Vladislav Galkin

Vladislav Galkin (25 December 1971 – 25 February 2010) was a highly popular Russian actor who starred in fifty seven films including several TV serials, such as Spetsnaz (2002), The Master and Margarita (2005–2006) and Dikari (2006).

On 27 February 2010, Galkin was found dead in his apartment, and the cause of death was said to be cardiac arrest. However, according to his family and friends, he was murdered based on evidence indicating the presence of other people in his room just before his death and the disappearance of $130,000 from his apartment. The police (Militsiya) dismissed this version. Galkin's death was mourned by many who demanded finding those responsible for his death.

For millions of viewers, especially those outside Russia, Galkin is remembered as the poet Ivan Bezdomny (Homeless) in Vladimir Bortko's much lauded film version of Mikhail Bulgakov's epic novel The Master and Margarita. In the Bortko film series, the character Bezdomny witnesses the murder (of sorts) of his friend. When he tries to tip off the authorities to the improbable sequence of events, their reaction is to lock him up in a mental hospital. Subsequent events vindicate Bezdomny, and he eventually comes to be at peace with the suffering he was caused, in part thanks to his increased understanding gained in visits from the Master.

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