Mikhail Zhvanetsky personal life, wife, children. Zhvanetsky’s wife: “If we were the same age, we would probably run away

Biography

Mikhail Mikhailovich Zhvanetsky (Mikhail Manyevich Zhvanetsky; born March 6, 1934, Odessa, Ukrainian SSR, USSR) - Russian satirist writer and performer of his own literary works. National artist Ukraine (1999). National artist Russian Federation (2012).

Born into the family of doctors Mane (Emmanuel) Moiseevich Zhvanetsky and Raisa Yakovlevna Zhvanetskaya. He grew up in Tomashpol, where his father worked as a surgeon and his mother as a dentist. The family returned to Odessa from evacuation after the liberation of the city in 1944. He graduated from the 118th secondary school for boys.

In 1956 he graduated from OIIMF - Odessa Institute of Engineers navy with a degree in “Mechanical Engineer of Port Lifting and Transport Equipment.” After graduating from OIIMF, he worked in the Odessa port together with Viktor Ilchenko: Mikhail as a crane mechanic, and Viktor as a forklift mechanic.

IN student years participated in amateur performances, where he began to write miniatures and monologues, which he often performed himself. In 1963, during a tour of the Leningrad Theater of Miniatures in Odessa, he met Arkady Raikin, who took his works into the theater’s repertoire, and in 1964 invited him to his theater as head of the literary department.

It's a thing of the past, but I must say that Zhvanetsky was no good. He lacked diplomacy, tolerance, and basic perseverance. - A. Raikin Without makeup. Memories

Together with Zhvanetsky, Raikin staged the “Traffic Light” program in 1969, in which Zhvanetsky’s miniatures “Avas”, “Scarcity”, “Age of Technology” were first performed.

But Zhvanetsky’s literary gift, the sharpness and paradoxical nature of his sense of life, his ability to convey in the text the diversity of modern colloquial speech, his ability to capture the fantastic nature of reality - all this captivated me. It captivated me so much that for some time Zhvanetsky became in our repertoire, so to speak, the premier author - A. Raikin Without makeup. Memories While working at the A.I. Raikin Theater, he creatively collaborated with Roman Kartsev and Viktor Ilchenko, for whom he wrote more than three hundred miniatures and monologues.

Then he performed independently at the Odessa Philharmonic, then at the Moscow Hermitage Theater, where he gained popularity.

The moment came when such a situation seemed offensive to Zhvanetsky. Entering a trolleybus and hearing some remarks own composition, […] he sometimes wanted […] to draw the attention of passengers to the fact that the author is here... - A. Raikin Without makeup. Memoirs He was the artistic director of the Moscow Theater of Miniatures, which he created. In 1991, he made a cameo in an episode of the film “Genius”.

From 2002 to the present, he has been a permanent presenter in the monthly television program “Duty in the Country”, an original format on the Russia 1 channel.

Personal life

First wife Larisa
Actual wife Nadezhda Gaiduk
Daughter Elizabeth
Actual wife Venus
Son Maxim Zhvanetsky
Actual wife (since 1991) Natalya - costume designer
Son Dmitry Zhvanetsky (born 1995)
In total, Mikhail Zhvanetsky has five children - two sons and three daughters.

Address in St. Petersburg

While working in Leningrad, he lived on the street. Fortitude, no. 19.

Performances

"Bird's Flight" (1987)
"Selected" (1988)
"Political Cabaret" (1989)
"My Odessa" (1994)
"Elderly Tomboy" (1999)

Books

"Meetings on the Streets" (1980);
“One Year in Two” (1987);
“My Odessa” (1993);
“Collected works” in 5 volumes (2001, 2006, 2009, Vremya publishing house);
“My Portfolio” (2004, publishing house Makhaon-Ukraine);
“Odessa Dachas” (2007, Vremya publishing house);
“More carefully...” (2008, Vremya publishing house);
“Hits. Audiobook on 2 CDs" (2008, Vremya publishing house);
“Concert No. 2. Audiobook on 2 CDs” (2008, Vremya publishing house);
"Odessa dachas. Audiobook on 2 CDs" (2008, Vremya publishing house);
“Favorites” (2008, 2010, 2011, Eksmo publishing house);
“Don’t continue short” (2010, Vremya publishing house);
“Hot Summer” (2011, Vremya publishing house);
“Southern Summer (Read in the North)” (2014, Eksmo Publishing House).

Awards and memberships

1970 - laureate of the VI All-Union Competition of Variety Artists together with Viktor Ilchenko and Roman Kartsev
1978-1991 - member of the USSR Writers Union
1990 - present time - President of the World Club of Odessa residents
1994 - Knight of the Order of Friendship of Peoples
1994 - non-state laureate Russian Prize"Triumph" for 1993
1994 - laureate of the Arkady Raikin Cup, international festival"MORE SMEHA", Riga
1994 - honorary citizen of the city of Odessa (according to other sources - 1997)
1999 - honorary title “People’s Artist of Ukraine”
2001 - honorary title “Honored Artist of the Russian Federation” 2002 - laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in the field of literature and art 2001
2002 - honorary title “Honored Artist Autonomous Republic Crimea" 2006 - Mikhail Zhvanetsky's program "Duty in the Country" became a laureate of the Russian national television award "TEFI-2006" in the category "Professions" in the nomination " Entertainment: humor"
2009 - Knight of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, IV degree
2009 - By the decision of the session of the Odessa City Council dated April 5, 2009, Arts Boulevard (formerly Komsomolsky Boulevard) in the city of Odessa was renamed Mikhail Zhvanetsky Boulevard in honor of the 75th anniversary of the birth of the satirical writer
2012 - honorary title “People’s Artist of the Russian Federation” Member of the Public Council of the Russian Jewish Congress Some sources claim that Zhvanetsky was one of the last to receive the title “People’s Artist of the USSR” in 1991, along with A. B. Pugacheva, but in “ Gazette of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR" No. 52 for 1991 (the most latest issue) his name is not among the other recipients.

