Ukrainian theatre and film actor Yuri Yakusha has passed away at the age of 51. This was reported by Wave RBC.UA, citing an official statement from the Kyiv Academic Theatre on Pechersk in Instagram. The artist was among those who stood at the origins of one of Kyiv's key contemporary theatre companies, and he also gained widespread recognition for his roles in television projects, including the political comedy 'Servant of the People', where he played Infrastructure Minister Serhiy Pavlovych. The cause of the artist's death has not been disclosed at the time of publication.
Co-Founder of the Pechersk Theatre
Yuri Yakusha was born on January 6, 1975, in Potsdam, Germany. In 1999, he graduated from the Ivan Karpenko-Kary Kyiv State Institute of Theatre Arts, where he studied in Mykola Rushkovsky's workshop. Together with fellow students under the guidance of Oleksandr Kryzhanovsky, the graduate joined the creation of the Pechersk Theatre. According to the company, this very course formed the creative foundation of the troupe and its artistic principles, becoming part of the theatre's shared history.
How Colleagues Remembered the Artist
At the theatre, Yakusha is remembered as a talented and well-read actor with a special sense of humor. Colleagues noted that he could deliver the funniest things with complete seriousness, and over the years of working together in the company, many amusing stories accumulated. 'Yuri was an extremely talented, well-read actor. And also a person who could tell the funniest things with complete seriousness,' the theatre emphasized. The artist was thanked for his talent, friendship, and shared creative path, noting his participation in landmark productions that became part of the company's history.
Theatre and Screen Biography
Among the Pechersk Theatre productions featuring Yakusha are 'Man of La Mancha', 'Island of Our Love and Hope', 'Harlequin', 'Ionych', and 'The Master and Margarita'. Later, the actor worked at the Kyiv Academic Theatre for Young Spectators on Lypky, where he performed in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'Pollyanna', 'Romeo and Juliet', and 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer', among others. In addition to the stage, his credits included roles in film and television: viewers saw him in 'Return of Mukhtar', 'Million-Dollar Village', and 'Servant of the People'.
Farewell
The farewell ceremony for Yuri Yakusha will take place at the premises of the Pechersk Theatre at 5 Mala Shianivska Street. The exact date and time of the ceremony will be announced additionally, according to the company. The editorial staff of XAB.info expresses condolences to the family, colleagues, and viewers of the artist.
