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{{Short description|Soviet and Lithuanian actor (1924–2014)}}
{{use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Donatas Banionis
| name = Donatas Banionis
| post-nominals =
| post-nominals =
| image = Дoнатас Баниoнис.jpg
| image = Donatas Banionis.jpg
| caption =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_name = Donatas Banionis
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|4|28|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|4|28|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Kaunas]], [[Lithuania]]
| birth_place = [[Kaunas]], [[Lithuania]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|9|4|1924|4|28|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2014|9|4|1924|4|28|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Vilnius]], [[Lithuania]]
| death_place = [[Vilnius]], [[Lithuania]]
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor, theatre director
| yearsactive = 1941-2013
| yearsactive = 1944–2013
}}
}}
⚫
'''Donatas Banionis''' (28 April 1924 – 4 September 2014) was a Soviet and Lithuanian stage and film actor and theatre director.<ref>{{cite book|title=Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema|author=Peter Rollberg|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|year=2016|place=US|isbn=978-1442268425|pages=80–81}}</ref> He has more than 80 credited roles in cinema and is best known for his performance in the lead role of [[Andrei Tarkovsky|Tarkovsky]]'s ''[[Solaris (1972 film)|Solaris]]'' as Kris Kelvin. He was born in [[Kaunas]], [[Lithuania]].<ref name="ria">{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/spravka/20140904/1022779003.html|work=[[RIA Novosti]]|title=Донатас Банионис. Биография|date=4 September 2014 }}</ref><ref name="sd">{{cite web|url=http://stuki-druki.com/authors/Banionis.php|work=Shtuki Dryuki|title=Донатас Банионис - биография, информация, личная жизнь}}</ref>


⚫
Banionis began his career with some films in [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], but he would later play mainly in [[Russian language]] films (although his voice was dubbed by Russian actors). He has also worked outside the USSR like in the title role [[Francisco Goya]] of the USSR-GDR coproduction ''[[Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment]]'' (1971), directed by [[Konrad Wolf]] and in the title role as [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] in the 1976 [[DEFA]]-production ''Beethoven - Tage aus einem Leben''. Aside from films, he was a popular stage actor in [[Panevėžys]], where he acted since the age of 17, and which was frequented by Donatas' fans from all over the former Soviet Union. His first teacher was [[Juozas Miltinis]]. He acted in [[Vilnius]], in the [[Lithuanian National Drama Theatre]]. One of the best-known works of the actor was the role of Kris Kelvin in the film [[Solaris (1972 film)|Solaris]] (1972) of Andrei Tarkovsky.
⚫
'''Donatas Banionis''' (28 April 1924 – 4 September 2014) was a [[Lithuanian people|Lithuanian]] actor. He has more than 80 credited roles in cinema and is best known for his performance in the lead role of [[Andrei Tarkovsky|Tarkovsky]]'s ''[[Solaris (1972 film)|Solaris]]'' as Kris Kelvin. He was born in [[Kaunas]], [[Lithuania]].<ref name="ria">{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/spravka/20140904/1022779003.html|work=[[RIA Novosti]]|title=Донатас Банионис. Биография}}</ref><ref name="sd">{{cite web|url=http://stuki-druki.com/authors/Banionis.php|work=Shtuki Dryuki|title=Донатас Банионис - биография, информация, личная жизнь}}</ref>


⚫
[[Vladimir Putin]] once stated that Banionis' part in the 1968 Soviet spy film ''[[Dead Season]]'' was the reason why he joined the [[KGB]].<ref name="death">{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/05/how-the-actor-donatas-banionis-inspired-vladimir-putin-to-become-a-spy.html|title=How the Actor Donatas Banionis Inspired Vladimir Putin to Become a Spy|newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=5 September 2014 |publisher=The Daily Beast.com|access-date=5 September 2014 |last1=Suebsaeng |first1=Asawin }}</ref>
⚫
Banionis began his career with some films in [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], but he would later play mainly in [[Russian language]] films (although his voice was dubbed by Russian actors). He has also worked outside the USSR like in the title role [[Francisco Goya]] of the USSR-GDR coproduction ''[[Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment]]'' (1971), directed by [[Konrad Wolf]] and in the title role as [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] in the 1976 [[DEFA (film studio)|DEFA]]-production ''Beethoven - Tage aus einem Leben''. Aside from films, he was a popular stage actor in [[Panevėžys]], where he acted since the age of 17, and which was frequented by Donatas' fans from all over the former Soviet Union. His first teacher was [[Juozas Miltinis]]. He acted in [[Vilnius]], in the [[Lithuanian National Drama Theatre]].


