Ivan Yankovsky Opens Up on Star Roles and Comparisons to Grandfather

In recent years, a trend has emerged in the film industry: if a movie is being discussed all over Russia, Ivan Yankovsky is almost certainly in it. The actor strives to choose interesting projects and not tarnish his reputation and star surname.

On the occasion of the younger Yankovsky«s birthday, we recall how he managed to rise to the peak of fame despite difficulties and scandals.

“I Was Locked in a Room for a Year for Lying”

In childhood, the younger Yankovsky was not at all a good boy. He skipped lessons, secretly watched horror movies from his parents, often lied, and did not want to submit to upbringing. At some point, according to Ivan, his behavior so annoyed the family that they took extreme measures.

— I was locked in a room for a year for lying and for skipping school and smoking. I only went to school and back. The only outlet was sports newspapers that I bought at the kiosk across from the school, — admitted Ivan.

Despite growing up in a family where his parents, grandfather, and grandmother were all actors, he himself did not want to continue the dynasty at all. He was closer to sports; he played football, track and field, but he was especially passionate about tennis. At 9 years old, he even won a junior tournament in Los Angeles.

Ivan loved sports very much but could not become disciplined. His parents, not knowing how to help him, decided to transfer him from a regular school to a place with stricter conditions. They chose between the Suvorov Military School and the International Moscow Film School and settled on the latter. The change really did him good; Ivan traveled a lot and encountered real problems.

— I went through a lot with this school: I was on the Solovetsky Islands, on expeditions in Armenia and Turkey, in South Africa — there we made a documentary about children. The school constantly created conditions in which you had to define certain values for yourself. This school put my mind in order, — the younger Yankovsky believes.

After school, he no longer doubted that he wanted to connect his life with film and theater. Ivan applied to all Moscow universities and was accepted into GITIS (Russian State Institute of Theatre Arts) for the directing and acting department. Even then, Ivan understood that the famous surname did not always work in his favor and he would have to prove that he was no worse than his father or grandfather.

— Choosing the acting profession, I understood that I was going to war — with public opinion, with prejudices, with the fact that I am not Oleg, not Petya, not Sasha, — Ivan was firmly convinced.

“I Am Weak in Life, but the Role Allows Me to Step into the Skin of a Strong Person”

After studying, at first the actor was not spoiled with roles. He performed in theater and appeared in film a couple of times, but only devoted fans of the artist would remember those roles now. The first fame came to Ivan after the release of the film “Text” (18+). Moreover, the premiere was accompanied by heated discussions: viewers were outraged due to an explicit scene with Kristina Asmus.

— Kristina did not deserve the bullying directed at her for being a professional actress. For us, it was also stressful — to shoot such a scene. It is not fun and not a celebration. Such scenes do not bring pleasure and happiness. You are showing intimate, personal things, and that is difficult, — Ivan stood up for his colleague.

Yankovsky himself said that he does not perceive work as something supernatural and very important. Acting for him was just entertainment and an opportunity to step into someone else«s shoes.

— The acting profession for me is a kind of indulgence, a game. I engage in it only from the perspective that I can learn something as a person. If I am weak in life, and the role allows me to step into the skin of a strong person, if I am afraid of pain, but play someone who is not afraid of it, then working on the material will help me understand something about myself, overcome something.

Similarly, expecting nothing, he agreed to the role of Vova Adidas in “The Boy«s Word” (18+). It would seem that after it he became even more successful, but here too there was no avoiding scandals. First, his colleague Nikita Kologrivy attacked him. He believed that Ivan was completely unsuitable for this role and accused him of getting the job without auditions, unlike the others.

— Do you want to say that there are few Vova Adidases in the country? The same Yura Borisov. I think he could have done this job more accurately. But, apparently, he was not offered, — Kologrivy was indignant in one interview.

Yankovsky subtly responded to Kologrivy in his blog:

— I am a modest person, at least I believe that I am modest. I do not like to speak without cause. I believe that for a creative person, the work itself should speak.

In 2024, Kologrivy took back his words and acknowledged Yankovsky«s acting talent.

After the rise in popularity, Ivan was criticized more than once, first by viewers of the series “Crimes and Punishments” (18+), then the remake “Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears. Everything Is Just Beginning” (18+). In addition to the projects themselves being resonant, critics said that Ivan did not act well enough and could not reach the level of Oleg Yankovsky.

— They started comparing me with my grandfather. Which, I think, is completely pointless! It«s even some kind of nonsense. “Well, he»s not the grandfather! Far from the grandfather. And this one, of course, is a block of wood. The grandfather is amazing, and this one…” You know, I understood the best thing in this, that if they compare, then it«s already good. There is a reason. I am ready to lose to my grandfather a hundred times out of a hundred! — Ivan responded to the criticism.

Ivan stated that he is not concerned with others« opinions; the main thing is that he himself likes how and where he acts.

— You know what I do best? Not giving a damn about others« expectations. I am a real master at that. I can really give out my number if someone needs to be convinced of that. I don»t care what is expected of me. I don«t owe anyone anything, — Yankovsky said bluntly.

“I Want to Have a Little Fun”

As soon as Yankovsky entered show business, he immediately became known as a ladies« man and womanizer. He appeared in public with businessmen»s daughters, and he was attributed romances with actresses. However, all these connections did not last long.

The longest romance the actor had was with the daughter of the leader of the band “Alisa” Konstantin Kinchev — Viera Panfilova. Their relationship lasted three years; the couple appeared together in public. There was talk that the lovers had already met each other«s parents, moved in together, and were preparing for the wedding. However, at one moment everything collapsed.

At one of the premieres in 2016, Yankovsky appeared in the company of blogger Taisiya Rumyantseva, and at the Golden Eagle award ceremony he was hugging the daughter of restaurateur Alexandra Novikova.

— Ivan has been very in demand in his profession lately, — shared Yankovsky«s close friend Alexander. — And he is not at that age yet to fully devote himself to family, spend evenings at home with his beloved. He wants to have a little fun. Viera has her own affairs — performances, rehearsals. At some point, they apparently noticed that they were spending less and less time together. Well, then they decided that it was not worth tormenting themselves. And they moved apart.

Fans accused Ivan of cheating; the actor just brushed it off in response. In August 2017, the actor got back together with Viera as if nothing had happened.

On the second attempt, the couple again could not build family happiness. During the filming of the film “World Champion” (16+), Ivan met Diana Pozharskaya. The actress was married at the time, but that did not stop the lovers.

At first they hid their relationship. They shared with the public only in 2021, after they got married. Diana was already pregnant by that time. In the role of husband, the actor completely changed; he does not leave his wife«s side and instead of suspicions of infidelity now only evokes admiration from fans with tender family photos.

In 2021, Yankovsky and Pozharskaya had a son, who was named after his grandfather — Oleg.

— I now worry first and foremost not about my own ass, — Ivan declared in one show. — In general, there is nothing more pleasant than when your child reaches out to you. Looks up at you, hugs you, and asks to be picked up. It«s impossible! These are the best emotions on Earth.