The creative path of Mikhail Zhvanetsky

Mikhail Zhvanetsky on video

Then Mikhail went to work at the Central Design Bureau. After some time, Mikhail Zhvanetsky met Roman Kartsev, and later Arkady Raikin. Raikin took Zhvanetsky's works into the repertoire of his theater. Later, Arkady Isaakovich invited Mikhail Zhvanetsky to work in his theater as a director. Real fame came to the writer after Raikin began to personally perform Mikhail’s miniatures. A little later, under the direction of Arkady Isaakovich Raikin, the theater staged the “Traffic Light” program based on the works of Mikhail Zhvanetsky. The program featured legendary miniatures: “Avas”, “The Age of Technology”, “No Claims About Buttons”.

While working at the Raikin Theater, Zhvanetsky wrote miniatures and monologues for Roman Kartsev and Viktor Ilchenko. Mikhail Manyevich, having found his individual style, I realized that I could work independently. Zhvanetsky left the Arkady Raikin Theater.

In 1970, Mikhail Zhvanetsky, together with Roman Kartsev and Viktor Ilchenko, created the Theater of Miniatures in Odessa. The theater was a success with the audience. At this time, Zhvanetsky worked as a conversational artist. He was invited to the Moscow Theater of Miniatures to the position of assistant to the chief director. For a couple of years, Mikhail Manyevich was a production director at the State Concert and Touring Association “Rosconcert”. Later he was invited to the publishing house “Young Guard” as a literary employee.

In the late 80s, the writer created a miniature theater in Moscow, where he became its artistic director. The theater hosted performances based on such works of the writer as “Bird’s Flight”, “Favorites”, “Political Cabaret”, “Sincerely Yours”, “My Odessa”, “Benefit Performance”, “Elderly Tomboy” and many others.

Mikhail Zhvanetsky is the author of famous miniatures: “I don’t understand what’s happening to people”, “Day, full of life”, “Only pleasant things”, “Physically gifted”, “Everything is fine with me”, “Words, words...”, “Strange boy”, “Cities”, “How old people are treated”, “The power of words”, “In the century technology”, “Dispute”, “Your health?”, “Drinking is harmful.”

Mikhail Zhvanetsky. No brains

Mikhail Zhvanetsky wrote several books and collections (“Meetings on the Street”, “A Year in Two”, “When Heroes are Needed”, “My Odessa”, “Odessa Dachas”), and published 4 volumes “Collected Works”.

Awards

Personal life

Our today's hero does not need any special introduction. After all, this is the famous satirist M. Zhvanetsky, whose biography, personal life and work still arouse genuine interest among hundreds of thousands of people. We will be very happy to share with you information about his person. You will find out where he was born and studied. The satirist's wives and children will also be named. You can start reading.

Childhood, family and education

M. M. Zhvanetsky was born on March 6, 1934 in one of the most beautiful Ukrainian cities - Odessa. Then the family moved to Vinnytsia region. At Zhvanetsky's Jewish roots. Our hero's father and mother were doctors.

When Misha was 7 years old, the war began. His father was sent to Tashkent. There Emmanuel Moiseevich was appointed head physician at the hospital. My wife and son also came to this city. In Tashkent, Misha studied until the 3rd grade. Then the Zhvanetsky family returned to their native Odessa. Our hero has training in high school for boys and the Institute of Marine Engineers. He began composing monologues and miniatures while still a student. What did Misha Zhvanetsky write about then? About women, nature, everyday problems and so on.

Creative activity

In 1960, he met A. Raikin. The head of the Leningrad Theater of Miniatures got acquainted with the works of the Odessa satirist. Some of them were included in the group's repertoire. In 1964, Mikhail came to Leningrad, where he got a job at the A. Raikin Theater. After 6 years he returned to Odessa. Together with V. Ilchenko he created his own theater of miniatures. traveled throughout the USSR on tour.

Zhvanetsky's further career was connected with the Rosconcert organization (as a production director), the Young Guard publishing house (early 1980s) and the Moscow Theater of Miniatures (as an artistic director).

M. M. Zhvanetsky is the author of many monologues, which he wrote specifically for R. Kartsev, S. Yursky, Arkady Raikin and other pop artists. Our hero also published several books and collections, including “Odessa Dachas”, “A Year in Two”, “Hot Summer”.

First marriage

Immediately after graduation, Misha Zhvanetsky married a pretty girl, Larisa Kulik. Young married couple I was forced to live in the same room with my mother-in-law.