⚫
==Early life and education==
⚫
[[Vladimir Putin]] once stated that Banionis' part in the 1968 Soviet spy film ''[[Dead Season]]'' was the reason why he joined the [[KGB]].<ref name="death">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/05/how-the-actor-donatas-banionis-inspired-vladimir-putin-to-become-a-spy.html|title=How the Actor Donatas Banionis Inspired Vladimir Putin to Become a Spy|publisher=The Daily Beast.com|accessdate=5 September 2014}}</ref>
⚫
Donatas Banionis was born on 28 April 1924 in [[Kaunas]], [[Lithuania]], to a family of labourers. His father was Juozas Banionis and his mother Ona Blažaitytė Banionienė.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


⚫
He graduated from the First Kaunas Handicraft School, specialising in ceramics. During his studies he participated in a drama club.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
==Biography==
⚫
===Early life and career beginnings===
⚫
Donatas Banionis was born on April 28, 1924 in [[Kaunas]], [[Lithuania]], to a family of laborers. His father was Juozas Banionis and his mother Ona Blažaitytė Banionienė.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


⚫
In 1940 in Kaunas, based on the amateur collective that existed at the House of Labor, a professional theatre was created, which was headed by the young director Juozas Miltinis, and soon the theatre moved to [[Panevėžys]]. In 1941 Donatas Banionis was admitted to the troupe.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
⚫
He graduated from the First Kaunas Handicraft School, specializing in ceramics. During his studies he participated in a drama club.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />

⚫
In 1940 in Kaunas, based on the amateur collective that existed at the House of Labor, a professional theater was created, which was headed by the young director Juozas Miltinis, and soon the theater moved to [[Panevėžys]]. In 1941 Donatas Banionis was admitted to the troupe.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


In 1944, Banionis graduated from the studio at the Panevėžys Theater, becoming a professional actor.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
In 1944, Banionis graduated from the studio at the Panevėžys Theater, becoming a professional actor.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
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In 1984 he graduated from the State Conservatory of the Lithuanian SSR (now the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
In 1984 he graduated from the State Conservatory of the Lithuanian SSR (now the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


==Career==
[[File:Banionis.jpg|thumb|Banionis in 2008]]
===Theatre===
===Theatre===
On the stage, Donatas Banionis played over 100 characters. He acted in the plays "The Inspector General" based on Nikolai Gogol's play (1945), "Liar" based on the play Carlo Goldoni (1952), "How the Steel Was Tempered" based on the novel by Nikolai Ostrovsky (1952), "Gedda Gabler" based on Henrik Ibsen (1957), "There, Behind the Door" based on the work of Wolfgang Borchert (1966), "The Chair" after the play by Valery Vrublevskaya (1980), etc.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
On the stage, Banionis played over 100 characters. He acted in many plays, including "The Inspector General" by [[Nikolai Gogol]] (1945); ''Liar'' by [[Carlo Goldoni]] (1952); ''How the Steel Was Tempered'', based on the novel by [[Nikolai Ostrovsky]] (1952); ''[[Hedda Gabler]]'' by [[Henrik Ibsen]] (1957), ''There, Behind the Door'', based on the work of [[Wolfgang Borchert]] (1966); and ''The Chair'', by [[Valery Vrublevskaya]] (1980).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


