"His images have become a reflection of an entire era." Colleagues about Valery Garkalin

Valery Garkalin died at the age of 68. In early October, he was hospitalized with covid-19. Friends and colleagues remember what the famous actor Valery Garkalin was like

Actor Valery Garkalin was an outstanding artist, a wonderful person and an excellent friend. His death was a huge loss for everyone who had the good fortune to work and meet him, theater and film actor, People's Artist of RUSSIA Sergei Migitsko told RBC .

“Rarely now in the acting world you can meet a friend. But Valera Garkalin was him, despite his talent and merits. He was a very good person. May his memory be blessed," he said.

People's Artist of Russia Valery Barinov , in a conversation with RBC, recalled that Garkalin, despite all the misfortunes in life, was a bright, "not a bit gloomy" person. According to him, the actor felt the reality very keenly and, with all the demand and popularity, remained a sympathetic person. “For me, this is a personal loss, as, I think, a personal loss for all viewers. When an actor is so popular, he becomes a close person, a family member. I think that today many millions of people have lost a member of their family,” Barinov added. According to actor Alexander Oleshko, who played with Garkalin in the performances of The Inspector General and The Taming of the Shrew at the Satire Theater, "he could teach in a few rehearsals what they have been teaching for years at a theater university" and was generous with praise and support.

GITIS named the date and place of farewell to Garkalin Society

Playwright and writer Yevgeny Grishkovets told TASS that he met Garkalin in 2000, when he played in a play based on his play "Winter" in Sovremennik. “I was just a novice playwright and I was worried, but he was very supportive and generally cared touchingly <...> And, of course, he was wonderful - funny, cheerful, touching, noble,” Grishkovets noted. The famous theater DIRECTOR Dmitry Krymov called the deceased actor a true friend and "miracle man." “I’m looking at his smiling face now ... but from there ... it was he who persuaded me to direct. I didn't think at all and didn't take it seriously. He is the initiator, ”Krymov shared (quote from RIA Novosti). At GITIS, where Garkalin taught for more than 20 years at the Department of Variety Art, they remember him as a teacher and friend who could see and reveal the talent of others. “Valery Garkalin had a sparkling sense of humor and amazing charisma. The artist approached any business with incredible optimism, ”the university website says. The Minister of Culture of Russia Olga Lyubimova also expressed her condolences to the family and friends of Garkalin in connection with the death of the actor, noting that his screen images became a reflection of an entire era. “He was a truly noble man, sensitive and infinitely talented,” Lyubimova was quoted in the press service of the ministry (quoted by TASS).