The wife and children of Askold Zapashny occupy all his time remaining from work at the arena. He, a representative of one of the most famous Russian circus dynasties, together with his brother Edgard, organized his own circus, whose tours not only in our country, but also abroad, are a huge success. older daughter Eva, the wife of the artist Helen, gave birth in 2010, and a year later Zapashny became a father for the second time, and again a little daughter, whom they named Elsa.

With my future wife Askold Zapashny met during a tour in Minsk. Helen was best friend wife of one of his circus friends. Helen is an Israeli citizen, and therefore was a student of the faculty for foreigners. Their romance developed rapidly, and immediately after the wedding, they decided that their family must have many children.

In the photo - Askold Zapashny with his wife and children

The first daughter, Eva, was born in 2010, when Askold was thirty-three years old, and he was already old enough to take this responsibly. important event. The decision to give birth to a second child in a year was also meaningful - the age difference between Askold and his brother Edgard is also a year, and this, according to the artist, best option for children.

Both daughters of Askold were born when he performed in the arena, and each time he received a message from his wife by SMS, and it was very touching for him. Zapashny chose the names for his daughters himself, and approached this very responsibly - Askold wanted them to be beautiful, and at the same time not pretentious.

Helen is a doctor by education, graduated from the conservatory in piano, served in the Israeli army, and currently takes care of her family only. Askold, as best he could, tried to help his wife when the daughters were very young - he got up at night, changed diapers, but the wife, if possible, tried to free her husband from these worries, realizing how tired he was at work.

Today, the children of Askold Zapashny Eva and Elsa have grown up and are already performing at the arena. From their very birth, he said that his daughters would definitely become circus performers and continue the Zapashny dynasty, and for this they would not even have to study at a circus school - he would teach them all the tricks himself, because he had a wealth of experience performing in the circus arena.

Externally eldest daughter she looks more like her mother, and the younger Elsa is a copy of Askold, and her relatives jokingly call her Askold Askoldovna. Eva and Elsa have been traveling with the circus since birth, they know all the artists and animals, and in this their life is very similar to the life of Askold and his brother.

For the first time, the eldest daughter of Askold Zapashny entered the arena when she was three years old, and after that her father began to take her to bow after each performance. When Askold Zapashny's wife was about to give birth to a second child, he dreamed that he would have a son, but it turned out that a daughter was born again. But Helen is sure that they will have more children, and she will definitely give birth to another boy. Askold does not mind, but to the question "how many children Askold Zapashny can have in the future?" replies that no more than four, and even if it will be girls again, on large quantity he doesn't agree.

Helen, realizing that frequent separations can negatively affect the relationship of the spouses, is ready to endure all the inconveniences and difficulties in order to always be with her husband, so they go on almost all tours with the whole family. She got used to this way of life, and even when she stays at home, after a few weeks she asks Askold to take her and her daughters to him. Helen understands that constant communication is necessary not only for her and her husband, but also for their children - with their dad. In addition, they love their uncle very much - Askold's older brother Edgard, who also adores his nieces.

Russia Circus Circus of the Zapashny brothers Dynasty zapashnye Awards Website zapashny.ru Media files at Wikimedia Commons

Askold Walterovich Zapashny(born September 27, Kharkov) - Russian circus performer, representative of the Zapashny circus dynasty in the fourth generation. People's Artist of the Russian Federation (). Artistic director of the Great Moscow Circus (since 2012). Acting artist in the genre of training predatory animals, juggler, vaulter, tightrope walker, segway juggler, roller-skating acrobat.

Biography

Education

Graduated with honors Russian academy theater arts (GITIS). Fluent in English and spoken Chinese. [ ]

Personal life

Wife - Helen Zapashnaya (Raikhlin). Daughters Eva and Elsa, in the spring of 2010, first entered the arena of the Great Moscow Circus, took part in the New Year's show at Luzhniki. [ ]

Creation

Together with his brother, he founded the Zapashny Brothers Circus, became the scriptwriter and director of a number of circus shows, including: Coliseum (2007), Camelot (2008), Sadko (2009), Camelot-2: Viceroy of the Gods" (2010), "Legend" (2011), "K. U.K.L.A.” (2012), "Terrible Force" (2013), "System" (2014), "Mistress of the Dead Lake" (2015), "System-2. Human factor" (2016).

