Kind attractive smile, open look, incredible charm. Leonid Kuravlev could not calmly walk down the street – he was instantly recognized, surrounded, asked for an autograph, they wanted to at least touch their idol. He was not only popular, he was one of the most beloved. And not only because he starred in films that are significant for domestic cinema, but words, phrases from these films have become aphorisms.
Myself Leonid Kuravlev He was very kind and it was felt by the audience, no matter what role he played. In the film “The Beginning” by Panfilov, Arkady should hardly arouse sympathy. Plumber Afonya in the film by George Danelia was not at all conceived as a goodie. Therefore, film officials had complaints about the plot. Afonya actively drinks, does not disdain frauds with imported plumbing, in general, a lazy and absolutely irresponsible type. Especially towards women. But Kuravlev played in such a way that the audience and even its female part forgave him everything. And Athos became a favorite folk hero.
Kuravlev was very fond of Vasily Shukshin. The village boy Pavlik is only superficially simple and funny, but in a difficult moment he accomplishes a feat. This is a hero of the people, with all the inherent qualities. If Pasha Kolokolnikov had been older and gone to the front, it would have been Vasily Terkin. Shukshin wanted to shoot Kuravlyov in his other film, Stoves and Benches, but it didn’t work out. Leonid Kuravlev worked with the famous domestic directors themselves and every time even a small role became a masterpiece. Like, for example, the priest in the film “Seven Brides of Corporal Zbruev.”
Directors recall how easy it was to work with Kuravlyov. No star disease, delicacy and diligence. Sergei Ovcharov directed Kuravlyov in two of his films “Lefty” and “It”. In Lefty, the artist played Emperor Alexander the First, then they just tried it – they made up under Nikolai Pavlovich, and again the exact hit in the image, absolute organic. Ovtcharov believes that actor became a hostage to one image of a simple guy from the people, but he could play anyone. So, with all the abundance of films, it was not really in demand.
Already with the onset of the 1990s, People’s Artist Kuravlev began to play less and less in films, he did not like scripts. But he participated in concerts, met with his audience. He was immensely respected, he did not participate in bohemian holidays, and all his life he was faithful to one wife, whom he met in his youth at the rink. Recently, Kuravlev was seriously ill, the whole country followed his health. The miracle didn’t happen.