Death of Nikolai Denisov: actor, poet, playwright — life and work

NIKOLAY DENISOV: ACTOR, POET, “THE SUN KING”

December 19, 2025. Moscow. Nikolai Denisov dies from acute cerebrovascular accident. He's eighty. A month and a half ago he celebrated his anniversary. Made plans. He wasn’t sick.

His granddaughter called him “the holiday man” and the “Sun King.” Colleagues called him “our Ilyich.” Millions knew from TV series and songs.

MosGupRitual expresses condolences to the artist’s family and loved ones.

Biographical facts

Who is Nikolai Denisov:

• Born: October 1, 1945
• Died: December 19, 2025 (80 years old)
• Reason death: acute cerebrovascular accident
• Education: LGITMiK (1970)
• Title: Honored Artist of Russia (2005)
• Theatres: Pskov Drama Theatre, “On Liteiny”, “Benefit Performance”, “Wandering Stars”
• Wife: actress Elena Rubina (died 4 years ago)
• Buried: Donskoye Cemetery, Moscow

Death was sudden. A few days before the meeting, he looked energetic, worked, planned a trip to the concert.

Songs that the country knows

Denisov is the author of the lyrics sung by the main pop voices:

• Valery Leontiev: “Cabaret”, “I'm Groovy”, “Cheri”, “Maple Leaf”, “Night Call”
• Lyudmila Gurchenko
• Edita Piekha
• Nikolai Karachentsov
• Mikhail Boyarsky
• Andrey Mironov
• Sofia Rotaru
• Philip Kirkorov
• Nikolai Baskov
• Larisa Dolina
• Maxim Averin

Multiple winner of “Song of the Year”. Hundreds of texts. Millions of people who sang his words.

MosGupRitual knows: songwriters rarely become famous. But they are the ones who create what remains in the memory of generations.

Actor from favorite TV series

Denisov starred in cult projects:

• “Streets of Broken Lanterns”
• “Deadly Force”
• “Caercaillie”
• “Bhound”
• “No Rules”
• Morozova-2

Character actor. Not a star, but someone without whom there can be no real cinema. A face you recognize. A voice you trust.

Theater and dramaturgy

Fifty years on stage. Pskov Drama Theater. Theater «On Liteiny». «The Comedian's Shelter» «Benefit». “Wandering Stars.”

The musical “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” in the “Baltic House” — his poems and dialogues.

Director Pavel Tikhomirov: “With his departure, we were orphaned. There are no words, and they are meaningless.”

What remains

“Beloved, dear, beloved dad Kolya — our mischievous, lively and restless; our forever young, shining, shining,” wrote granddaughter Anastasia.

Eighty years of life. Fifty — in art. Songs that the country sings. Roles that are remembered. Performances that went on for years.

He will be buried at the Donskoye Cemetery — next to his wife Elena and his father.

MosGupRitual bows its head to the memory of the Honored Artist of Russia Nikolai Denisov.

Happy memory to the “holiday man”. His songs will be sung.

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