Participation in television projects

Social and political activity

In 2011, together with his brother Edgard, he signed an Appeal by members of the public against the information undermining of confidence in the judicial system of the Russian Federation, which condemned pressure on judicial system against the backdrop of the second trial in the case of the leaders of NK "Yukos".

February 6, 2012 was officially registered as a confidant of Vladimir Putin for the third term. [ ]

In September 2016, like his brother, he became a confidant of the United Russia party in the elections to the State Duma of the VII convocation and a confidant of Moscow Mayor S. S. Sobyanin. [ ]

Member of the Public Council under the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation since 2016.

He is a supporter and active promoter of the circus with animals, speaking on the side of competent and responsible training, which is based on dynastic work experience, the disclosure of the individual abilities of animals and a humane attitude towards wards. [ ]

Awards and achievements

  • 1997 - Winner of the Golden Troika Circus Art Festival in Yaroslavl.
  • 1999 - Honored Artist of the Russian Federation (July 30, 1999) - for merit in the arts .
  • 1999 - The title of "Artist of the Year" from the Union of Circus Workers.
  • 2001 - Laureate of the Moscow Government Prize.
  • 2002 - Laureate of the national award "Circus".
  • 2005 - Laureate International Competition circus artists in Saratov, the main prize "Golden Troika". A special prize for high achievements in circus art was awarded the International Prizes from the China Circus Art Association - the Golden Lion award.
  • 2006 - Together with his brother, he was listed in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest lion jump with a man on his back.
  • 2007 - Laureate of the International Festival-Competition of Circus Art in Izhevsk. - The main award "Golden Bear".
  • 2008 - People's Artist of Udmurtia (October 13, 2008, Udmurtia).
  • 2011 - Winner of the International Festival-Competition of Circus Art in Moscow. Special prize from the Mongolian State Circus and from the Grand Circus "Mundial" (Spain). He also has Public Awards from the Governor of the Kemerovo Region, the Governor of the Bryansk Region and the Governor of the Novosibirsk Region.
  • 2011 - The second time entered with his brother in the Guinness Book of Records for the record trick "The highest column of 3 people on a running pair of horses."
  • 2012 - Laureate of the International Festival-Competition of Circus Arts in Izhevsk and the second time the Golden Bear award for the performance of the equestrian number "Hellas".
  • 2012 - People's Artist of the Russian Federation (March 21, 2012) - for great merits in the field of cinematographic, musical, theatrical, choreographic and circus art
  • 2012 - Order of the "Key of Friendship" (August 31, 2012, Kemerovo region) - for high professionalism, dedication and loyalty to their work .
  • 2014 - Awarded with a commemorative medal and thank you letter from Dmitry Medvedev "For a great contribution to the preparation and holding of the XXII Olympic winter games and XI Paralympic Winter Games 2014 in Sochi”.
  • 2015 - Awarded with a letter of thanks from V. Kolokoltsev - Minister of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation "For active work on the preparation and implementation of a set of measures in 2014 aimed at social support family members of employees of the internal affairs bodies who died in the line of duty, and disabled due to military trauma. (January 20, 2012)
  • 2016 - Awarded honorary diploma from V. Kolokoltsev - Minister of Internal Affairs "For active work on the preparation and implementation of a set of measures in 2015 aimed at social support for family members of employees of the internal affairs bodies who died in the line of duty, and disabled due to military injuries."
  • 2017 - Princess of Monaco, Stefania, presented the prize "For Merit in the Development of the Russian Circus".
  • 2017 - Silver Clown Award at the 41st International Circus Festival in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The brothers expressed their disagreement with the results of the jury voting.
  • 2018 - For assistance and practical assistance in the preparation and implementation of a set of measures aimed at social support for family members of employees of the internal affairs bodies who died during the execution official duties, and disabled due to military trauma, was awarded the badge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia "For assistance to the Ministry of Internal Affairs" (

Walter Zapashny is a world famous tamer. There were legends about his tough character, amazing will and success with women. ABOUT privacy trainer and weekdays "taming" tells him famous son Edgard.

third generation

My dad is from the third generation of circus performers. His grandfather, Carl Thompson, was a clown. Grandfather's daughter, Lydia Karlovna, married Mikhail Zapashny. Before his marriage, Zapashny worked as a porter and was very physically developed. So they accepted him into the room with Ivan Poddubny without any problems. Then Mikhail, together with his young wife, did his number, and they acted like acrobats.

My grandfather had five children: Sergey, Walter, Mstislav, Igor and Nona.

