Maxim Galkin
Maxim Galkin | |
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![]() Galkin in 2017 | |
Born | Maxim Alexandrovich Galkin June 18, 1976 |
Alma mater | Russian State University for the Humanities |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2000–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Awards | ![]() |
Website | maxgalkin |
Maxim Alexandrovich Galkin (Russian: Максим Алeксандpoвич Галкин; born 18 June 1976) is a Russian comedian,[1] television presenter and singer.
Biography
He first became famous as an impersonator and is known for his talent at parody and his duets with the famous Russian pop singer Alla Pugacheva and Ani Lorak.
Galkin was also the host of the Russian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?,[1][2] after it was renamed from O, Schastlivchik (Oh, Lucky Man) and to 2008 and host celebrity episode of 25 December 2002 Russian Roulette He currently hosts the Russian adaptation of The Million Pound Drop.
During his University years Galkin appeared in KVN, the Russian youth stand-up comedy competition, which kickstarted his career. Recently, he acted as a judge on the show.
Galkin and Pugacheva are hosts of a Russian TV show similar to But Can They Sing?, Dve Zvezdy (Two Stars). Pairs made up of a professional singer and a celebrity compete for the honour of being named Two Stars. Famous alumnae include the singers Jasmin, Alsou and NK.
Galkin had a very classical and strict upbringing. His mother was a teacher, and he finished music and math school, and knows four languages, Russian, English, German and French. He is a graduate of the Russian State University of the Humanities. Although he pursued a PhD at the university, he abandoned his studies with a master's degree in linguistics to pursue comedy.
Galkin is one of the few comedians currently performing an impression, albeit 'light-hearted', of President Vladimir Putin, on Russia's Channel One TV channel.[3]
Since November 2016 he has been hosting a children's talent show on TV "Best of all".[4]
Personal life
Galkin is Jewish, from his mother's side.[5]
Since 2001, Galkin had been romantically involved with the famed Soviet and Russian singer Alla Pugacheva. On December 24, 2011, the couple married, despite the significant age gap.[6] On September 18, 2013 Galkin and Pugacheva became the biological parents of twins via a surrogate mother – Elizaveta and Harry.
In March 2022, Galkin and Pugacheva left Russia for Israel following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[7] In August 2022 his wife and children returned to Russia, and in September 2022, Russia listed him as a foreign agent.[8]
Political views
Galkin has been openly critical about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He accused the Russian authorities of hypocrisy and lies with respect to war crimes that Russia has committed in firing rockets at the Ukrainian city of Odesa, its destruction of Mariupol and its atrocities in Bucha.[9]
He spoke up negatively about the Russian gay propaganda law, comparing it to a 'witch-hunt', which is created only for political PR and public distraction from more important issues.[10] However, he does not deem it necessary to legalize same-sex marriage and LGBT adoption because it can provoke a negative reaction in society.[11]
Awards
- Medal "For Faith and Goodness" of Kemerovo Oblast (2004)
- Order of Friendship (2006)[12]
- Order of Honor of Kuzbass (2013)
References
- ^ a b Beumers, Birgit (2005). Pop culture Russia!: media, arts, and lifestyle. ABC-CLIO, Inc. p. 35. ISBN 1-85109-459-8.
- ^ "Bio at IMdb". IMDb. Retrieved Sep 19, 2009.
- ^ Bratersky, Alexander (Jan 14, 2010). "New Cartoon Show Puts Putin Among Men". Moscow Time. Archived from the original on Jun 29, 2011. Retrieved Jan 25, 2010.
- ^ Лучше всех [Best of all]. vokrug.tv. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ "כוכבי הענק הרוסים אלה פוגצ'ובה ומקסים גלקין ברחו לישראל" [Russian superstars Ella Pugacheva and Maxim Galkin fled to Israel]. הארץ. Haaretz. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "News article in Russian". Mail.ru. 26 December 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
- ^ "Russian Megastars Alla Pugacheva, Maxim Galkin Flee to Israel". Haaretz. 24 March 2022.
- ^ Philissa Cramer (2022-09-19). "Iconic Russian singer condemns war on Ukraine after Jewish husband declared 'foreign agent'". jewish telegraphic agency. Retrieved 2022-09-19.
- ^ Rozovsky, Liza. "Kremlin Threatens Russian Star Comedian Who Fled to Israel". Haaretz. Haaretz.com. Retrieved 15 September 2022.
- ^ ntv.ru. "Галкин защитил геев от "охоты на ведьм"" [Galkin defended gays from the "witch hunt"]. НТВ. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
- ^ "GAY.RU - Максим Галкин поддержал супругу: "Усыновление детей геями я принять не могу..."" [GAY.RU - Maxim Galkin supported his wife: "I can't accept the adoption of children by gays..."]. www.gay.ru. Retrieved 2017-04-18.
- ^ "Galkin Maksim, photo, biography". persona.rin.ru. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
External links
- CS1 uses Russian-language script (ru)
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- Articles containing Russian-language text
- Official website not in Wikidata
- AC with 0 elements
- Living people
- 1976 births
- People from Naro-Fominsky District
- Russian activists against the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine
- Russian Jews
- Russian Orthodox Christians from Russia
- Russian male comedians
- Russian game show hosts
- Russian comedy musicians
- Russian television personalities
- Russian parodists
- Russian male television actors
- Russian State University for the Humanities alumni
- Fabrika Zvyozd
- Russian YouTubers
- Russian stand-up comedians
- People listed in Russia as foreign agents
- Russian male YouTubers
- Comedy YouTubers