The multimillion-dollar audience knows and loves his brilliant humorous monologues “Meeting at the Distillery”, “Crayfish”, “Sidorov - Cashier”. He is in demand at concerts, the audience goes "to him."
The people passionately love the artist and widely cite his reprisals.
He created vivid images in the cinema: Schwonder ("Dog Heart"), Poplavsky ("Master and Margarita"), Solomon ("Promised Heaven). Of course you recognized him. This is the national artist of the Russian Federation, the actor of the Theater of Miniatures - Roman Kartsev.
Capitalist with a capital letter
He was born on 05/20/1939 in Odessa. All the work of Kartsev (now he lives and works in Moscow) can be interpreted as a declaration of love to his childhood city. In his inner world, a special place is occupied by the reflection of what he saw on the coastal streets, a cheerful irony from what he and his friends experienced. The secret of success of the artist’s creativity is in the depth of understanding of people, in humanity. It seems that the whole world surrounding us is somehow peculiarly funny and ironic. He was given a special gift: to speak with the viewer in confidence, so that everything that was said was recognizable by people. That's why the eyes of his listeners light up, he becomes warm and joyful, and his lips are extended in smiles.
Roman Kartsev is in demand as an artist. Being an incorrigible optimist, Roman Andreevich now radiates positive views on the viewer in his youth, even at the age of 76. He has his own unique charisma. His creative evenings always take place with a full house.
Parents of the actor
They began to call Kartsev later. Such a stage name was taken by Roman Katz, an Odessa guy dreaming about the stage. His family spoke Yiddish. My mother’s grandfather served as a synagogue cantor (singer). During the Nazi occupation, the Roman family suffered a heavy loss: all grandfathers and grandmothers died.
Fortunately, the parents survived. The father of the future artist Anshel Zelmanovich Katz played the striker of the Tiraspol football team before the war. From him, Roman Kartsev took over the love of football. Perhaps in the war he was saved by good physical preparation. Fate protected him. He was lucky to escape from the Nazi death camps. He was able to return home only in 1946. After the victory over fascist Germany he was sent to the war in Manchuria. Father further worked as a coach.
Full name Roman’s mothers - Fuchsman Sura-Leia Ruvinovna. She worked as an OTC controller in a shoe factory, and was a party organizer. During the war, Roman Kartsev and his brother stayed with their mother in Omsk. They, who returned to Odessa, were awaited by a blow: the housing of the family turned out to be occupied. Sheltered relatives. It was crowded and hungry. Family life returned to normal when father returned.
Becoming an artist
After graduating from school, Roman worked as a worker in a garment factory. His hobby was the drama club at the club of sailors. An amateur actor was noticed and in 1960 was taken to the Parnas-2 Theater, where he performed under the pseudonym that is now on everyone’s lips.
In the theater, he meets his stage partner Viktor Ilchenko. Two years later, talented like-minded people left Odessa for Arkady Raikin at the Miniature Theater.
Arkady Isaakovich had a lot to learn! His fellow countryman worked in his team, a talented author of miniatures - Mikhail Zhvanetsky. Evidence of the increased artistic level of the creative tandem Kartsev-Ilchenko was the participation in the All-Union competition of pop artists in 1969. They wanted to grow further. However, Arkady Isaakovich preferred to keep young talents in check, was an authoritarian administrator.
In 1970, having escaped from under the wing of the master to his native Odessa, Mikhail Zhvanetsky, Viktor Ilchenko and Roman Kartsev organized their miniature theater.
The biography of a person who in the past was named Roma Katz has changed diametrically. Young like-minded people, of course, had a lot of difficulties. In a sense, it was easier behind Arkady Isaakovich, who easily solved all the social issues of his assistants. But now, Roman Kartsev was building his own destiny.
Looking ahead, let's say that a decade later, creative Odessa residents who have achieved recognition will return to Moscow and will again perform on the stage of the main Theater of Miniatures of the country.
Decent filmography
Kartsev, dreaming of cinema, seriously worked on his acting skills. Evidence of this is the graduation in 1972 of the acting faculty of GITIS. And the world of cinema accepted it! His filmography began with the tape “Hard Day - Monday” and includes popular films: “The Magic Voice of Gelsomino”, “Bindyuzhnik and King”, “Dog Heart”, “Old Nags”, “Prediction”, “Promised Heaven”. He played with dignity with the best artists: Valentin Gaft, Leah Akhidzhakova, Oleg Basilashvili.
Decency of Roman Andreevich
Later, he himself will give an assessment of his formation. He is immensely grateful to the initiative of his partner (unfortunately, the deceased) Viktor Ilchenko. It was his idea to go to Raikin. Kartsev admires Arkady Isaakovich, who for seven years brought up two real Odessa amateur actors who are real artists. And, of course, worthily appreciates the role of his friend, the tireless generator of creative ideas and magnificent texts - Mikhail Zhvanetsky. It is common for Roman Kartsev to never forget about the people who helped him at various stages of his life.
He is a good family man. His rear is now represented by his wife Victoria Pavlovna Kassinskaya, daughter Elena Kassinskaya, son Pavel Kassinsky. There are grandchildren: Leonid and Nika (Elena’s children).
Instead of a conclusion
As before, Roman Kartsev lives in his work. The photos captured him at the desk is no coincidence. Indeed, in addition to acting, a recognized master of miniatures and characteristic episodic roles now also successfully writes books. The first authorial novel, “Little, Sukhoi, and the Writer,” was expected to be autobiographical. (it’s easy to guess who the title is about). The second novel “I dreamed of Chaplin” introduces us to the inner world of Roman Andreyevich himself.
Admittedly, both books are a success. Perhaps because of the author’s ability to succeed at work. He himself explained that he perceives himself, rather, not as a writer, but as an actor, improvising on paper. And connoisseurs of his talent know that it is not easy to replay in Kartsev’s improvisation.