Dad was born in 1928, and, of course, his childhood was spent in the circus, constantly moving with his parents on tour. When he was thirteen, the war began. My grandfather went to the front, and the whole family remained in Leningrad - they were in the blockade. But, fortunately, they managed to get out of the environment. In 1943, the Zapashnys joined the front-line artistic brigade and traveled around the country until the end of the war - they performed. Walter and Mstislav were the first to make a circus number. They, like their parents, were also craft acrobats, but with vaulting elements (this is when the acrobats also throw each other). Then Nona and Igor joined them. Walter, Mstislav, Igor, Sergey and Nona won the First World Festival of Youth and Students with the number “Acrobats-Voltigeurs”.

In 1958, dad turned 30. A turning point. He realized that he had outgrown acrobatics and wanted to do something completely new. And he had the idea to build the first oceanarium in the USSR, his father began to beat the thresholds of the executive committees. But they didn't take him seriously. Then dad had another idea: he immediately applied for 12 different attractions with completely different animals: deer, elk, bison and tigers - if only he was given the opportunity to advance ...

On the poster is the Zapashny family number, Walter is on the far right. Right - Edgard and Askold Zapashny

cannibal

Dad understood that the most difficult thing was to get a room with predators in the Soyuzgostsirke. And so it turned out - almost all the masters of the then circus opposed the father. The fact is that training is really a very complicated matter, you just can’t get into it. There were many cases when people could not cope, and they were killed by animals, or they themselves maimed the animals. Therefore, the officials were afraid. But dad nevertheless achieved his goal - the famous trainer Eder vouched for him and even began to train him.

After three years of rehearsals, right at the premiere, a tragedy occurred: a tigress rushed at her father. He was in intensive care for two months. And then there was a choice: either end your career or continue, and if you continue, then with what animals? He understood that no one would give him new ones, and it was dangerous to work with old ones. Papa decided to work with those animals that had nearly torn him apart just recently - the tigress Bagheera inflicted more than forty lacerations on him and bit his spine. Having attacked, and successfully, once, she felt her strength and, of course, she will try to do it again. And one more thing: when dad began to dig into the history of the tigress who attacked him, who was brought to the USSR from Germany, he found out that Bagheera killed the wife of a German trainer there, and before that, in nature, there were many corpses behind her. But after that, dad worked with Bagheera for another 15 years. He loved her very much, and says that she is one of the most talented people he worked with: an excellent memory, she is physically fit perfectly ... In general, dad got very hard, the animals tore him hard, he was covered in scars and at least , visited the intensive care unit three times.

Walter Zapashny knew how to be both affectionate and tough - both with children and with animals

With a tiger on a leash

Dad was married twice. His first wife, Maritza, is also from circus dynasty, at the beginning of her career, she performed with the “rubber” number (this is when a person bends in all directions), and then she began to work with dad and predators. For many years, dad and Maritza worked together. Their number thundered not only in the Union, but also abroad. But in the 75th marriage of the father and Maritsa was already on the verge. Dad was in Kalinin (now Tver) on rehabilitation after an injury (he was torn by a black panther) and, somehow walking down the street, drew attention to beautiful girl who greeted his friend. Dad found out that she was a student at a local institute, and asked for a lecture there. He came to the institute with a tiger on a leash. I gave a lecture, then I found that girl in the hall and said right from the stage: “I really like you, let's meet.” He was forty-seven and she was eighteen. It was my mom. My father had just arrived from Australia then, he had a cowboy suit, and at night he came to his mother on a date on a horse. It was impossible to resist. Dad knew how to take care of. Exactly one year later, I showed up. And a year later - my brother Askold. When dad divorced Maritsa, the communist Zapashny was reprimanded for "immoral behavior in everyday life" and banned from traveling abroad for 15 years.

Little Edgard and Askold have been playing with tiger cubs since childhood. Under the supervision of mom and dad, of course

Children in a cage

As a child, like most circus children, my father and I went always and everywhere. For six months he only stayed in Moscow or St. Petersburg. In other cities - a maximum of two months. Therefore, my brother and I changed five or six schools a year. Dad never did homework with us and never showed up at our school. But he checked the diary and very harshly, sometimes severely punished for bad grades. Our education has always stood for dad in the first place. He was not as exacting in rehearsals as he was in our school affairs. For the three could easily embed, deprive of anything. He hired us additional teachers, piano and drawing tutors. On the other hand, he spoiled us a lot. Dad was a highly paid artist. The salary in the country was 75-120 rubles a month, and dad received 25 rubles for going out, with a norm of 35 performances a month, i.e. he received more than a thousand rubles a month! So we had everything at home. Dad bought the most expensive toys, and he bought us the first computer for 5,000 rubles at an auction in Riga. At the same time, I repeat, for bad grades or for poorly stretched socks at rehearsals, the scars on our body did not go away for several days.

