Vladimir Etush

Vladimir Etush is a popular actor and director of the Shchukin Theatrical School of the Vakhtangov Theatre in Moscow. He was born Vladimir Abramovich Etush on May 6, 1922, in Moscow, Russia. Young Etush was raised by his single mother, Raisa Etush. As a schoolboy, he was fond of acting and reading, and took part in school productions of Chekhov's plays. In 1941 he entered, but his studies were interrupted by war. During the Second World War he served in the Red Army; he was severely wounded in a battle against the Nazis, and was decorated with the Red Star for his courage. In 1945 he graduated from the Shchukin Theatrical School as an actor.