The famous “Antibiotic” from “Gangster Petersburg” could have turned 90 years old on December 8th. The fate of an actor is a strange thing. Both success and failure can befall a person at any age. Yes, most often actors shine brightly in their youth, and then either continue to grow or spend their entire lives reaching for their first success. Lev Borisov He received his main role, the one for which he is immediately remembered, at the very end of his life. He played the leader of a criminal group, an insidious and merciless thief in law nicknamed Antibiotic in the famous TV series “Gangster Petersburg.” But by that time many were saying about him that he had ruined his career…
Maybe football?
In the life of Lev Ivanovich there was a person who largely predetermined his fate and place in history. This is his older brother Oleg Borisov – one of the best actors in the country, who has played dozens of leading roles in film and theater. Postcards with his image were bought by fans all over the Union, and his photo appeared in magazines about cinema and art. A guy from a simple family from the Ivanovo region, in 1947 Oleg went to Moscow to study as an actor, then moved to Kyiv and spent his entire life conquering one peak after another.
The parents of Oleg and Lev were creative people, they played in amateur performances, but they never even dreamed that both of their sons would become actors.
“Oleg Ivanovich, may he rest in heaven, suddenly “became an artist.” Well, I, the youngest, follow in his footsteps,” recalled Lev Borisov.
Then they will talk about rivalry between brothers. But they “played in different leagues,” so there could be no serious competition. Moreover, when Lev came to Kyiv to visit Oleg, the older brother was very surprised and even dissuaded the younger brother – they say, why do you need this, where are you going? He even said: “One artist in the family is enough for us.” And he advised me to take up football.
Borisov Jr. did not say that he was offended. But he clearly decided to prove his brother wrong. I went to Moscow, entered the Shchukin School, and with distinction. Seasoned teachers, who looked at hundreds of young talents, took him from the first round straight to the third. And having received his education, Lev Ivanovich got a job at the Theater-Studio of a Film Actor.
“Roaming around the country”
It cannot be said that Borisov Jr.’s career did not work out. No! He played in films, and he was invited quite often. His first film was released in 1954 – “Matriculation Certificate” with a young Vasily Lanov starring. Borisov mainly played in episodes, but at that time this was very prestigious. He changed theaters, but was visible everywhere. And then… Then the dark streak began. As Lev Ivanovich himself said, “family troubles.”
Borisov divorced his first wife, leaving her with a daughter in her arms. Who is guilty? Well, yes, alcohol. This scourge in the artistic community mowed down almost everyone without exception. Oleg Ivanovich, by the way, also suffered from this… But Borisov Jr. fell out of the profession for many years, left the capital, “wandered around the country,” as he called it. Even with his brother, the relationship deteriorated because of this; vodka ate away the best years of the actor.
“The liquid knocked down many,” recalled Lev Borisov. – So my stormy youth was the knowledge of life, the knowledge of people, betrayals, which to some extent was necessary for creativity. This notorious “first half” brought a lot of adversity, but, thank God, it was won back. Maybe not entirely successful. The second one, it seems to me, is better.” And he also said that his life passed without a middle – only the beginning and the end.
“This needs to end”
Oddly enough, Lev Borisov’s return to normal life began with the role of an alcoholic. He played the eternally drunk mechanic Mechnikov in “12 Chairs” Leonid Gaidai (1976). The actor returned to the theater. Married again. In 1979 his daughter was born Hope. He played dozens of film roles in the 1980s. In film Victor Buturlin “Gardener” was the first time two brothers met in one project – Oleg and Lev Borisov. And with this, by the way, they answered the question about their alleged enmity once and for all.
Then the collapse of the USSR began, and with it the collapse of Soviet cinema, and suddenly it turned out that the demand for Lev Borisov did not decrease. Vice versa! Every year he received more and more invitations.
In 1995, Borisov played a small role in the film Vladimir Menshov “Shirley-myrley.” Surprisingly, this film brought together all the stars of our cinema, everyone got a bright and memorable role. Borisov’s hero, a mafioso, an expert on the history of the criminal world with the phrase “this needs to end,” also got his share of fame.
And in 2000, the series “Gangster Petersburg” was released, in which Lev Ivanovich played a crime boss nicknamed Antibiotic. And suddenly the actor received what he had been striving for all his life – fame, recognition, the love of the audience. He became a star at the age of 67 and laughed at such quirks of fate. In 2001 he was awarded the title of People’s Artist. Lev’s brother Oleg Borisov passed away in 1994 and did not see his brother’s glory. However, he himself probably realized that he had gone overboard when he dissuaded the younger one from becoming an actor.
Lev Ivanovich was ill… In 2011, he suffered a stroke, from which he was never able to recover. The People’s Artist died the same year on November 15.