In the early 1980s, after the retirement of Juozas Miltinis, Banionis was appointed the chief director of the Panevėžys Theater, assuming, in addition to problems of a creative nature, the entire burden of purely economic problems: preparation for tours, replenishment of the troupe. Banionis led the theatre until the year 1988. The performances staged during this time included "Amadeus", "Three sacks of weeds" and "Evening".<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
In the early 1980s, after the retirement of Juozas Miltinis, Banionis was appointed the chief director of the Panevėžys Theater, assuming, in addition to problems of a creative nature, the entire burden of purely economic problems: preparation for tours, replenishment of the troupe. Banionis led the theatre until the year 1988. The performances staged during this time included "Amadeus", "Three sacks of weeds" and "Evening".<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


In the 1990s, the actor performed in the plays "Mindaugas" by Justinas Marcinkevičius (1994), "On the Golden Lake" by Ernest Thompson (1996), "The Circle" by Somerset Maugham (1996), "Love Letters" by Albert Garni (1997)<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
In the 1990s, the actor performed in the plays "Mindaugas" by Justinas Marcinkevičius (1994), "On the Golden Lake" by Ernest Thompson (1996), "The Circle" by [[Somerset Maugham ]](1996), "Love Letters" by Albert Garni (1997)<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


===Film===
===Film===
In 1947, Banionis appeared in the film ''Marytė''. However, his cinematic debut is considered to be the film ''Adam wants to be a Man'' (1959) by director Vytautas Žalakevičius, then Banionis starred in his picture ''The Chronicle of One Day'' (1964).
In 1947, Banionis appeared in the film ''Marytė''. However, his cinematic debut is considered to be the film ''Adam wants to be a Man'' (1959) by director Vytautas Žalakevičius, then Banionis starred in his picture ''The Chronicle of One Day'' (1964).

Banionis' fame came after the film by Žalakevičius ''[[Nobody Wanted to Die]]'' (1965). The actor's work in the film by Savva Kulish ''[[Dead Season]]'' (1968) earned him great popularity.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
Banionis' fame came after the film by Žalakevičius ''[[Nobody Wanted to Die]]'' (1965). The actor's work in the film by Savva Kulish ''[[Dead Season]]'' (1968) earned him great popularity.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


Donatas Banionis starred in the films ''[[Nobody Wanted to Die]]'' (1965), ''The Little Prince'' (1966), ''Operation Trust'' (1967), ''[[King Lear (1971 USSR film)|King Lear]]'' (1970), ''[[Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment]]'' (1971), ''The Life and Death of Ferdinand Luce'' (1976), ''Beethoven — Days of a Life'' (1976), ''[[Armed and Dangerous (1977 film)|Armed and Dangerous]]'' (1976), ''[[Commander of the Lucky "Pike"]]'' (1972), ''[[The Flight of Mr. McKinley]]'' (1975), ''[[Centaurs (film)|Centaurs]]'' (1978), ''Niccolo Paganini'' (1982), ''Zmielov'' (1985), ''Living Target'' (1990), ''Without Evidence'' (1992), ''Anna'' (1996) ''Yard'' (1999), ''Tadas Blinda'', ''The Beginning'' (2011), etc.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
Banionis starred in the films ''[[Nobody Wanted to Die]]'' (1965), ''The Little Prince'' (1966), ''Operation Trust'' (1967), ''[[King Lear (1971 USSR film)|King Lear]]'' (1970), ''[[Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment]]'' (1971), ''The Life and Death of Ferdinand Luce'' (1976), ''Beethoven — Days of a Life'' (1976), ''[[Armed and Dangerous (1977 film)|Armed and Dangerous]]'' (1976), ''[[Commander of the Lucky "Pike"]]'' (1972), ''[[The Flight of Mr. McKinley]]'' (1975), ''[[Centaurs (film)|Centaurs]]'' (1978), ''Niccolo Paganini'' (1982), ''Zmielov'' (1985), ''Living Target'' (1990), ''Without Evidence'' (1992), ''Anna'' (1996) ''Yard'' (1999), ''Tadas Blinda'', ''The Beginning'' (2011), etc.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


