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 Oleg
Taktarov is an amazing man. An athlete, an actor, a frequenter of social events
on both sides of the ocean, who is equally comfortable in Moscow and Los
Angeles, Montreal and New York, and even in the little obscure town of Sarov in
Nizhny Novgorod region, where the next ultimate fighting champion was born.
This memorable event happened on August 26, 1967. At that time, the town, being
a typical «mailbox», was known as Arzamas-16. As a child, Oleg engaged in sambo
training and rapidly progressed, turning all his energy to study the martial
art and sparring techniques. Taktarov was a frequent participant in various
sambo competitions in which he scored top places.
By 1994,
Oleg already was a famous athlete and a recognized martial arts expert. Besides,
he had a profitable business in Nizhny Novgorod which gave him confidence to
survive in the economically troubled Russian reality. But Taktarov dreamed of
something else, something bigger. So he decided to participate in the «White
Dragon» Ultimate Fighting Tournament in Riga, and effortlessly became a
champion.
In 1994,
without green card, savings or any knowledge of English, Taktarov left for the
United States to pursue his dream - to become a Hollywood actor. But he was a
highly motivated Russian man who is known for his ability to take on the world
for his dream. All the mountains, rivers and forests of California were at his
disposal. But he had no shelter or residence. During his first months in
America, Taktarov lived in a tiny room with cockroaches and a running boiler which
he shared with demoniacal noisy Mexicans. For three years, Taktarov has been
studying acting at the L.A. Playhouse, a drama school. He earned his living by
engaging in ultimate fighting championships. Even though he wasn't known overseas,
he earned tens of thousands of dollars, as «the Russian Bear» (that's the
nickname he was given in America) always scored victory.
Oleg Taktarov
became a talking point after his victory at the sixth Ultimate Fighting
Championship tournament, when he defeated a former UFC champion, the larger
David «Tank» Abbot in the final battle which lasted for 17 minutes. This fight
has opened the door to Hollywood for him.
Hollywood producers
who are used to getting only the best now invited Taktarov to stage battle
scenes. Over time, he was trusted with small roles of villainous characters and
bad guys from Eastern Europe.
In 2001,
Taktarov worked as a fighting scene director at John Hertzfeld's «15 Minutes»,
and Hertzfeld offered him the role of a criminal, Klaus Nowak. But Oleg was so
professional both as a fighter and an actor, that Hertzfeld and Robert De Niro
who was starring in the movie decided to rename his character to Oleg Razgulov.
As a criminal rampaging through Manhattan with a camcorder to film his
atrocities, Taktarov riveted audiences with a high impact performance that
required him to brutalize De Niro's cop. By the way, he got the «15 Minutes»
job after auditioning with De Niro and competing with more than a thousand
actors for the role. During the shoot, De Niro shared acting advice with
Taktarov, who returned the favor with pointers for realistic fight scenes. The stuntmen
team of the movie has won the most prestigious award in its field, Taurus:
World Stunt Awards, for the realistic action scenes. This award made Taktarov a
Hollywood insider.
By the way,
Robert De Niro was the only movie-maker who came to Taktarov's wedding,
although the latter had sent out a pile of invitations. There was also another
occasion when they flew together from New York to Montreal and had a very nice
conversation. Open and friendly De Niro was totally different from the rude and
taciturn man of the mass media. It is quite possible that in the future, the
great American would invite Taktarov to participate in his projects.
In fact,
Oleg Taktarov loves to mingle with Hollywood celebrities. After the
presentation of the «15 Minutes» the party continued in the house of one of the
movie producers. On his way to kitchen, Taktarov had nearly swept another man
off his feet. The man was also heading for the kitchen. Taktarov took a closer
look and recognized Jack Nicholson. Now, they like to laugh at the funny incident.
Oleg Taktarov is on familiar terms with Nicholas Cage and Warren Beatty. The
only Hollywood celebrity who made a bad impression on Taktarov is self-enamoured
Bruce Willis.
Having
built a successful career in Hollywood, Taktarov returned to Russia. While
contributing to American theatrical and television hits, Taktarov has also
supported the emerging film industry in his homeland by accepting roles in
Russian produced projects. Taktarov wants that the ratio of Hollywood Russian productions
in his filmography was 50x50. Presently, the majority of his 37 projects were
produced overseas.
In 2009, a number of films
featuring Oleg Taktarov will be released, including Viy: The Return, Generation
P, The Way, By the Will of Chingis Khan, and The Goal. Don't miss them.
Inessa Hyder
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