Leonid Leonidov

Leonid Mironovich Leonidov (Russian: Леонид Миронович Леонидов, 3 June [O.S. 22 May] 1873 – 6 August 1941) was a Russian and Soviet actor, director and pedagogue. People's Artist of the USSR (1936). Born Leonid Meyerovich Volfenzon (Russian: Леонид Мейерович Вольфензон) in a Jewish family in Odesa, he worked in the Moscow Art Theatre from 1903. His roles included Dmitri Karamazov, Othello, Lopakhin. In 1920s and 1930s he also appeared in several films. Konstantin Stanislavski called him "the only Russian tragic actor." Leonidov was honored with People's Artist of the USSR in 1936.