FRUNZIK
(Mher) MKRTCHYAN
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1930 - 1993
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1930
The
Life of Frunzik
Mher Mkrtchyan better known by the name Frunzik was born on July 4, 1930, in Leninakan (present day Gyumri).
His parents were
Father Mushegh Mkrtchyan and mother Sanam Mkrtchyan, both of whom were orphaned survivors of the Armenian genocide. Mushegh Mkrtchyan fled to Gyumri from Mush, while Sanam escaped the genocide from Van.
His parents met while they were working in a local Leninakan Textile factory that was created in the 1924s, with Mushegh later going on to work as a bricklayer and Sanam as a dishwasher.
Siblings
Mher Mkrtchyan was the eldest of four children.
He had one brother, Albert Mkrtchyan (born February 27, 1937, in Leninakan), who later became a film director, and two sisters: Clara Mkrtchyan (born December 2, 1934, in Leninakan) and Ruzanna Mkrtchyan (born in 1943, in Leninakan).
Mher took an interest in the arts, and attended the local art and music school. As a child, he would put on informal shows for people living in the neighborhood. Frunzik's father praised his acting talent, but pressured his son to pursue a painting career.
Family
Wife — Donara Vahagovna Pilosyan
(April 20, 1941, Leninakan — July 16, 2011, Sevan)
An actress of the Sundukyan State Academic Theatre, Donara Pilosyan dedicated her life to the stage.
The couple played in a number of films together, notably Kidnapping, Caucasian Style and Khatabala.
The marriage was initially a happy one, but Donara was diagnosed with schizophrenia and eventually sent to a mental institution for treatment.
Mkrtchyan became a single parent of two young children. Frunzik became immensely depressed by the illness of his wife and his son Vahagn's subsequent inheritance of his mother's mental illness.
Both Donara and Vahagn eventually went to France for treatment.
From 1978, she was under medical care, and from 1994 she continued her treatment at the Sevan psychiatric hospital, where she spent the final 17 years of her life.
Daughter — Nune Mkrtchyan
(June 21, 1959, Yerevan — May 24, 1998, Buenos Aires)
After the passing of her father, she moved with her family to Argentina. In the last years of her life, she battled a serious illness. She passed away in Buenos Aires.
Son — Vahagn Mkrtchyan
(1972, Yerevan — 2004, Yerevan)
He pursued studies in the arts but was unable to complete his education due to health challenges. He spent periods of time receiving medical treatment in Yerevan.
Granddaughter — Iren Terteryan
(born 1984)
In 1994, she moved with her family to Argentina and currently resides in Buenos Aires.
Education
1945-1953
At the age of 15, between 1945 and 1946, he studied at the studio of the Leninakan State Drama Theatre named after Askanaz Mravyan (now the Gyumri State Drama Theatre named after Vardan Ajemyan), marking the beginning of his lifelong dedication to acting.
He continued his formal education from 1953 to 1956 at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Fine Arts, further developing the skills that would define his legendary career.
THEATRE
LIFE
1946
From 1946 to 1953, Frunzik (Mher) Mkrtchyan worked as an actor at the Leninakan State Drama Theatre named after Askanaz Mravyan.
From 1953 to 1978, he was a leading actor at the Armenian Academic Drama Theatre named after Gabriel Sundukyan, where he established himself as one of the most prominent figures in Armenian theatre.
In 1986, he began working on the creation of his own theatre, now known as the Yerevan Artistic Theatre named after Mher Mkrtchyan.
Following his passing, the theatre temporarily ceased its activities.
Between 2002 and 2003, with the support of the Lincy Foundation and the initiative of Albert Mkrtchyan, the Yerevan Artistic Theatre named after Mher Mkrtchyan resumed its work and was officially reopened in 2004.
From 1992 to 1993, he served as the artistic director of the Vardan Ajemyan Artistic Theatre.
Honors & Awards
-
1961
Honored Artist of the Armenian SSR -
1970
Honored Artist of the Dagestan ASSR -
1971
People’s Artist of the Armenian SSR -
1978
First Prize (Children and Youth Category) — for his outstanding portrayal in Soldier and the Elephant -
1978
USSR State Prize — for his performance in Mimino -
1984
People’s Artist of the USSR -
1985
State Prize of the Armenian SSR — for The Song of Old Days and Tango of Our Childhood
1993
The Final Chapter of His Life
In his final years, Frunzik (Mher) Mkrtchyan faced a period of deep personal hardship, affected by his son’s illness and the loss of his close friend and fellow actor, Azat Sherents.
According to family members, these events had a profound emotional impact on him.
His daughter, Nune Mkrtchyan, later recalled that he had a sense his life was nearing its end and spoke with her about how he believed his passing would be received.
On December 29, 1993, Frunzik Mkrtchyan passed away in Yerevan, Armenia.
His funeral was attended by thousands of people, a testament to the immense love and respect he inspired.
He was laid to rest at the Komitas Pantheon in the heart of Yerevan.
Our Frunz
“A true artist never died— he lives on in the hearts of his people.”