Nersesian, Rachiia Nersesovich

Born Nov. 12 (24), 1895, in Nicomedia (now Izmit), Turkey; died Nov. 6, 1961, in Yerevan. Soviet Armenian actor. People’s Artist of the USSR (1956).

In 1915, Nersesian began acting in Armenian dramatic troupes in Turkey. Beginning in 1923 he was one of the leading actors of the G. Sundukian Armenian Theater in Yerevan. The acceptance in the Armenian theater of characters from Soviet drama is linked with Nersesian’s acting in such roles as Bersenev in Lavrenev’s The Break, Vershinin in Ivanov’s Armored Train 14–69, and Safonov in Simonov’s The Russian People. Nersesian’s portrayal of tragic and satirical roles—including Elizbarov in Shirvanzade’s For Honor, Protasov in Tolstoy’s The Living Corpse, and Bagdasar in Paronian’s Uncle Bagdasar —was distinguished by profound thought and vivid emotions. His performances of Shakespeare became theatrical landmarks—for example, his Macbeth, Othello, and Falstaff (The Merry Wives of Windsor). From 1920, Nersesian acted in films; his roles included Rustam in Namus (1925), the title role in Pepo (1935), and Akopian in Zangezur (1938; State Prize of the USSR, 1941). He was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Badge of Honor, and various medals.