The People's Artist of Russia died after a long illness on February 4, 2017.

      President of the all-Russian national theatre festival and award "Golden Mask", Georgy Taratorkin was 72 years old.

      The actor gained universal acclaim and glory all over the Soviet Union with his role of Rodion Raskolnikov in The Crime and Punishment directed by Lev Kulidzhanov in 1969. That Raskolnikov is still regarded as probably the best one in the world film history.

      After such a triumph Georgy Taratorkin was invited to the  Mossovet Theater, where he worked from 1974 and played several other roles in stage productions after Dostoevsky.

      Altogether he has played in 60 films.

      Georgy Taratorkin was the all-time President of the "Golden Mask" Award and Festival, the most important theatrical events in this country.