The woman reacted sensitively to every whisper and creaking of the bed. Something constantly bothered and outraged her. However, Misha could not even say a word against her. After all, at that time I was practically a beggar. The talented writer disappeared for days at a time in the local port. Soon his life changed. He began to follow Raikin around the cities, offering to familiarize himself with his repertoire. And then one day the master purchased several miniatures from him. Mikhail Mikhailovich drank his first fee (500 rubles) and skipped. After this, Zhvanetsky’s wife filed for divorce.

He loved Larisa very much and always indulged her in everything. For example, he might not come to a rehearsal if his wife asks about it. After the divorce, Misha left his native Odessa for Leningrad. And already ex-wife Zhvanetsky went to the capital of France - Paris. There Larisa took up the affairs of a small gallery, which she inherited from a rich uncle.

Roman on tour

In 1964, Zhvanetsky received the position of head of the literary department at the A. Raikin Theater. Soon the team went on a tour of Siberia. In a distant taiga town, Mikhail Mikhailovich started an affair with a woman who became pregnant and gave birth to his daughter Olga. At first, the satirist refused to recognize the child. But later he began to communicate with an older girl and even invited her to visit him in Moscow.

Beautiful Hope

In 1970, our hero returned to Odessa. Zhvanetsky began collaborating with the local KVN team. There he met his new chosen one. Nadezhda Gaiduk conquered him natural beauty and high intelligence. She was a graduate of the theater and art school, and worked as a costume designer at the club. Misha literally followed her on her heels, showered her with compliments, and wrote down her jokes in a notebook.

A year later, the beauty left for Moscow. But they continued to communicate by correspondence. Serious relationship Mikhail and Nadezhda's relationship began when the satirist returned to Leningrad. The couple lived in two cities - Moscow and St. Petersburg. This suited them quite well. The lovers were in no hurry to go to the registry office. In the 10th year of their relationship, M. Zhvanetsky and N. Gaiduk had a daughter, who was named Elizaveta. However, they did not have a happy family life. Nadezhda learned that Mikhail had a mistress in Leningrad. This became a turning point in their relationship. Nadya registered her daughter with her last name.

On TV through pull

After 4 years, Mikhail went to Moscow to build television career. He wasn't very well liked. But Zhvanetsky managed to find a “loophole”. At that time, the head of the “Around Laughter” program was very attractive woman named Tatyana. In a short time, Misha managed to win her heart. Zhvanetsky moved into her apartment. The new darling helped the native of Odessa “break through” to television.

Tatyana was ready to shout about her love at every corner. And Mikhail was afraid that someone would find out about their affair.

A fleeting romance

At the same time, our hero started an affair with a woman who worked as a nurse for his sick mother. Regina Ryvkina - that was the name of this lady. She was not young, but she loved to walk. One day Zhvanetsky came home heavily drunk. And the mother’s nurse decided to take advantage of the situation by seducing Misha.

Soon Regina informed the satirist about her pregnancy. A real scandal broke out, after which the woman quit and left for the USA. After some time, it became known that her son Andrei was born. Regina reminded herself by obliging Zhvanetsky to pay child support.

Venus

Mikhail’s next chosen one also fled to America. He met a pretty Tatar woman, Venera Umarova, in Moscow. The girl just graduated from a chemical university and got a job as a teacher. The relationship between the oriental beauty and the writer from Odessa developed rapidly. Just a couple of months after they met, they began to live under the same roof.

Zhvanetsky's common-law wife, Venus, constantly persuaded him to emigrate to the USA. But he did not share her desire to leave the USSR. Mikhail and Venus lived together for 10 years and raised their common son, Maxim. And it all ended with the beloved moving to America. She took the child with her.

Fateful acquaintance

Zhvanetsky's current wife is Natalya Surova. She worked as a costume designer, although she was trained as a hydrologist. How did they meet? All details are presented below.

In 1990, in Arcadia, at the dacha owned by Mikhail’s mother, the opening of the Odessa Club took place. Many people were invited to this event. Zhvanetsky’s future common-law wife also ended up there. 24-year-old Natasha Surova worked part-time as a waitress. She served coffee to all the guests. The head of the Odessa Club immediately drew attention to her. How did you guess we're talking about about Mikhail Zhvanetsky. And there is nothing to be surprised about. After all, the girl looked very impressive: a bob haircut, high-heeled shoes, a small black dress and an elegant red coat.

At the end of the event, the satirical writer approached Natasha to get to know her. One of the guests joked: “Look, this is Zhvanetsky and his wife!” Their age difference is 32 years. The experienced man managed to interest the girl from the first minutes of communication.

Natalya did not even imagine the scale of his personal life. At that time there was no Internet access yet. And Mikhail’s inner circle tried not to give away unnecessary information. It must be said that his friends immediately accepted Surova and carefully protected the beauty from various gossip. They're probably just tired of the endless love stories Zhvanetsky. They wanted the satirist to settle down and start a family.

She learned some details from Mikhail’s past from his envious people and ill-wishers. In this situation, Natasha acted like a wise woman - she did not start a showdown and did not ask the writer unnecessary questions.

Zhvanetsky turned out to be a gallant suitor. He presented his beloved with flowers and invited her to restaurants and cinemas. And when their relationship was six months old, Misha bought Natalya an expensive nutria fur coat.

A happy family

After several dates, Zhvanetsky invited his young lady to live together. And she agreed.