One of the best-known works of the actor was the role of Kris Kelvin in the film of Andrei Tarkovsky ''[[Solaris (1972 film)|Solaris]]'' (1972).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
One of the best-known works of the actor was the role of Kris Kelvin in the film of Andrei Tarkovsky ''[[Solaris (1972 film)|Solaris]]'' (1972).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


===Other activities===
==Other activities==
Donatas Banionis was a member of the Jurgis Baltrušaitis Foundation, whose goal is to promote cultural ties and expand humanitarian cooperation between Lithuania and Russia.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
Banionis was a member of the Jurgis Baltrušaitis Foundation, whose goal is to promote cultural ties and expand humanitarian cooperation between Lithuania and Russia.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


Member of the [[CPSU]] since 1960. Member of the [[Communist Party of Lithuania]]. Member of the [[Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union]] of the 9th convocation (1974-1979).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
Member of the [[CPSU]] since 1960. Member of the [[Communist Party of Lithuania]]. Member of the [[Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union]] of the 9th convocation (1974-1979).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
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He is the author of memoir prose "I've wanted to Act since My Childhood" (2006).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
He is the author of memoir prose "I've wanted to Act since My Childhood" (2006).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


===Illness and death===
==Later life and death==
In his later years, the actor suffered from heart problems. He was stitched with a heart stimulant, then he underwent a long rehabilitation course.
In his later years, the actor suffered from heart problems. He was stitched with a heart stimulant, then he underwent a long rehabilitation course.


Banionis died on 4 September 2014 from a stroke. He was 90 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/soviet-actor-donatas-banionis-dead-730411|title=Soviet-Era Actor Who Inspired Vladimir Putin Dies at 90|publisher=Hollywood Reporter.com|accessdate=6 September 2014|date=5 September 2014}}</ref>
Banionis died on 4 September 2014 from a stroke. He was 90 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/soviet-actor-donatas-banionis-dead-730411|title=Soviet-Era Actor Who Inspired Vladimir Putin Dies at 90|publisher=Hollywood Reporter.com|access-date=6 September 2014|date=5 September 2014}}</ref>


==Honors==
==Honors and awards==
Donatas Banionis is a People's Artist of the USSR (1974), winner of the [[All-Union Film Festival]] in the category "Best Actor Award" (1966), laureate of the State Prizes of the USSR (1967, 1977, for participation in the films ''[[Nobody Wanted to Die]]'' and ''[[The Flight of Mr. McKinley]]'').<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
Banionis is a [[People's Artist of the USSR]] (1974), winner of the [[All-Union Film Festival]] in the category "Best Actor Award" (1966), laureate of the State Prizes of the USSR (1967, 1977, for participation in the films ''[[Nobody Wanted to Die]]'' and ''[[The Flight of Mr. McKinley]]'').<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


Among the awards of Donatas Banionis - the Order of Gediminas III degree (1994), the medal. Khanzhonkov in the nomination "For outstanding contribution to the cinema" (1999), the Russian Friendship Orders (1999) and Honor (2009), the Grand Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit for Lithuania (2004), the National Award of Lithuania in the field of culture and art (2013) ).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
His awards include the Order of Gediminas III degree (1994), the medal. Khanzhonkov in the nomination "For outstanding contribution to the cinema" (1999), the Russian Friendship Orders (1999) and Honor (2009), the Grand Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit for Lithuania (2004), the National Award of Lithuania in the field of culture and art (2013).<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


Donatas Banionis was repeatedly awarded with prizes of international film festivals. At the film festival of the CIS and Baltic countries "Kinoshok" in 1999 he was awarded with a special prize "Lady luck" named after Pavel Luspekaev "for courage and outstanding merits in creativity."<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
He won several prizes at international film festivals. At the film festival of the CIS and Baltic countries [[Kinoshok]] in 1999 he was awarded with a special prize "Lady luck" named after [[Pavel Luspekaev]], "for courage and outstanding merits in creativity."<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


