Ukrainian theatre and film actor Volodymyr Gladky, known for the TV series "The District Police Officer from DVRZ" and "ATP Carriers", spoke in an interview with Wave RBC-Ukraine about his independent childhood in Bila Tserkva, his path to the profession, his recent marriage to a girl he has known since childhood, and how he has lived with a diagnosis of Bechterew's disease for ten years. In the conversation, he also candidly evaluated his experience working in Russian projects before 2022 and shared his views on the development of Ukrainian content.
Childhood Without Control: The "School of Life" in Bila Tserkva
Gladky grew up in Bila Tserkva in an atmosphere he describes as completely independent. According to him, his parents did not control him: his mother worked at a factory producing brake pads, and his father went to construction sites in Krasnodar and Moscow, so the child was often left with an aunt, neighbors, or other relatives. The actor recalls that at seven years old he already knew how to peel and fry potatoes, went to the hospital on his own, and spent summer vacations in the village where, according to him, his first love, first kisses, and first disco took place. He emphasizes that no one forced him into anything: he went to dances on his own after seeing a friend invited to a class, and graduated from school without getting any Cs, although he doesn't consider himself an honor student.
The Path to the Profession: From Auto Repair to "Wild Stone"
Before becoming an actor, Gladky worked at a car service station at the age of 15–16 and, by his own admission, saw no future in this profession: "you go on a date, and your hands are blue from engine oil". Then he wanted to become a minibus driver. His first stage experience, by his account, was the role of a robber in a New Year's fairy tale, after which classmates began calling him an "actor". Applying to the Karpenko-Kary Theatre Institute ended in rejection—during the exam, he didn't know who Stanislavski was, and he had never been to a theatre except for "Buratino". Eventually, he enrolled at Poplavsky's university, where, according to the actor, teacher Nina Anatolyivna Bilchenko "saw potential in a wild stone" and began to unlock it.
"A Shameful Page": Perspective on Russian Projects
Answering questions about his career, Gladky critically assessed his filming in Russian projects before 2022, calling this period "a shameful page". He also emphasized the importance of strict rules for the development of quality Ukrainian content and spoke about the contemporary challenges of Ukrainian culture. In the same interview, the actor, who combines a comedic persona with deep self-reflection, confessed that he dreams of portraying Vladimir Putin on screen in the future.
Marriage to Childhood Sweetheart
In the summer, Volodymyr married Natalia, whom, he says, he has known since childhood in the Cherkasy region. The couple held what he describes as a cozy wedding for their closest friends—60 guests. Gladky called her his "childhood sweetheart".
Ten Years with Bechterew's Disease and Frontline Support
Over the past ten years, the actor has been battling Bechterew's disease, an autoimmune disease of the joints and spine. Despite the diagnosis, he continues to play sports, stays positive, and actively volunteers for the Security Forces of Ukraine. In the interview, he also mentioned that he is afraid of silence.
The conversation with Volodymyr Gladky was part of the Wave RBC-Ukraine release: an abbreviated version is published in the text, and the full interview is available on the publication's YouTube channel.