The couple was in no hurry to formalize their relationship. In 1995, Zhvanetsky's common-law wife gave him an heir - his son Dmitry. The boy got famous surname father.

When Dima was growing up, he constantly asked why his parents weren’t married. After all, he did not want the people around him to consider him illegitimate. Mikhail Mikhailovich and Natalya constantly found some excuses. But in 2010, they finally went to the registry office. They simply got married without arranging any celebrations. The couple also agreed in advance that Natasha would keep her maiden name.

How is Zhvanetsky’s everyday life going today? He does some of the work at home, lying in bed with a folder of papers. At this time, wife Natalya goes about her business: cooking, cleaning other rooms, and so on. She knows not to disturb her husband at the moment when he is composing another monologue.

The Zhvanetskys have several exercise machines at home. This is Mikhail's hobby. But recently, Natalya also began to join in the training. Misha chooses healthy food - vegetables, steamed fish, lean meat. It is extremely rare that he asks his wife to bake buns or cookies.

Children of Mikhail Zhvanetsky

Do you want to know how the fate of the satirist’s heirs turned out? Now we will tell you about it.

Elizaveta, Zhvanetsky’s daughter from his marriage to Nadezhda Gaiduk, received an acting education. The son Andrei Ryvkin, whom his mistress Regina gave birth to, became a journalist and political commentator.

Maxim lives in the USA. His profession is unknown. And Olga grew up in Siberia. Her mother and stepfather were involved in her upbringing. The girl graduated from high school and received the profession of journalist.

As for the youngest son, then he is the pride of Mikhail Mikhailovich. Dima graduated from a gymnasium located in the elite village of Zhukovka. And two years ago, a guy entered Moscow State University without any connections. Dmitry is studying to become a psychologist.

Of all of them, our hero recognized only Maxim and Olga. But he doesn’t even want to communicate with Andrey and Lisa.

What M. Zhvanetsky says about women

Here are a few aphorisms from the famous satirical writer:

1. A woman is not yesterday's soup. You won't be able to heat it up.
2. Never marry a lady you can live with. Choose the one you can’t live without.
3. Smart thoughts and women never come together.
4. The scandal does not spoil the representatives of the fair sex, but refreshes them. A woman makes a scandal and lives. And you will say to the men: “May you die.” And they do it right away.
5. Women are better than men. They are smarter, more dexterous and more beautiful. And they still manage to live longer.
6. A woman is a creature that constantly needs love. If you don’t know how to love, then sit and be friends.
7. In theaters, at lectures and in concert halls always the majority of women. Where are the men? Some are at football, some are in a mental hospital, and some are hospital bed with a heart attack.

From June to October, Zhvanetsky and his wife spend time in their spacious house located in the city of Odessa.

In 1991, he received the title Also a satirist, he is a holder of the Order of Friendship of Peoples. In 1999 he became People's Artist of Ukraine.

Mikhail Mikhailovich hates hunting. He simply does not understand how people can kill defenseless animals. A fat cat named Maurice lives in the Zhvanetskys’ house. He is lazy and clumsy, but so funny and affectionate.

Our hero is never silent if he doesn’t like something. Friends often invite Mikhail to their premiere performances. For them, he is the main and impartial critic.

In 1991, he starred in an episode of the detective film “Genius” as himself.

Zhvanetsky, together with his wife Natalya, is engaged in growing tomatoes, cucumbers and various greens on their plot. The satirist also wanted to have pigs and chickens, but his beloved wife opposed this.

Mikhail loves lavish feasts and big companies. Guests are always welcome at the Zhvanetskys’ house. For example, Evgeny Grishkovets, Andrey Makarevich, and also with his wife Oksana come to them.

Finally

A talented person, an interesting personality and a loving man. And all this is M. Zhvanetsky. The biography, personal life and work of the satirist were discussed in detail in the article. Let's wish him family happiness, good health, and also inspiration for creating new miniatures and monologues!

His apt statements and aphorisms have long gone among the people. His outlook on life comes through the monologues he reads from the stage. His attitude towards latest events events happening in the country are of interest to millions of television viewers.

Mikhail Zhvanetsky: biography

He will live in Odessa. Born in Moldavanka. His father is still remembered as a good doctor. Mom is also a doctor, but her son did not follow their path. Maybe because the literature teacher at school instilled a love for the Russian language?

One of Mikhail Mikhailovich’s monologues is dedicated to him. Boris Efimovich Drucker was terribly angry with all people who illiterately express their thoughts. But his students, who graduated from serious technical institutes, later became journalists, poets and writers.

Mikhail Zhvanetsky studied at an institute that trains engineers for the navy. After graduating, he worked briefly in the port as a mechanic. This gave the writer a wealth of material for future masterpieces.

At the same time, around 1958, he was engaged in amateur theater, where two performances based on his texts are staged, he meets R. Kartsev and V. Ilchenko. Later the duet of these artists long years will perform his miniatures, and the expressions “and you?”, “the assistant professor is stupid” and other pearls will become Russian folklore.

At the A. Raikin Theater

In 1960, A. Raikin toured in Odessa. Among the theater youth, he singled out Zhvanetsky and his duet. Kartsev and Ilchenko became members of Raikin’s troupe. After some time, Mikhail Zhvanetsky joined them as an actor and head of the literary department (1967-1969).

