Meet Yura Borisov, the first Oscar-nominated Russian actor in nearly 50 years: he’s up for best supporting actor for his performance in Anora, but as a child he dreamed of being a cosmonaut
Borisov, who is married and a father of 2, was cast in Sean Baker’s 2024 romantic comedy-drama on the strength of his performance in Russian film Compartment No. 6
Russian actor Yura Borisov has become the first Russian actor to be nominated for an Oscar in almost five decades for his breakout role in Sean Baker’s 2024 romantic comedy-drama movie, Anora.
Borisov, who was nominated for best supporting actor, plays the role of a Russian oligarch’s henchman, Igor. The actor has also received nominations for his role from BAFTA, the Golden Globes, Critics Choice and SAG Awards.
“I was inside my car with my daughters and wife, and my nomination was first and my name was first. And after that … screaming and crying. [It was] a very emotional moment, I can say, for everybody. [Anora is about] connection between people. Between mentalities and nationalities and cultures. … Of course, it’s not easy I know, and everybody knows, but it’s possible. And during this shoot I [felt] that we are different but at the same time we were absolutely similar. And so, for me, it’s about connection between souls and it’s possible,” Borisov said in an interview from Moscow.
Here’s everything to know about Anora’s breakout actor, Yura Borisov.
He never wanted to be an actor
In an interview with Screen Daily in December, the 32-year-old revealed that he never planned to become an actor.
“When I was in kindergarten I wanted to be a cosmonaut, and after that I wanted to be an architect and after that a journalist. Finally, I understood I just wanted to do nothing, and live my life and travel a lot. I feel acting is not a job. I still feel I do nothing in my life,” he said in the interview.
Borisov attended Mikhail Shchepkin Higher Theatre School in Moscow where he trained his acting, dancing and martial arts skills before going on to pursue a career as an actor.
After starring in several local films, he got his big international break in the 2021 romantic thriller Compartment No.6. The film won the Cannes Grand Prix in 2021 and earned Borisov a European Film Award acting nomination.