How one actor became the face of a medieval Russian hero for history
In short: Nikolay Cherkasov was a titan of Soviet cinema, yet his most enduring legacy is a case of mistaken identity. Because no authentic portraits of the medieval prince Alexander Nevsky survived, the Soviet state used Cherkasov’s cinematic portrayal of the figure to design the official Order of Alexander Nevsky medal.
Born in Saint Petersburg in 1903, Nikolay Cherkasov rose from a humble background as the son of a railway clerk to become one of the most celebrated actors in the Soviet Union. His early career began in 1919 as a mime artist at the Maryinsky and Bolshoi Theatres, followed by formal training at the Institute of Stage Arts. By the time he graduated in 1926, he was poised for a prolific career that spanned stage and screen, eventually earning him the title of People's Artist of the USSR in 1947.
Cherkasov is best remembered for his monumental collaborations with director Sergei Eisenstein. He took on the title roles in the historical epics Alexander Nevsky in 1938 and the two-part Ivan the Terrible, filmed in 1944 and 1946. While the second part of Ivan the Terrible faced suppression by Soviet authorities and did not see a wide release until 1958, Cherkasov remained a favorite of Stalin. His versatility was evident in his range, moving from the comedic role of Jacques Paganel in the 1936 adaptation of Jules Verne’s work to the titular lead in the 1957 film Don Quixote.
Beyond his performances, Cherkasov was a significant cultural figure who documented his experiences in his 1951 memoirs, Notes of a Soviet Actor. His impact on the national consciousness was so profound that when the Soviet government created the Order of Alexander Nevsky, they utilized his likeness from the 1938 film to represent the medieval prince. Cherkasov died in 1966 in Leningrad and was interred at the Tikhvin Cemetery, located within the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, cementing his status as a master of his craft whose image became inseparable from the historical figures he portrayed.
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