Oleg Vidov was an American actor, best known for his roles in “Red Heat,” “Wild Orchid,” and “Thirteen Days.” Born in the USSR, he gained fame in Russia before moving to the United States.
Personal and Family Life
Oleg Borisovich Vidov was born on June 11, 1943, in Filimonki, near Moscow. He lived with his mother, a teacher, as she worked for the Soviet government, often moving to different places. He had two marriages before his final one to Joan Borsten in 1989, with whom he remained until his death. Oleg had one child from his first marriage to Natalia Fedotova.
Career
Vidov began his acting career at 18, being accepted into the prestigious VGIK film school. Over his career, he featured in over 50 films and was recognized as a sex symbol in Soviet cinema. After defecting to the U.S. in 1985, he continued to act and became involved in distributing Russian animation worldwide.
Death and Legacy
Oleg Vidov passed away on May 15, 2017, in Westlake Village, California, due to pancreatic cancer. His contributions to film and animation left a lasting impact, particularly in promoting Russian animation to international audiences. Vidov is remembered both for his acting talent and his work behind the scenes in the film industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Orchid | 1989-12-22 | Otto Munch |
| Джентльмены удачи | 1971-12-13 | ст. лейтенант Владимир Николаевич Славин |
| Сказка о царе Салтане | 1966-05-13 | Tsarevich Gvidon |
| Red Heat | 1988-06-17 | Yuri Ogarkov |
| Thirteen Days | 2000-12-25 | Valerian Zorin |
| The West Wing | 1999-09-22 | Lipecki |
| Monkey Love | 2002-06-12 | Professor Dworkin |