The Leningrad Variety and Miniature Theater puts on a program of his compositions, which is immediately parsed into quotes. It was then that the famous monologue “In the Greek Hall” appeared.

Working with the venerable satirist, the young author hones his skills, sculpts characters with extreme precision, and adopts Raikin’s intonations. An artist of a different generation emerges from the Raikin school, taking up the baton of satire and humor. The Odessa accent is forever included in his texts.

According to Raikin’s recollections, the lead from Zhvanetsky was useless. To a young writer he had to convince, prohibit - and this is not his element. In fact, this is more administrative work than creative work. So sometimes there was a lack of tact and patience.

The departure was obvious. We parted warmly. Zhvanetsky dedicated a monologue to the teacher, where he confessed his love to him.

In 1970, he began an independent career, creating Odessa Theater miniatures.

Who is the boss in the duet?

Mikhail Zhvanetsky, together with Kartsev and Ilchenko, create about 300 miniatures. The duet is recognized by its replicas, and its popularity grows. Mikhail becomes a conversational artist - that’s what stand-up was called back then. Tape recordings are distributed throughout the country; in Leningrad, Raikin recognizes his work in them.

The small theater begins to tour. The image of a “man with a briefcase” has already been created, who pulls out a pile of handwritten texts from it and reads, addressing the audience. Later he will be immortalized in bronze, but for now - fame without money.

Since 1972, Zhvanetsky moved to the Moscow Theater of Miniatures (in the Hermitage Garden). He works there, then at Rosconcert as a director, later as an employee of the publishing house, and finally as artistic director of his own Moscow Theater of Miniatures.

Since 1979, the duo Kartsev - Ilchenko, who also moved to Moscow, created a kind of “theater within a theater.” This has already happened with the talented duet Mironov - Menaker. Apparently, the theater cannot maintain its pop direction. The following plays are staged: “When we were resting”, “Bravo, satire!”, “Bird’s Flight” based on Zhvanetsky’s scripts.

Family

Zhvanetsky Mikhail Mikhailovich does not like to talk about his personal life. It happened that he was unlucky for a long time family life. Things did not work out with Larisa, whose marriage did not stand the test of her mother-in-law. The young wife asked Mikhail for a divorce. Subsequently, she and her mother left for France.

Afterwards there were three attempts to live as a family with others. But when the maestro reached a respectable age, he met his muse. He has been with Natasha for more than twenty years, his son Mitya has grown up. Studying to become a psychologist. The gift of storytelling came from his father, and his penchant for helping people apparently came from his grandfather and grandmother.

At the opening of the Odessa Club, he saw Her, fell in love and did not let go. He courted me with chivalrous gallantry. The friends froze: has this reveler really settled down? Natasha did not know about her husband’s past for a long time. “He was always with me, he didn’t give me any reason to be jealous,” she explains and admits that if it weren’t for the big age difference (32 years), nothing would have worked out.

Natasha believes that living with talent is a little more fun than with an ordinary person. When there is energy nearby that is inaccessible to anyone else. She considers it a constant drive. She walks quietly around the house while her husband creates (he likes, like Pushkin, to write in bed at the beginning of the day). He is not distracted by his enthusiastic questions about the intelligence of Maurice the cat: “I’m frying cutlets, then I’ll answer.” And in the evening they go to a familiar restaurant where the cuisine is excellent.

Mikhail loves feasts; there are often guests in the house. Then the muse becomes the owner of the salon and socialite. At official events she Wonderful lady. They have been a couple for a long time, and Mikhail Mikhailovich feels comfortable with Natasha.

Country duty officer

Mikhail Zhvanetsky has been on duty around the country for about 15 years. According to reviews of the program, he is respected by the people. His words are called "sip fresh air", and the author himself is a wise man. The transmission time flies quickly, the only annoying thing is that it comes out late.

One viewer remarked very touchingly: “The country will be orphaned without you.” This is true. He, like the All-Russian grandfather, refuses to hold extreme positions, reconciling, smoothing, appealing to humanity.

Young people are protesting against this - they are in the vanguard, they do not need those who smooth out corners. Isn't this a mistake? What will you say in fifty or sixty years, young rebel? What do you tell your grandchildren who want to redo everything, refute it, cancel it?

But we need to say what everyone has known for a long time. About conscience. About tolerance. For forgiveness. No wonder the duty officer keeps his finger on the pulse of the country.

Mikhail Zhvanetsky: aphorisms

We have been repeating words from the master’s texts for a long time, without thinking about where they came from into the people’s treasury. Each miniature contains several aphorisms. How many of them have accumulated over the years! Here are just a few:

• "Careful, guys!"
• “By the time you measure seven times, someone else will already be cutting.”
• “It’s important not to cross the street into the next world.”
• "Only a bad person can offend."
• “If only I had five rubles yesterday!”
• "Yes, I am Apollo!"
• “Should I help you or not interfere?”
• "All covered in cobwebs, all covered in gobies."
• "It's okay, Grigory."

But love for a writer is manifested not only in this.

Confession

Mikhail Zhvanetsky - People's Artist of Ukraine and Russia. A monument was erected to him, a boulevard in Odessa, a small planet and... cognac were named after him. At the cognac factory in hometown released two options: three-star and five-star. Now he has become even closer to the people.

Despite the fact that he has crossed the 80-year-old mark, Mikhail Zhvanetsky is full of creative energy, and you can listen to him at the concert. Don't deny yourself this pleasure.

