Sergey Martinson

Sergey Alexandrovich Martinson (7 February, 1899 - 2 September 1984) was a Russian eccentric comic actor, the master of pantomime, buffoonery and grotesque. He became People's Artist of the RSFSR in 1964. Sergey Alexandrovich Martinson was born in Saint Petersburg in the family of a nobleman of Swedish descent. His parents adored theater and took their son to many performances. As a schoolboy, Sergey played in a theatrical studio. After one year of education in the Technological institute, he decided to become a professional actor. At the entrance exams he read Boris Godunov's monologue from Pushkin's play. The exam board roared with laughter, but refused to accept him. He later joined the theatrical institute from a second attempt. Martinson worked in several theaters. In 1924-1941 he played in the Theatre of the Revolution. In 1925-1926, 1929-1933, 1937-1938 he was the leading actor of Vsevolod Meyerhold's theatre. He was cast by Meyerhold in the plays The Government Inspector, Man