Every year we all went to the circus recreation center near Adler. But for me and my brother there was practically no rest. At 7 in the morning we ran cross-country, then - “got up on our hands, pulled ourselves up, did push-ups” ... We came to the beach while swimming, dad was looking for comfortable pebbles for us. And, as soon as my brother and I got out of the water, he put them into our fists, like supports for tightrope walkers, and we began to make racks on these pebbles ...

The first time my brother and I entered the cage, either in the first or in the second grade. We then lived in Saratov and quite often took our classmates to rehearsals. And somehow I grunted - dad, can I put it in a cage? And dad realized that “pontyara” was rushing out of me. And he says let's go. He removed the most dangerous animals, but still there were lions and tigers in the cage, maybe fifteen. So, when the cage was opened, my brother and I regretted asking for it. Numb, and there is no way back! They hugged dad by the legs from both sides, and he made a circle around the arena. We left the cage feeling like heroes. But then for six or seven years they didn’t even talk about it. We quickly realized that everything was real there.

Between a lion and a horse

In 1998, my father officially retired. We celebrated his seventieth birthday on the stage of the Kremlin Palace (by the way, this was the first and only full-fledged program, which was called “Tigers in the Kremlin”). But even now it is very difficult to get praise from the pope. If he says "okay" - it's already a holiday. Even when my brother and I won competitions, and the auditoriums rose, he came up to us and grumbled: well, why is this not so? What prevented you from doing better? He always wanted everything to be perfect, so that we were the very best. And he was just as demanding of himself, he always wanted to do what others would not do. And he did the impossible. Here, for example, among the miners, there are probably those who go only to proven mines, and those who break through new ones. So dad, figuratively speaking, was one of those who break through. He went and tested on himself whether it would work or not. As a result, he did things that no one can repeat until now. For example, an attraction with a trio of lions harnessed. It's just to think about it! You need three lions that can easily tear, put side by side, put on a harness ... It's almost impossible. Or here is a number in which two horses gallop around the arena, a lion runs out and jumps on them. And in the center is dad on a horse. How purely technically to do this, I know. But I saw how ten rehearsals go smoothly, and on the eleventh the lion jumps not on the horse, but on the horse, or the lion tries to jump, and the horse freaks out and meets him with his hind legs. Or the lion jumps and the horse slips, they fall together, and the lion begins to thrash about, and the horse cannot get up because of the heavy harness. There are a million situations when dad found himself between a lion and a horse. My father had about five such serious tricks. Some of his numbers my brother and I understand how to do, but we still cannot decide.

Recorded by Aglaya Smirnova

Photo from the archive of the Zapashny family

Askold Zapashny - producer, Honored and People's Artist of the Russian Federation. He is the artistic director of the Great Moscow Circus, which is located on Vernadsky Avenue. To see the grandiose shows of legendary trainers called "Sadko", "Camelot" and "Legend", "K.U.K.L.A." and "System", many spectators regularly come and leave the circus performance in a state of complete admiration.

Askold Valterovich Zapashny is the youngest representative of the famous Zapashny circus dynasty. Dynasty, which has four generations. Circus performers were not only their parents, but grandparents and great-grandfather. He is a German by origin, an eccentric clown Karl Thompson, who performed in Russia under the stage name Milton.

It is difficult to say exactly who Askold and his brother are by nationality, because the family has different roots.

To follow in the footsteps of famous ancestors and continue the glorious circus dynasty was written in the family for Milton's great-grandchildren - and Askold Zapashny. The parents even gave bright names to the children, so that they sound beautiful under the dome of the circus and are well remembered.

The family toured the country - such a "nomadic" fate for circus artists. The eldest son Edgard was born in Yalta, but for a year the youngest Askold was born in September 1977 in Ukrainian Kharkov.


Zapashnye specialized in training predatory animals. This most dangerous profession more than once put the life of their parents, Walter and Tatyana Zapashny, on a thin line beyond which this life could end. Terrible wounds remained on the legs of the mother after the attack of the tiger. And one can talk about the injuries received by the father for hours: numerous fractures of the limbs, lacerations and even a fracture of the neck, after which Walter Zapashny miraculously returned to life.