— We met in November 1990 at the opening of the World Club of Odessa residents. One of the organizers of the event, a good friend of mine, asked me to help - serve tea and coffee to the guests. Mikhail Zhvanetsky was the president of this club. Of course I knew him. I really liked his popular miniature about how to drive up to a market in a tank and ask the price: “Hop, whack?!” Since that evening, we have practically never been apart. Smart men with a sense of humor have always impressed me strong impression. Everything else - appearance, age, position - did not matter. The first years of our acquaintance, everyone except Misha seemed insipid and stupid. (Laughs.) It was only later that I learned to treat people with greater tolerance and not compare them with Zhvanetsky.

— Were you not embarrassed to talk to Mikhail Mikhailovich? After all, a conversation with an intelligent, ironic person is scary.

“Fortunately, I was never afraid or embarrassed, although, of course, at 24 years old, I couldn’t say anything particularly impressive to him, an adult. I don’t think that I shine with intellect now, but still, during my long life together with Misha, I learned a lot from him. Next to him, for example, it is impossible to watch an average film - after all, sometimes you want to lose yourself in some disgusting comedy. He silently boils and begins to itch. (laughs.) I immediately feel embarrassed, and I suggest: “Let’s turn it off? The movie is terrible."

— What is Zhvanetsky like at home?

- Just as cheerful and restless as you see him on the screen. He is interested in everything, he constantly comes up with something, he delves into everything: who came? When? Who is the letter from? where do the bills come from? why did he call? but this one doesn't? new bag? whose production? What kind of wood is this cabinet made of? It would never even have occurred to me to ask so many questions. In terms of the degree of curiosity, he can be compared to a five-year-old child. As soon as Misha sits down in new car, how the opening and closing of all the panels begins, checking the instruments, pressing the levers. Our age difference with him - 32 years - is not felt at all. He is much more mobile than me. We are the last to leave parties when they start turning over chairs and the cleaning lady appears. Misha still jokes sparklingly in a small circle, and I have been dozing next to him for a long time.

— Your main profession is the wife of a genius. Have you ever wanted to work as someone else, at least temporarily?

- No, this is absolutely impossible. Until the child grew up, I was attached to both of them, now that Mitya entered the university, all attention is switched to Misha: he needs my presence constantly. Sometimes he is reluctant to let him go to his friends, but preferably during the day, while he is working alone in a city apartment (at home - we live outside the city - he becomes chilled out: he hangs out with the cat, with me, and tries to talk to us all the time).

But it's a small sacrifice on my part. 22 continuous operation in the position of duty officer according to Zhvanetsky’s wishes is not a burden to me.

— Victoria Tokareva once talked about her affair with Georgiy Danelia and noted that they could never be together, because only a “notepad woman” can get along with the creator - the one who follows on the heels and writes down all the thoughts of a genius...

“Everything is different in our family.” Misha is a very responsible person, he writes everything down himself. He has notebooks—checked school notebooks cut in half—about a hundred! Or maybe more... He doesn’t part with them, the thought came and he wrote it down.

— Is it true that a writer never parts with his famous briefcase throughout his life?

- Yes, this old, frayed, patched briefcase, held on by paper clips, seemed to belong to Misha’s dad. My husband is so used to it that it even seems to me that he considers it a talisman. Takes to all performances. The papers are placed in the briefcase, the briefcase is placed in a large bag. He takes care of it like a musician takes care of a Stradivarius violin.

— I noticed that all of Zhvanetsky’s texts were written the old fashioned way - by hand.

- It's right. My husband doesn't recognize the computer. And he almost never corrects or rewrites texts. He has this manner of crossing out phrases only lightly. And sometimes he reads them, sometimes he doesn’t, depending on the reaction of the audience.

— Are you the first listener of the new text?

- No, Misha doesn’t have one specific “inspector”. All summer we live in Odessa, where he writes lyrics for his concerts. When everything is ready, he gathers his friends, about 30-40 people, in a restaurant equipped on a barge, and reads his new miniatures - so to speak, he runs the program.

- Natasha, where is Mikhail Mikhailovich’s favorite place in your house?

— In the bedroom on the bed. He loves to lie down with a book or watch the news on TV. The second entertainment is to talk to the cat, our huge, fat Maurice. They adore each other, Michal Mikhalych considers him an ideal interlocutor. He is silent when his husband tells him something. But mostly I hear: “Handsome, handsome...” (Laughing.)

— Does your husband solve everyday issues with ease?

- Everyday life is entirely up to me. It happens that Misha interferes in the process and rushes to buy a refrigerator, TV or something else useful. I’m trying to say that I can handle it myself, because he will certainly buy the first thing he comes across, but the most expensive, beautiful and with a bunch of useless bells and whistles. However, he doesn’t hear me and does everything his own way.

- But it’s hard for a woman to bear it!

- He's not always at home. (Laughs.) Traveling, concerts, recording television programs, working on books - all this occupies him much more than everyday issues. He leaves for a couple of days, and my son and I plunge into a calm state. This is impossible with dad: when he is at home, he disturbs everyone.

— Don’t you accompany your husband on tour?