In 1999 he became an Honorary Citizen of the city of Panevezys.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
In 1999 he became an Honorary Citizen of the city of [[Panevėžys]].<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
His wife was actress Ona Banionis (1924-2008). They had two sons - Egidijus (1948-1993), a historian, posthumously awarded the State Prize in the field of science, and Raymundas (born in 1957), director.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />
His wife was actress Ona Banionis (1924-2008). They had two sons - Egidijus (1948-1993), a historian, posthumously awarded the State Prize in the field of science, and Raimundas (born in 1957), director.<ref name="ria" /><ref name="sd" />


==Selected filmography==
==Selected filmography==
{{Expand list|date=March 2014}}
{{Div col}}
{{Div col}}
* ''Marytė'' (1947) as Peter
* ''Marytė'' (1947) as Peter
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* ''[[Nobody Wanted to Die]]'' (1966) as Pirmininkas
* ''[[Nobody Wanted to Die]]'' (1966) as Pirmininkas
* ''[[Beware of the Car]]'' (1966) as pastor
* ''[[Beware of the Car]]'' (1966) as pastor
* ''Malenkiy prints'' (1966) as Adult
* ''[[The Little Prince (1966 film)|The Little Prince]]'' (1966) as Adult
* ''Zhitiye i vozneseniye Yurasya Bratchika'' (1967) as jesuit Bosyatsky
* ''[[Dead Season (film)|Dead Season]]'' (1968) as Ladeinikov
* ''[[Dead Season (film)|Dead Season]]'' (1968) as Ladeinikov
* ''[[The Red Tent (film)|The Red Tent]]'' (1969) as [[Adalberto Mariano]]
* ''[[The Red Tent (film)|The Red Tent]]'' (1969) as [[Adalberto Mariano]]
* ''[[King Lear (1971 USSR film)|King Lear]]'' (1971) as [[Duke of Albany]]
* ''[[King Lear (1971 USSR film)|King Lear]]'' (1971) as [[Duke of Albany]]
* ''[[Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment]]'' (1971) as [[Goya]]
* ''[[Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment]]'' (1971) as [[Francisco Goya|Goya]]
* ''[[Solaris (1972 film)|Solaris]]'' (1972) as Kris Kelvin
* ''[[Solaris (1972 film)|Solaris]]'' (1972) as Kris Kelvin
* ''Kapteinis Dzeks'' (1972) as Mitya
* ''Kapteinis Dzeks'' (1972) as Mitya
* ''[[Commander of the Lucky "Pike"]]'' (1973) as Viktor Sherknis
* ''[[Commander of the Lucky "Pike"]]'' (1973) as Viktor Sherknis
* ''Otkrytiye'' (1974) as Sergey Matveyevich Yuryshev
* ''[[The Flight of Mr. McKinley]]'' (1975) as Mr. McKinley
* ''[[The Flight of Mr. McKinley]]'' (1975) as Mr. McKinley
* ''Beethoven - Tage aus einem Leben'' (1976) as Ludwig van Beethoven
* ''Beethoven, Tage aus einem Leben'' (1976) as [[Ludwig van Beethoven]]
* ''[[Mama, I'm Alive]]'' (1977) as Major Mauris
* ''[[Mama, I'm Alive]]'' (1977) as Major Mauris
* ''[[Armed and Dangerous (1977 film)|Armed and Dangerous]]'' (1977) as Gabriel Conroy
* ''[[Armed and Dangerous (1977 film)|Armed and Dangerous]]'' (1977) as Gabriel Conroy
