Valentin Iosifovich Gaft (Russian: Валенти́н Ио́сифович Гафт; 2 September 1935 – 12 December 2020) was a Soviet and Russian actor. He was a People's Artist of the RSFSR (1984).[2][3]
Biography
Early life and education
Gaft was born in Moscow to Jewish parents, Iosif Ruvimovich Gaft (1907–1969), a lawyer, and Gita Davydovna Gaft (1908–1993). He had a sister, Rima Iosifovna Gaft-Shtrom (1930–2021). The family moved to Moscow from Poltava, Ukraine[4] or Pryluky, Ukraine.[5] During World War II Iosif Gaft served in the Red Army finishing with the rank of Major.[6]
Gaft took a great interest in theater while in school and took part in the school theater amateur performance.[2] He graduated from the School-Studio at the Moscow Art Theatre (1953–1957). Among the students of the same course were future popular actors Oleg Tabakov and Maya Menglet.
Later he starred in the movies The First Courier (1968), Mad Gold (1977), Centaurs (1979), Black Hen, or Underground Villagers (1981), Fuete (1986). Prominent roles were played by Gaft in the musical comedy The Sorceress (1982), the tragicomedy Through Main Street with an Orchestra (1986), the action film Thieves in Law (1988), The Visit of the Lady (1989), Night Fun (1991), Encore, Once More Encore! (1992).[2]
In addition to theater and cinema, Gaft played many roles on television – the main character in the television series based on Thomas Mann's novel Buddenbrooks, Lopatin in Lopatin's Notes, Jasper in the four-part film Edin Druid's Secret, Kramin in the television movie For the Rest of His Life, Prince Borescu in the television show The Archipelago Lenoir, The Kid in Kings and Cabbage, Butler in the television film Hello, I'm Your Aunt! and others. Teleplays with Gaft's participation included Just a few words in honor of M. de Moliere, Widow's Home, Players, Aesop, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?[2]
Personal life
Gaft was married to the actress Olga Ostroumova from 1996 until his death.[9] He was the author of sharp and popular epigrams against many theatrical and movie figures.[10] In the 2013 film Yolki 3, he read some of his own poetry.[11]
4th class (15 February 2016) – for outstanding contribution to the development of culture and many years of creative activity
2nd class (2 September 2010) – for outstanding contribution to the development of domestic theatrical art and many years of creative activity
3rd class (2 September 2005) – for outstanding contribution to the development of theatrical art, and many years of creative activity
Order of Friendship (11 August 1995) – for services to the state and achievements in work and significant contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between nations