- It’s extremely rare, we practically never part. We hardly go to concerts either: Misha doesn’t like it when my son and I are in the audience. He often talks about our family: I cooked borscht incorrectly, got offended, burst into tears, locked up the cat, punished the child - it’s all about me. I accept such “revelations” normally, but for some reason he feels uncomfortable in my presence.

- Of course! In his “wife’s monologue,” his wife is not very affectionate: “Go be funny, you creature, make him laugh, you bastard, just try not to make him laugh!”

“Not knowing exactly how Misha’s works are created, many people think that he simply tells the truth about the family - it sounds so authentic. Cousin My husband takes everything very seriously. As soon as she listens to Zhvanetsky, she immediately calls him: “Mishenka, how could you write SUCH about your wife?!” Of course, much of his monologues came from life. I recognize myself, our son, and acquaintances... Misha refines what he hears from us - and a new miniature is obtained.

He loves to listen, but banal stories do not interest him, you cannot gossip with him. (Laughs.) One of my Odessa friends adores Michal Mikhalych and, when she visits us, she strives to talk to him. And then he once shared with me: “When I told him how to beat butter, he listened very carefully. And I started saying smart things - I switched off.” Well, from her point of view, they are smart. (Laughs.) Misha is only interested in information from which he can learn something.

— Returning to the “wife’s monologue”... But does the writer Zhvanetsky really need to be stimulated and forced to work?

— Like any person, he sometimes experiences the blues. And then it sounds: “Nothing works out! That’s it, I’m retiring!” I answer: “It won’t work! You have a young wife and child.” Of course, this sounds frivolous, but, on the other hand, we are responsible for those we have tamed. In addition, Misha constantly helps someone financially - friends, relatives, even, sometimes, completely unfamiliar people. Someone's house burned down, someone's breadwinner died - the husband responds to other people's troubles.

- Mikhail Mikhailovich talks about women with such love and knowledge of the matter that you involuntarily begin to envy you - it’s probably very easy to come to an agreement with him, he’s so knowledgeable about female psychology!

— We must give our husband his due: he always clearly explains his behavior and his position. This is an irreplaceable quality in family life. Misha doesn’t allow me to be hysterical and tormented by doubts about how to behave correctly, what to ask him and what not to ask. He says in plain text: “Now I’m in bad mood. This doesn't apply to you." Or: “The child is annoying me right now.” At the dawn of ours with him life together could return home in the morning. I, like any wife, didn’t like it. But he said: “Don’t make me go home in horror. A man should return joyful, then this will happen more often.” Well... I pulled myself together, stopped being nervous, and he began to linger somewhere less and less often.

Scandalizing and shaming a man is a road to nowhere. Previously, when we argued, I would turn around, slam the door and walk out into the night. And when I returned, I heard: “You shouldn’t do that. How can you leave, leaving me without food, in a dirty apartment and with an unironed shirt?” I argued: “You offended me! In your opinion, I should have cleaned up, cooked dinner, done laundry, ironed shirts, washed the floors and then left?” “Yes,” my husband answered in all seriousness.

Misha - very clever man. I began to do as he saw fit. Let's argue - I take a rag, wash the floors, prepare compote, iron my shirt. By the time I finish, I’ve forgotten about the insults. (Laughs.) In general, it’s better to never leave your husbands. You must understand that they may not go looking for you. Besides, it’s stupid to run out of the house wearing only slippers. Leaving go! Take money, passport, child, cat, suitcase. By the time you get ready, you’ll think a hundred times.

My husband and I rarely quarrel; sometimes I quite consciously start: “Oh, you don’t like my borscht?!” He happily takes up the argument: “Yes, absolutely terrible!”

Misha is my teacher. Thanks to his upbringing I became ideal wife. I stopped asking who called, where he went and when he would return. But now for some reason my husband is dissatisfied again: “Why don’t you ask who is calling me and when I’ll be there?!”

“Women also love to delve into the past of their husbands and find out who they loved before them...

— When I was young, I also got into trouble. I wanted to hear: “I have never loved a single woman, you are my first love.” Even if it were a deliberate lie, I would believe it with joy. However, Misha cannot stand lies, so he answered all questions evasively.

I have an obstinate character. I think it was the willingness to leave at any moment that ultimately brought us together. We both didn’t believe in our union for a long time, we believed that everything was temporary - maybe a year, maybe two... When I periodically left, Misha’s friends went looking for me and brought me back... This independence probably melted his wariness.

— What does it mean “Misha’s friends were looking for”, but Mikhail Mikhailovich himself did not consider it necessary to do this?

“He had an interesting position: “If a woman is mine, she will not leave.” This is what many men think... That is, bring her as much as you want, if she endures it, it’s yours. If he can’t stand it, it means he’s not your man.

But Mishino’s circle, all his friends, treated me warmly from our very first meeting. I think they were just tired of his endless string of girlfriends. Still, whatever one may say, a 50-year-old man who changes young girlfriends looks like an idiot. I assume that the wives of his friends also approved of our relationship; they certainly didn’t like Zhvanetsky’s young girlfriends. In a word, literally everyone wanted us to be together. Therefore, they helped us in every possible way not to separate. The first person Zhvanetsky showed me to was Shirvindt. Alexander Anatolyevich immediately said: “You’ll be a fool if you don’t get married.”

“Grown men are terribly afraid that they will be tricked, tricked by young predators...

