Biography

Nikolai Khmelev (Khmelyov) was a Russian actor of Moscow Art Theatre, known for his role as Belikov in Chelovek v futlyare (1939) by director Isidor Annensky.

He was born Nikolai Pavlovich Khmelev on August 10, 1901, in Sormovo on Volga, central Russia. His father, Pavel Khmelev, was a master-manager at locomotive building plant. His mother was a music teacher. Young Khmelev received a good private education. In 1916 - 1919 he studied at Demidov's Gymnasium in Moscow, then, in 1919 attended Moscow University's department of History and Philology, then transfered to Acting School of Moscow Art Theatre. Khmelev studied acting at the 2nd MKhAT Studio under Yevgeni Vakhtangov, V. Mchedelov, and Yuri Zavadsky.

He took advise from Konstantin Stanislavski and Vladimir Nemirovich-Danchenko, and also learned from other actors of Moscow Art Theatre, such as Michael Chekhov's and Aleksei Dikij's experimental gestures, time control, and make-up. However, during the bitter divide within the Moscow Art Theatre, Khmelev sided with Stanislavski. At age 20 Khmelev made stage appearance as Snegirev in 'Brothers Karamazov', and his acting was personally acclaimed by Konstantin Stanislavski.

From 1924 - 1945 Nikolai Khmelev was a permanent member of the troupe at Moscow Art Theatre (MKhAT). There his stage partners were such renown Russian actors as Alla Tarasova, Ivan Moskvin, Nikolai Sosnin, Anatoli Ktorov, Olga Androvskaya, Angelina Stepanova, Anastasiya Georgievskaya, Kira Golovko, Mikhail Yanshin, Aleksey Gribov, Boris Livanov, Mikhail Kedrov, Viktor Stanitsyn, Vasili Toporkov, Mark Prudkin, Mikhail Bolduman, Pavel Massalsky, and others.

In 1937 Khmelev shone as Count Karenin opposite Alla Tarasova as Anna Karenina in the Moscow Art Theatre's stage adaptation of the eponymous story by Lev Tolstoy. In 1940 Khmelev received much critical acclaim for his performances as Tuzenbakh in 'Tri sestry' (aka.. The Three Sisters), a classic play by Anton Chekhov.

Khmelev's career took an unusual turn when he shone as Aleksei Turbin in 'Dni Turbinykh' (aka.. The days of the Turbins) by Mikhail A. Bulgakov. Khmelev's powerful performances attracted the eyes and ears of the Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Official record show that Khmelev's performances were attended by Stalin at least 15 times. Khmelev's lines from the Bulgakov's play, such as "Brothers and Sisters," as well as his delivery and acting style, were later used by Stalin himself in his official speeches, most notably during the Second World War.

Nikolai Khmelev was designated People's Actor of Russia (1937), and received the State Stalin's Prize three times (1941, 1942, and 1946 posthumously). He was married to actress Lyalya Chyornaya. From 1937 - 1940 he was Director-General at Theatre of Ermolova in Moscow. In 1943 Khmelev was appointed Artistic Director of Moscow Art Theatre.

After the end of WWII in 1945, Moscow Art Theatre, like most Soviet companies, had to update repertoire to glorify the Soviet leadership. At that time Khmelev worked on his role as Ivan the Terrible, and anxiously anticipated a visit by Joseph Stalin. Khmelev had a heart attack during the last rehearsal, and died on stage dressed as Tsar Ivan the Terrible, on November 1, 1945, in Moscow. He was laid to rest in Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow. Russia.