Anna Samokhina (Russian: Анна Самохина; 14 January 1963 – 7 February 2010) was a Russian film and theater actress known for her roles in Soviet and post‑Soviet cinema. She achieved popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in a range of drama, comedy, and action films.
Early life and education
Anna Samokhina was born in Guryevsk, Kemerovo Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. She graduated from the Leningrad State Institute of Theatre, Music and Cinematography (now the Saint Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy) in 1985, where she studied acting under prominent Soviet teachers.
Career
Samokhina made her film debut in 1985 with a supporting role in Sailors of the Sea (Russian: «Моряки»). She gained widespread recognition for her performance in the 1987 drama The Last Train (Russian: «Последний поезд») and the popular 1990 comedy The Lady with the Parrot (Russian: «Леди с попугаем»). Throughout the 1990s, she starred in a series of commercially successful films, including The Black Eagle (1992), The Bride of the Night (1995), and The Cossacks (1998). Samokhina also performed on stage, notably with the St. Petersburg Drama Theatre, where she appeared in productions such as The Seagull and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Awards and honors
- Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (1994)
- Winner of the Nika Award for Best Actress for her role in The Black Eagle (1993)
Personal life
Samokhina was married twice. Her first marriage, to director Yuri Zhelyabuzhsky, ended in divorce. She later married businessman Dmitry Ivanov, with whom she had one daughter, Elena.
Death
On 7 February 2010, Anna Samokhina died in a traffic collision near St. Petersburg. Her death was widely reported in Russian media, and she was commemorated with memorial services attended by colleagues from the Russian film and theater communities.
Legacy
Anna Samokhina is remembered for her versatility as an actress and her contribution to Russian popular cinema during the transition from the Soviet era to the post‑Soviet period. Retrospectives of her work have been featured in Russian film festivals, and several of her films remain part of the Russian cinematic canon.