Andrey Krasko

Andrei Ivanovich Krasko was born on August 10, 1957 in Leningrad, USSR (now St. Petersburg, Russia). His father was notable Russian actor Ivan Krasko, his mother was Kira Petrova, a schoolteacher. From 1974-1979, he studied acting at the Leningrad Institute of Theatre, Music, and Cinematography, graduating as actor in 1979. That same year, he made his film debut in 'Lichnoe Svidanie', then played bit parts in several Soviet films. Andrei Krasko was married twice and had two children. His first marriage to a fellow student actress ended in separation after six months. Soon he was treated at a psychiatric clinic, then he was fired from a theatre company. Then, for several years, Krasko worked various jobs, such as a cemetery worker, a repairman, a car mechanic, a tailor, as he was struggling to survive and had to change many professions. He was in an 8-year hiatus before he made a comeback as a film star. Krasko shot to fame after starring in several popular television series, such as Banditskiy Peterburg: Baron (2000), 'Agent natsionalnoi bezopasnosti', and other television hits. On the big screen, he co-starred with Vladimir Mashkov and Mariya Mironova in Tycoon: A New Russian (2002), then with Sergey Makovetskiy and Marat Basharov in 72 Meters (2004). He played supporting roles in such war dramas as 9th Company (2005), 'Svolochi' Turetskiy gambit (2005). His last work in film was a supporting role as Felix Korogodsky, a Russian tycoon in the popular comedy Lyubov-Morkov (2007). Andrei Krasko eventually became a popular and reputable Russian actor. During the 2000s, his acting career was ascending. He played more than 40 roles in film and on television. Krasko also gave memorable performances on stage at St. Petersburg Theatre "Priyut Komedianta", where his show "Moskva - Petushki" was consistently sold out for two seasons. He won great respect for his acting talent as well as for his diligent effort in overcoming his personal issues and his problems with alcohol. Andrei Krasko died of a heart failure at age 48 on July 5, 2006 in Odessa, Ukraine, and was laid to rest in Komarovo cemetery in St. Peterburg, Russia.