“Russian, which means bad by definition”: Alexander Baluev explained why he stopped acting in Hollywood

Domestic viewers paid attention to Alexander Baluev seriously in 2003. It was then that Stanislav Govorukhin’s film “Bless the Woman” was released, which was a great success. Baluev had to wait more than 20 years for a moment of glory in cinema. Before becoming popular, the artist even played in several films across the ocean. On December 6, Alexander Nikolayevich celebrates his 64th birthday.

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“We began to treat our country differently”

Baluev is a Muscovite, a graduate of the Moscow Art Theater School. He began his stage career at the Theater of the Soviet Army. He had to break into the cinema from the smallest episodes.

For the first time in the frame, Alexander appeared in 1981 – in the famous detective cycle “The investigation was conducted by Experts.” The actor was not even listed in the credits at the time.

They started talking regarding Baluev only in 1995. The artist received two professional awards for a supporting role in Vladimir Khotinenko’s drama “Muslim”. Soon following that, Alexander began to receive offers to star in foreign films.

Alexander Baluev in the film “Muslim”

Alas, the characters the artist got were very similar. Mafiosi in the French-Russian film “Line of Life”. The military in the American “Peacemaker”, “Clash with the Abyss”, “Proof of Life”.

Alexander-Baluev in the film
Alexander-Baluev in the film “Proof of Life”

In the 2000s, Alexander Nikolayevich stopped filming in Hollywood. The point is not only and not so much that there is more work at home. Once the actor confessed to the publication “Izvestia”:

“We began to treat our country differently, we thought regarding what kind of face we have. Rogues can be played here too. When in film production they began to focus on the fact that you are Russian, which means that you are bad by definition, I stopped agreeing to these roles.

“Subjected – I also like to drink”

In his infrequent interviews, Baluev is very straightforward. Able to stand up for a woman – the same Alexandra Zakharova, who found herself in a difficult situation at Lenkom following the death of her father. The actor does not try to create his own ideal image in the eyes of fans.

Alexandra Zakharova

“I myself am susceptible – I also like to drink. But, of course, driving in such a state is unacceptable. Sasha doesn’t drink at all. This is some kind of nonsense. I have known her for a long time, ”Baluev spoke following a rumor spread in the media regarding Zakharova’s commitment to strong drinks.

The already closed Baluev especially seeks to bypass the topic of his personal life. He is the father of an adult daughter. 19-year-old Anna-Maria settled in Poland with her mother – Alexander’s ex-wife, journalist of Polish origin Maria Urbanovskaya.

Maria and Alexander lived in an actual marriage for ten years, and another ten in a registered one. “She at some point stopped tolerating my popularity, my fans, my work. I wanted to be at home all the time. And she filed for divorce, ”says Baluev regarding his ex-wife.

There was a period when the media and fans began to wonder if Alexander had a special relationship with his make-up artist Olga Matveychuk. She is the mother of the famous singer and composer Gleb Matveychuk. Apparently, one hundred percent evidence that the actor is more than a family friend might not be obtained.

Alexander Baluev and Olga Matveychuk

Gleb and Alexander founded a joint theater company to create private performances. The singer is sure

“My real friend is Alexander Baluev. This is a person who will tell you in any situation, help you. You can always rely on him in every way.”

“Hey grandpa, let’s move over!”

Alexander Nikolaevich is not one of those who are young. He honestly admits that he feels his age. Baluev is even merciless to himself.

“A new generation comes and tells you: “Hey, grandfather, let’s move over!” 30 years ago, I didn’t feel it, because I myself, probably, was this one pushing some grandfathers. But today I feel it all on myself. No one gets better with age – this is idiocy. I would like to believe that it has become no worse, ”the artist is frank.

However, the viewer is still waiting for films with the participation of Baluev. There are more than a hundred works in his filmography. In 2020, the film detective Hotel was released. In it, Alexander not only plays one of the roles. He is also the director and screenwriter of the film.

Alexander Baluev in the film
Alexander Baluev in the film “Hotel”

In 2023, viewers should see their favorite artist in the space drama Challenge, which made quite a splash long before the premiere. In addition, it is planned to complete work on another detective story – “The Lady with the Dog”. In it, Baluev plays one of the main roles – retired judge Igor Kholodov.

Source: “News”

Photo source: frame from the film, Legion-media, Larisa Kudryavtseva

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