Gribov, Aleksei Nikolaevich

Born Jan. 18 (31), 1902, in Moscow. Soviet Russian actor. People’s Artist of the USSR (1948) and Hero of Socialist Labor (1972). Member of the CPSU since 1944.

Gribov was born into a worker’s family. He began his artistic work in the Third Studio of the Moscow Art Theater, becoming an actor there in 1924. His art is distinguished by its authenticity, clear stage expressiveness, and sense of national character. In most of his roles he embodied the best features of the Russian national character—cordiality, humor, and wisdom. His roles include Frol Baev in Virta’s Land, Levshin in Gorky’s The Enemies, Globa in Simonov’s The Russian People, the sailor Solovtsov in Kron’s Officer of the Fleet, the Second Peasant in L. N. Tolstoy’s The Fruits of Enlightenment, Nepriakhin in Leonov’s The Golden Carriage, Chebutykin, Epikhodov, and Firs in Chekov’s Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard, and Dostigaev and Luka in Gorky’s Dostigaev and Others and The Lower Depths. His performances of Sobakevich in Dead Souls (after Gogol) and Foma in The Village of Stepanchikovo . . . (after Dostoev-sky) are distinguished by sharp characterization and satirical overtones. He played V. I. Lenin in Pogodin’s The Kremlin Chimes.

Gribov is also known as a movie actor. His best film roles include the father in The Wedding (based on Chekhov), Vo-ronov in Bold People, and Nekhoda in True Friends. A recipient of the State Prize of the USSR (1942, 1946, 1951, and 1952), he has been awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, and various medals.