Stars Attend Farewell for Actor Roman Popov
On Saturday, November 1, they said goodbye to actor Roman Popov in Moscow, known for the series «Policeman from Rublyovka». He passed away on October 28 at the age of 40. The cause of death was complications after a course of chemotherapy, which the artist was using to treat brain cancer.
His relatives and close ones came to see Popov off on his last journey. The funeral ceremony is taking place at the Central Clinical Hospital. One of the first to arrive for the farewell was Oganes Grigoryan, with whom he performed together in KVN (Club of the Merry and Quick-Witted).
“He was my closest friend. We were friends for over twenty years, worked together on the same stage for fifteen years. He was my partner, he was a friend to my family,” he told MSK1.RU. “He was smiling, funny for the audience.”
Former Comedy Club resident and KVN participant Oleg Vereshchagin recalled what won him over about Popov.
“He addressed everyone, regardless of age, by their first name and patronymic. At first, it surprised me, and then it became endearing,” shared Oleg Vereshchagin. “Roma was a very kind, very bright person. He himself was suffering from illness, yet he often called and asked to participate in some charitable events aimed at supporting children with developmental disabilities.”
Actor and former lead singer of the group Korni (Roots) Alexander Astashenok, who did not leave Popov in his last days before death, told what was happening then.
“We came, had fun together, supported him, sang songs… In general, we told some jokes. No one thought that… Didn’t think about anything bad,” he said.
Producer and actress Aysurat Shamanova arrived at the Central Clinical Hospital building. She shared with journalists her memories of what Roman Popov was like in life and at work.
“We communicated on set. We had different periods, of course. Sometimes we argued, made up. But we always loved each other very much, organized some home gatherings,” says Aysurat Shamanova. “Professionally, on the filming set, he was super easy-going and very charming. The entire filming set always loved him. We constantly cracked up at all his funny jokes, he really was like that not just on screen, but in life as well.”
Also spotted at the farewell ceremony were actor Sergei Burunov and TV host Garik Kharlamov. They silently approached the coffin with their friend«s body and laid red carnations. Kharlamov crossed himself and touched the coffin, after which he left.
After exiting the Central Clinical Hospital hall, Garik Kharlamov told journalists that he was very comfortable working with Roman Popov.
“We existed together for a long time in Comedy Club. I was very glad that he found a role. More precisely, the role found him in the series ‘Policeman from Rublyovka’. When everything started going uphill for him. It was very joyful to watch his career growth,” said the TV host.
He added that Popov worked without sparing himself and passed away very early. The last time they spoke was six months ago. At the same time, the comedian says that he was in touch with the actor«s close ones, as they were raising funds for treatment.
“But I’ll say it again, unfortunately, there are illnesses that [cannot be defeated], even if you gather all the money in the world… He never complained. But, I think, it would have been difficult all that,” he said haltingly.
About how close ones and colleagues are seeing Roman Popov off on his last journey, MSK1.RU tells in an online report.