- Funny! When we started living together, Misha had a one-room apartment in Moscow, an old Mercedes and a dacha in Odessa. Everything else was already purchased with me. It seems that he left a lot to the women he left.

- Natasha, I wonder what Mikhail Mikhailovich thinks about the eternal feminine conviction: a man must always guess what’s on his beloved’s mind?

“And it seemed to me that he should guess my desires.” I could even afford to throw a tantrum about this. For example, let's go on a visit, I have nothing to wear. Misha asks: “Why didn’t you tell me in advance?” - “Don’t you see it yourself?” And - into tears! - “No, I don’t see. I like the way you're dressed. If necessary, tell me."

- Your husband is generous, won’t he refuse?

- Never. It just seemed to me that he himself should buy what I want. But on his own initiative, my husband never gives me anything - why should he rack his brains over what I want? Once in Israel, in the window of a jewelry store, I saw an incredibly beautiful and terribly expensive pearl bracelet. The saleswoman, a stately woman of about sixty who spoke little Russian, asked: “Do you like it?” - “Yes... But it’s so expensive.” “But this is a world-famous brand! Where is your husband? Show it to me." I pointed to Misha walking nearby. She confidently says: “Call me! He will buy it." As soon as I mentioned that I liked the bracelet, my husband paid at that very moment.

Misha taught me to speak openly about my desires and feelings. This is the wisest tactic for family life. Don't want a dialogue? Then walk around offended for at least a year, no one will ever understand what’s going on.

Over the years, I was never bored with him, we did not irritate each other. Of all the close friends, only I had one strong marriage. Although, as I already said, we could not even imagine that our story would last long. When it became clear to both that time is running, and the feelings did not fade, Misha started talking about the child.

- In this case, why not honestly say about your desire to become a mother?

“This is, perhaps, the only case when a woman should wait for a man’s decision.” It’s unfair to get pregnant and present your husband with a fait accompli. Until he himself wanted a child, I didn’t start a conversation about it. I think Misha understood: the time would come, I would want to give birth, and he would have to choose - to stay with me and become a father or to leave. The son appeared because my husband wanted me to stay close.

- And what kind of Mikhail Mikhailovich was the father?

— While Mitya was little, he did not amuse him at all and did not particularly interest him. I don’t remember any touching pictures of a dad fiddling with his son. Mitya often stayed with the nanny while we went on tour. Relatively recently, about four years ago, Misha finally became interested in communicating with our son. When they are together, I try to leave and not disturb. I think they are proud of each other.

— Wikipedia says that Zhvanetsky, in addition to Mitya, has four more children...

- Nobody really knows how much, but it doesn’t matter. I know for sure that there is a son who lives in America. So he was born with Misha’s consent. And the rest were simply presented to him. Once I told Mitya about him American brother. He was very surprised and took this news very seriously and wanted to get to know him. Of course, this will have to be done. It turns out interesting: we, adults, cannot even imagine how important some, from our point of view, formalities are to our children. For example, when Mitya found out that his father and I were not scheduled, he was also shocked.

- Why didn’t you register the relationship?

- Naturally, I wanted to sign. IN to a greater extent for the peace of mind of my parents. They didn’t understand how it was possible to live and not work, moreover, with a much older man, and even unspecified... Although they adore Misha. So, for a couple of years I asked to be taken to the registry office, but Misha did not express much joy or desire. He said that as soon as we sign, problems will begin, that he is afraid of jinxing it... Whether this is true or a man’s tricks, who knows. Well, I spat on all these formalities and stopped thinking about them. And suddenly one day, two years ago, he asked why I didn’t want to sign with him. The devils danced in my head, I had a desire to say: yes! Don't want! But I pulled myself together. (Laughs.) We got married in Odessa, modestly, without witnesses, guests or feast.

— Has something changed in the relationship?

- Misha thinks that I behave differently now. Bold and uncompromising. (Laughs.) And he forgets that I just got older. I am 46 years old, but for him, apparently, I am still young.

— His words: “Loyalty, devotion is a tightly tied tie. Loyalty is an easy sign of lack of intelligence.” I wonder how to live with a man who really thinks so? Or does he write one thing and think another?

“It is likely that we are talking about that all-consuming devotion of women when they look into a man’s mouth and catch every breath. From such devotion they become very and quickly tired. Not to betray your husband, to be a faithful friend to him, but to remain independent - this is what I wish for our women.

- AND last question: what should women do if they are faithful and their husbands are not?

“Misha says this: of course, you can track down your spouse, but you’ll have to decide what to do about it.” If you can’t imagine life without your man, then why do you need to know a lot? For example, I don’t ask about many things - why be upset? (Laughs.)

Mikhail Zhvanetsky

Family: wife - Natalya; son - Dmitry (17 years old), student of the Faculty of Psychology of Moscow State University

Education: graduated from the Odessa Institute of Marine Engineers

Career: During his student years he took part in amateur performances, where he began to write miniatures, which he often performed himself. From 1964 to the early 1970s he worked at the Leningrad Theater of Miniatures together with Arkady Raikin, Viktor Ilchenko and Roman Kartsev, for whom he wrote more than 300 miniatures and monologues. Since 1988 - artistic director the Moscow Theater of Miniatures he created. From 2002 to the present, he has been a permanent presenter of the monthly television program “Duty in the Country” on the Russia channel. People's Artist of Russia