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* ''[[Centaurs (film)|Centaurs]]'' (1978) as Salvador Allende, chilský prezident
* ''[[Centaurs (film)|Centaurs]]'' (1978) as Salvador Allende, chilský prezident
* ''[[Bag of the Collector]]'' (1979) as Alexei Tulyakov
* ''[[Bag of the Collector]]'' (1979) as Alexei Tulyakov
* ''Nesetu rugiu zydejimas'' (1979) as Antanas Petrusonis
* ''Nesėtų rugių žydėjimas'' (1979) as Antanas Petrusonis
* ''[[Territory (1978 film)|Territory]]'' (1979) as Ilya Chinkov
* ''[[Territory (1978 film)|Territory]]'' (1979) as Ilya Chinkov
* ''[[The Suicide Club, or the Adventures of a Titled Person]]'' (1981, TV Movie) as Nick Nichols, aka The Chairman
* ''[[The Suicide Club, or the Adventures of a Titled Person]]'' (1981, TV Movie) as Nick Nichols, The Chairman
* ''Andrius'' (1980) as Rauplenas
* ''Andrius'' (1980) as Rauplenas
* ''[[Faktas]]'' (1981) as Colonel Titel
* ''[[Faktas]]'' (1981) as Colonel Titel
* ''Medaus menuo Amerikoje'' (1981) as Alan
* ''Medaus menuo Amerikoje'' (1981) as Alan
* ''Atsiprasau'' (1982) as Guest from Vilnius
* ''Atsiprasau'' (1982) as Guest from Vilnius
* ''Detskiy mir'' (1982) as Mikhail Rasporkin
* ''[[Snake Catcher]]'' (1985) as Boris
* ''Zmeelov'' (1985) as Mitrich-Kolobok
* ''[[The Dolphin's Cry (film)|The Dolphin's Cry]]'' (1986) as Submarine Chaplain
* ''[[The Dolphin's Cry (film)|The Dolphin's Cry]]'' (1986) as Submarine Chaplain
* ''Zagon'' (1988) as Harry Malstoun
* ''Na iskhode nochi'' (1988) as Eiman
* ''[[The 13th Apostle]]'' (1988) as Otets
* ''[[The 13th Apostle]]'' (1988) as Otets
* ''[[Entrance to the Labyrinth]]'' (1990, TV Mini-Series) as Mazardi
* ''[[Entrance to the Labyrinth]]'' (1990, TV Mini-Series) as Mazardi
* ''Zhivaja mishen'' (1990) as Pavel Vasilievitch
* ''Kiemas'' (1999) as the old man
* ''Sem dney posle ubiystva'' (1991) as Sledovatel
* ''Yatrinskaya vedma'' (1991) as voevoda Korsak
* ''Pyushchye krovi'' (1991) as Telyaev
* ''Depressiya'' (1991) as Starik
* ''Shlyaktich zavalna'' (1994) as pan Tvardovsky
* ''Anna'' (1996)
* ''Kiemas'' (1999) as The old man
* ''Tolko raz...'' (2002) as Aleksandr Yanovitch
* ''Saga drevnikh bulgar. Skazanie Olgi Svyatoy'' (2005)
* ''Saga drevnikh bulgar: Lestvitsa Vladimira Krasnoye Solnyshko'' (2005) as Sveneld
* ''Anastasia'' (2006, TV Movie) as father
* ''Anastasia'' (2006, TV Movie) as father
* ''[[Attack on Leningrad]]'' (2009) as Toyvo (uncredited)
* ''[[Attack on Leningrad]]'' (2009) as Toyvo (uncredited)
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==External links==
==External links==
{{commonscat|Donatas Banionis}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0052023|name=Donatas Banionis}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0052023|name=Donatas Banionis}}
* {{FAG}}


