Early Life and Education
Ivan Filippovich Yankovsky was born on October 30, 1990, in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. His parents are well-known figures in Russian cinema: his father is actor and director Filipp Yankovsky, and his mother is actress Oksana Fandera. Ivan also has a younger sister named Elizaveta, who is an actress as well.
His education in the arts began early. From the 8th grade, he attended the Moscow International Film School before continuing his studies at the prestigious Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS). In 2013, he graduated from GITIS, specializing in acting and directing under the mentorship of Sergey Zhenovach.
Personal Life
In 2014, Ivan Yankovsky entered into a relationship with Vera Kincheva, the daughter of renowned Russian rock musician Konstantin Kinchev. However, the couple parted ways in 2020.
Since 2020, Ivan has been romantically involved with actress Diana Pozharskaya. Their relationship has seen a significant milestone, as on June 26, 2021, in Moscow, the couple welcomed their son. The child was named after Ivan’s grandfather, the legendary Russian actor Oleg Yankovsky.
Career
Ivan Yankovsky’s acting career began at a young age, with his cinematic debut at the age of 10 in the film “Come Look at Me” (2001). However, it was his role as Andrei Kalyaev in the film “Indigo” (2008) that brought him early recognition. “Indigo” tells the story of individuals with superpowers, with Ivan’s character able to anticipate danger and events.
One of his notable roles came in the film “Rag Union” (2015), directed by Mikhail Mestetskiy. In this film, Ivan portrayed a character he felt a strong connection to—a young man who, after leading and collecting people for a cause, decides to abandon it all for a more sensible path of entering the institute. Ivan mentioned that he could relate to the character’s moments of self-reflection and inner search.
For his role in “Rag Union,” Ivan Yankovsky, along with Vasily Butkevitch, Aleksandr Pal, and Pavel Chinarev, received the prize for “Best Actor” at the XXVI Open Russian Film Festival “Kinotavr” in 2015.
Another successful role for Ivan was playing Pasha Smolnikov in the Russian fantasy film “Guardians of the Night” (2016). His character works as a courier in a department dedicated to combating werewolves and witches. Ivan highlighted his physical preparation for the role, mentioning that he could perform various tricks required, such as hanging and freezing upside down in the air.
In the thriller “The Queen of Spades” (2016), Ivan Yankovsky portrayed Andrei, a young opera singer eager to secure the lead role of Hermann in “The Queen of Spades” opera. His character becomes entangled in a fierce game orchestrated by the experienced opera diva Anna. For his performance in the film, Ivan received the prize for Best Male Lead Actor at the Golden Eagle awards.
Ivan Yankovsky continues to be a rising star in Russian cinema, known for his versatile performances and ability to connect with his characters on a deep level. Through his work, he carries forward the legacy of his talented family while carving out his path in the world of acting.