Biography

Sergei Nikonenko is a popular Russian actor and director, known for his portrayal of Russian historic characters in film and on stage, such as poet Sergei Esenin and commander Chapaev.

He was born Sergei Petrovich Nikonenko on April 16, 1941, in Moscow, Russia. His father, Petr Nikanorovich, and his mother, Nina Mikhailovna, were workers at a Moscow industry. As a child, Sergei Nikonenko survived the Nazi occupation of Russia during the Second World War.

Young Nikonenko was fond of Russian literature, his favorites were Lev Tolstoy, Alexander Pushkin, Anton Chekhov, Sergei Esenin, and 'Vladimir Mayakovsky'. Form the age of 12, he attended the drama club at the Moscow Palace of Pioneers. From 1959 - 1964 he studied acting at the Soviet State Institute of Cinema (VGIK), graduating in 1964 as an actor. At that time Nikonenko established himself as an actor who represented his generation, having such friends and classmates as Vasiliy Shukshin, Lidiya Fedoseeva-Shukshina, Evgeniy Zharikov, Zhanna Bolotova, Nikolay Gubenko, and Galina Polskikh among other notable actors. From 1968 - 1972 he studied film directing under Sergey Gerasimov, graduating from VGIK in 1972 as a film director.

Nikonenko shot to fame in Russia with the leading role as poet Sergei Esenin in the popular film Poj pesnyu, poet (1973) by directors Sergey Urusevskiy and Gennady Shpalikov. In the 1990s, Sergei Nikonenko established Sergei Esenin's memorial museum in Moscow. He has been the keeper of the collection and organizer of regular events and tours dedicated to poetry of Sergei Esenin. During the 2000s Nikonenko raised funds and completed restoration of the historic church in Konstantinovo, the birthplace of poet Esenin.

Over the course of his career, Sergei Nikonenko played over two hundred roles in film and on stage. His most recent stage performances included his portrayal of Chapaev in the popular play 'Chapaev i pustota' (aka.. Chapaev and emptiness'). He was also co-starring with Aleksandr Abdulov and Irina Alfyorova in the acclaimed play 'Vse prohodit (aka.. 'All things shall pass'). Nikonenko received numerous decorations for his contribution to the arts, such as the State Order of Honor (1971), and the Medal of Aleksandr Dovzhenko (1987); he was awarded the State Komsomol Prize (1974), and received the title of Honorable Actor of Russia (1991).

Outside of his acting profession, Sergei Nikonenko has been a supporter of museums, a collector of rare books, and a passionate billiard player with his friend, actor Aleksandr Abdulov as a regular billiard partner. Nikonenko is also an art connoisseur and collector of Russian art. He is fond of oil painting, and specializes in painting landscapes and portraits, having his wife as his most favorite model. Sergei Nikonenko has been married to actress Ekaterina Voronina, and the couple has one son. The Nikonenkos are residing in their country home in Novoperedelkino, a suburb of Moscow, Russia.