{{Lithuanian National Culture and Arts}}
{{Lithuanian National Culture and Arts}}
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[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:2014 deaths]]
[[Category:Soviet male film actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Lithuanian male actors]]
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[[Category:Actors from Kaunas]]
[[Category:Communist Party of Lithuania politicians]]
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[[Category:People of the KGB]]
[[Category:Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre alumni]]
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[[Category:Members of the Supreme Soviet of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic]]
[[Category:Ninth convocation members of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:People's Artists of the USSR]]
[[Category:Commander's Crosses of the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas]]
[[Category:Commander's Grand Crosses of the Order for Merits to Lithuania]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour]]
[[Category:Recipients of the USSR State Prize]]
[[Category:Lithuanian male film actors]]
[[Category:Lithuanian male film actors]]
[[Category:Lithuanian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Lithuanian male stage actors]]
⚫
[[Category:People's Artists of the USSR]]
[[Category:Lithuanian theatre directors]]
[[Category:Lithuanian theatre directors]]
[[Category:People of the KGB]]
[[Category:Soviet male film actors]]
[[Category:Recipients of the USSR State Prize]]
[[Category:Soviet male stage actors]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Lithuanian National Prize]]
[[Category:Soviet theatre directors]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Friendship]]
[[Category:Burials at Antakalnis Cemetery]]
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[[Category:People from Kaunas]]
[[Category:Place of death missing]]
[[Category:20th-century Lithuanian male actors]]
⚫
[[Category:Ninth convocation members of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union]]

Latest revision as of 18:46, 11 October 2024

Donatas Banionis
Born
Donatas Banionis

(1924-04-28)28 April 1924
Kaunas, Lithuania
Died4 September 2014(2014-09-04) (aged 90)
Vilnius, Lithuania
Occupation(s)Actor, theatre director
Years active1944–2013

Donatas Banionis (28 April 1924 – 4 September 2014) was a Soviet and Lithuanian stage and film actor and theatre director.[1] He has more than 80 credited roles in cinema and is best known for his performance in the lead role of Tarkovsky's Solaris as Kris Kelvin. He was born in Kaunas, Lithuania.[2][3]

Banionis began his career with some films in Lithuanian, but he would later play mainly in Russian language films (although his voice was dubbed by Russian actors). He has also worked outside the USSR like in the title role Francisco Goya of the USSR-GDR coproduction Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment (1971), directed by Konrad Wolf and in the title role as Ludwig van Beethoven in the 1976 DEFA-production Beethoven - Tage aus einem Leben. Aside from films, he was a popular stage actor in Panevėžys, where he acted since the age of 17, and which was frequented by Donatas' fans from all over the former Soviet Union. His first teacher was Juozas Miltinis. He acted in Vilnius, in the Lithuanian National Drama Theatre. One of the best-known works of the actor was the role of Kris Kelvin in the film Solaris (1972) of Andrei Tarkovsky.

Vladimir Putin once stated that Banionis' part in the 1968 Soviet spy film Dead Season was the reason why he joined the KGB.[4]

Early life and education

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Donatas Banionis was born on 28 April 1924 in Kaunas, Lithuania, to a family of labourers. His father was Juozas Banionis and his mother Ona Blažaitytė Banionienė.[2][3]

He graduated from the First Kaunas Handicraft School, specialising in ceramics. During his studies he participated in a drama club.[2][3]

In 1940 in Kaunas, based on the amateur collective that existed at the House of Labor, a professional theatre was created, which was headed by the young director Juozas Miltinis, and soon the theatre moved to Panevėžys. In 1941 Donatas Banionis was admitted to the troupe.[2][3]

In 1944, Banionis graduated from the studio at the Panevėžys Theater, becoming a professional actor.[2][3]

In 1984 he graduated from the State Conservatory of the Lithuanian SSR (now the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater).[2][3]

Career

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Banionis in 2008

Theatre

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On the stage, Banionis played over 100 characters. He acted in many plays, including "The Inspector General" by Nikolai Gogol (1945); Liar by Carlo Goldoni (1952); How the Steel Was Tempered, based on the novel by Nikolai Ostrovsky (1952); Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen (1957), There, Behind the Door, based on the work of Wolfgang Borchert (1966); and The Chair, by Valery Vrublevskaya (1980).[2][3]

In the early 1980s, after the retirement of Juozas Miltinis, Banionis was appointed the chief director of the Panevėžys Theater, assuming, in addition to problems of a creative nature, the entire burden of purely economic problems: preparation for tours, replenishment of the troupe. Banionis led the theatre until the year 1988. The performances staged during this time included "Amadeus", "Three sacks of weeds" and "Evening".[2][3]

