lesya Ukrainka Theater, where Oleksiy Gorbunov played the roles, are "Kitchen", "Players", "Cyrano", "Parasites", Shlem.com, "Stone Guest" and others.
Singer's role
Music occupies a significant place in Alexey Gorbunov's work. Alexey is the leader of the group "Pilot's Sadness". The members of the group work together on original compositions, organize creative evenings and concerts in the format of apartment dwellers. During such meetings, Alexey often performs songs by Vladimir Vysotsky. The artist emphasizes that he is not trying to copy the legend's style, but rather shows sincere respect for the star's legacy. Alexey Gorbunov also realized himself as the organizer and host of the capital's discos "Dzhankoy" and "Jumanji". He worked as a DJ at the radio stations "Continent" and "Nostalzhi" in Kyiv.
Social activity
On December 3, 2014, with the beginning of Russian aggression in Ukraine, Alexey Gorbunov refused to star in Russian films. From the first days of the protests, the artist actively supported the Ukrainian Euromaidan. The artist also played the main role in the Ukrainian series “Guard”, which tells about the participants of the ATO who took part in the fighting in Donbas. In 2021, together with his musical group, he presented a mini-performance-concert for servicemen of the 95th separate airborne assault brigade, their relatives, as well as cadets of the Zhytomyr Military Institute named after S. P. Korolev.
Awards and honors
Alexey Gorbunov's contribution to the development of culture and art was recognized with several prestigious awards and titles:
- Golden Eagle Award for Best Actor in the film "12" (2008);
- Teletriumph Award in the nomination "Actor of a television film / series (male performer)" (2011);
- People's Artist of Ukraine (2016).
