In 1954 he studied at FZO No. 1 (Kharkov) to become a carpenter, then worked on the restoration of Kharkov University, while also completing evening school for working youth and attending a theater studio. In 1965 he graduated from the acting faculty of the Kharkov Theater Institute (workshop of Professor T.K. Olkhovsky). From 1965 he worked at the Odessa Theater for Young Spectators. In 1965-1966 he served in the Soviet Army, where in 1966 he completed officer courses in Ivanovo and received the rank of "junior engineer-lieutenant". In 1968-1974 he worked at the Ivanovo Drama Theater.

At the same time he led the theater studio "Sovremennik" at the Institute of Chemical Technology, and for 2.5 years taught directing and acting at the Ivanovo Cultural and Educational College. From 1974 he was an actor at the Pushkin Pskov Academic Drama Theater. At the same time he taught at the theater studio "Tatyanin Den" at the Pskov Pedagogical Institute. From 2001 he was a director and actor at the Vladimir Drama Theater. From 2002 he was an actor at the Gorky Moscow Art Academic Theater.