In the 1990s, the actor performed in the plays "Mindaugas" by Justinas Marcinkevičius (1994), "On the Golden Lake" by Ernest Thompson (1996), "The Circle" by Somerset Maugham (1996), "Love Letters" by Albert Garni (1997)[2][3]

Film

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In 1947, Banionis appeared in the film Marytė. However, his cinematic debut is considered to be the film Adam wants to be a Man (1959) by director Vytautas Žalakevičius, then Banionis starred in his picture The Chronicle of One Day (1964).

Banionis' fame came after the film by Žalakevičius Nobody Wanted to Die (1965). The actor's work in the film by Savva Kulish Dead Season (1968) earned him great popularity.[2][3]

Banionis starred in the films Nobody Wanted to Die (1965), The Little Prince (1966), Operation Trust (1967), King Lear (1970), Goya or the Hard Way to Enlightenment (1971), The Life and Death of Ferdinand Luce (1976), Beethoven — Days of a Life (1976), Armed and Dangerous (1976), Commander of the Lucky "Pike" (1972), The Flight of Mr. McKinley (1975), Centaurs (1978), Niccolo Paganini (1982), Zmielov (1985), Living Target (1990), Without Evidence (1992), Anna (1996) Yard (1999), Tadas Blinda, The Beginning (2011), etc.[2][3]

One of the best-known works of the actor was the role of Kris Kelvin in the film of Andrei Tarkovsky Solaris (1972).[2][3]

Other activities

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Banionis was a member of the Jurgis Baltrušaitis Foundation, whose goal is to promote cultural ties and expand humanitarian cooperation between Lithuania and Russia.[2][3]

Member of the CPSU since 1960. Member of the Communist Party of Lithuania. Member of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union of the 9th convocation (1974-1979).[2][3]

He is the author of memoir prose "I've wanted to Act since My Childhood" (2006).[2][3]

Later life and death

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In his later years, the actor suffered from heart problems. He was stitched with a heart stimulant, then he underwent a long rehabilitation course.

Banionis died on 4 September 2014 from a stroke. He was 90 years old.[5]

Honors and awards

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Banionis is a People's Artist of the USSR (1974), winner of the All-Union Film Festival in the category "Best Actor Award" (1966), laureate of the State Prizes of the USSR (1967, 1977, for participation in the films Nobody Wanted to Die and The Flight of Mr. McKinley).[2][3]

His awards include the Order of Gediminas III degree (1994), the medal. Khanzhonkov in the nomination "For outstanding contribution to the cinema" (1999), the Russian Friendship Orders (1999) and Honor (2009), the Grand Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit for Lithuania (2004), the National Award of Lithuania in the field of culture and art (2013).[2][3]

He won several prizes at international film festivals. At the film festival of the CIS and Baltic countries Kinoshok in 1999 he was awarded with a special prize "Lady luck" named after Pavel Luspekaev, "for courage and outstanding merits in creativity."[2][3]

In 1999 he became an Honorary Citizen of the city of Panevėžys.[2][3]

Personal life

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His wife was actress Ona Banionis (1924-2008). They had two sons - Egidijus (1948-1993), a historian, posthumously awarded the State Prize in the field of science, and Raimundas (born in 1957), director.[2][3]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ Peter Rollberg (2016). Historical Dictionary of Russian and Soviet Cinema. US: Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 80–81. ISBN 978-1442268425.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Донатас Банионис. Биография". RIA Novosti. 4 September 2014.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Донатас Банионис - биография, информация, личная жизнь". Shtuki Dryuki.
  4. ^ Suebsaeng, Asawin (5 September 2014). "How the Actor Donatas Banionis Inspired Vladimir Putin to Become a Spy". The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast.com. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  5. ^ "Soviet-Era Actor Who Inspired Vladimir Putin Dies at 90". Hollywood Reporter.com. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2014.
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