Mikhail Astangov

Mikhail Astangov was a legendary stage actor of the Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow. He was born Mikhail Fyodorovich Ruzhnikov on November 3, 1900, in Warsaw, Russian Empire (now Warsaw, Poland). His father worked for Imperial Russian railroad. In 1920 he made his acting debut in Theatrical Studio of Feodor Chaliapin Sr.. From 1923 to 1930 he worked as actor in Leningrad, Odessa, and other cities. From 1930 - 1941 he was member of the troupe at Moscow Theatre of Revolution, then was member of Theatre of Mossovet. From 1945 to 1965 Astangov was member of the troupe at Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow.