Birthday of Natalya Varley

On June 22, 1947, in the Romanian city of Constanta, a daughter, Natalya, was born into the family of the sea captain Vladimir Viktorovich Varley and his wife Ariadna Sergeevna (nee Senyavina).

Vladimir Viktorovich Varley came from a family of descendants of immigrants from Wales. In the 19th century, a Russian horse breeder brought two brothers-jockeys out of Wales. Those took root in Russia, put down roots. Vladimir Viktorovich became a descendant of one of the brothers. Hence the surname, which is not quite familiar to the Russian ear. And Natalya's mother, Ariadna Sergeevna, was the granddaughter of Eugene Barbot de Marni, whose grandfather moved from France to Russia.

Natalia Varley spent her early childhood in the city of Murmansk, where her father once served as chairman of the city executive committee. In the late 50s, the Varley family moved to Moscow. Here Natasha developed health problems related to rheumatism. Doctors advised gymnastics classes as a therapeutic remedy, and Natasha's parents sent her to the children's studio at the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard. This decision predetermined Natasha's profession: in the early 60s, she entered the State Circus and Entertainment Art college. After graduating with honors from this school in 1965, she began working as an equilibrist in the Circus on Tsvetnoy Boulevard.

Natalia's partner in one of the circus acts was the famous Soviet clown Leonid Yengibarov. Once Yengibarov invited his friend, novice filmmaker Georgi Yungvald-Khilkevich ("D'Artagnan and Three Musketeers", "Higher Than Rainbow") to the performance. The director liked the young equilibrist, and he invited Natasha to star in his film. Natasha agreed. The film "Formula of Rainbow" was the first in Natalia Varley's cinematic career, but it was not released on screens. But the filming was attended by the assistant of another filmmaker - Leonid Gayday, who at that moment began work on the film "Kidnapping Caucassian Style, or Shurik's New Adventures". This assistant invited Natalya to take part in the auditions for the filming of Gayday's film.

According to some sources, about 500 girls took part in the competition for the role of Nina in Gayday's film. Including already famous actresses, for example, Natalia Fateeva, Anastasia Vertinskaya. But Gayday chose Natalya Varley. The choice in favor of the applicant without cinematic experience (no one saw the film "Formula of Rainbow") was explained by her circus experience. After all, scenes were supposed that required mountaineering skill. True, Natalya's lack of acting experience made itself felt, and Nadezhda Rumyantseva spoke for her, and Aida Vedischeva sang. But Natalya climbed the mountain herself.

The role in "Kidnapping Caucassian Style" instantly made Natalya Varley a star and a sex symbol of Soviet cinema. Hundreds of offers showered, and not only new roles, but also hands and hearts. Both from completely unknown gentlemen, including prisoners, and quite famous and popular actors, for example, from Leonid Filatov. And even from abroad: the proposal to Natalya was made by the son of the Minister of Defense of Belgium. But Natalya chose Nikolai Burlyaev ("Ivan's Childhood", "Andrei Rublev"). True, this marriage lasted less than one year.

The stunning success in the film "Kidnapping Caucassian Style" did not turn the head of the young actress. She realized the lack of her professional skills, dropped out of the circus and entered the Shchukin Theater School. But before that, she starred in the role of Pannochka in the film "Viy" directed by Georgy Kropachev and Konstantin Ershov. This film, based on the story of Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol, is considered the first Soviet horror film. And in this film, Natalya Varley spoke in the voice of another actress - Clara Rumyanova. Studying at the theater school, of course, affected Varley's professional skills: since 1980, she herself began to voice other actresses, however, foreign ones. For example, Sophie Marceau speaks in the voice of Natalia Varley in the film "L'étudiante", Verónica Castro in the television series "Rosa salvaje".

For her 74th birthday, Natalya Vladimirovna Varley has 23 full-length feature films in her filmography, not counting a large number of roles in theatrical performances and television films. 3 films with Natalya Varley's participation are included in the Golden Thousand. Thanks to this indicator and her beauty, Natalya Varley is included in the list of the 100 most beautiful and sexy Actresses in world cinema, compiled by FilmGourmand.

As usual, to celebrate the birthday of the wonderful Actress, we offer to the attention of her fans shots from the best films with her participation.