However, such a life - always on the verge - turned out to be the only possible and familiar for parents. She became the same for Askold Zapashny and her older brother.


Future trainers studied in the same class, although there was a difference of one year between them. So decided the father, who saw the future of his sons under the dome of the circus. The family traveled to many large cities in Russia, so the boys changed several schools. However, this did not give them the right to study somehow: strict father. And although he was terribly tired after exhausting training and difficult rides, he always found time to raise his sons.

The circus biography of Askold Zapashny began at an early age. He went to the arena as a child, but the boy took part in the first circus number when he was 10 years old. The official debut is considered to be on stage at the age of 11. Then, in the winter of 1988-89, the Zapashnys toured in Riga. Askold and Edgard participated in the number "Time Machine", which was warmly received by the audience.

Career

In 1991, Askold Zapashny went to the Middle Kingdom with his family. The onset of the "dashing 90s" put their wards on the brink of starvation, because the required provisions for lions and tigers are a considerable daily expense. And in the 90s, it became more and more difficult to buy food for animals every day.

Fortunately, a solution was found. The Chinese offered parents a lucrative contract. At that time, the sons graduated from high school. There were no barriers to travel abroad.


IN famous place recreation, the Safari Park in the suburbs of Shenzhen, a summer circus was erected for the Zapashnys. The duties of Walter Zapashny included training Chinese trainers. The sons also participated in the process. And to be different from the Chinese, they became blond.

Askold Zapashny learned a difficult Chinese which he still owns today. During these years, he learned to juggle while standing on horseback and train monkeys. Later, in this type of training, he and his brother reached such heights that they received the main prize "Golden Troika" from the First All-Russian Festival-Competition of Circus Art, which was held in Yaroslavl in 1997.


In addition, Askold Zapashny is a wonderful acrobat-voltager, tightrope walker, segway juggler and roller skating acrobat.

After the end of the Chinese contract, the circus family returned to Moscow. During these years they toured a lot, touring and all big cities post-Soviet space, and distant foreign countries. We even visited Japan.

And also Askold and Edgard Zapashny at that time began to work with lions and tigers. In 1998, the father handed over to his sons the famous attraction "Among the Predators". Askold and his brother adopted from him the wisdom of training predatory animals and developed this dangerous and beautiful art. Askold Zapashny with the author's trick "The longest jump on a lion" is included in the Guinness Book of Records.


Soon the brothers created their own circus, calling it the "Circus of the Zapashny brothers." He is distinguished by a special style that none of his colleagues either in the country or abroad has.

In 2012, Askold Zapashny became the artistic director of the Great Moscow State Circus. Edgard took over as director.

Askold Zapashny in the show " glacial period»

In 2013, the brothers presented the show "Emotions ..." at the circus on the Fontanka. The peculiarity of this program is that each performance can be considered the main one. In the same year, the artist shared in an interview that they started building a 5D circus. And by 2018, maximum by 2021, such a circus will be created in Russia.

Askold Zapashny - real star. Therefore, a man is often invited to television shows. He, along with became a participant in the 4th season of the TV show "Ice Age" in 2013. And he also appeared in the rating TV projects "The Safronov Brothers", "Veselaya Street", "One Hundred to One" and "Dinner Party".

Askold Zapashny in the program "Dinner Party"

Askold Zapashny actively participates in the socio-political life of the country. In 2011, together with his brother, he signed an Appeal from members of the public, which condemned the pressure on the judiciary in the case of the leaders of Yukos.

And in the spring of 2014, Zapashny Jr. signed an appeal by cultural figures of the Russian Federation, who expressed support for the president's policy on the annexation of Crimea.

Askold Zapashny in the program "Legends of the Circus"

In 2015, Zapashny became the hero of the Legends of the Circus project, where the trainer's brother acted as the host.

In the same year, the artist participated in the filming of a series about life. On the working site, Askold was unexpectedly attacked by the tigress Shakira and cut the artist's thigh with a blow of her paw. Zapashny was immediately sent to the hospital.

Askold Zapashny in the program "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?"

In January 2016, Askold Valterovich participated in the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? program. Paired with famous artist actress played.

In September, Askold, like his brother, in the elections to the State Duma of the VII convocation became a confidant of the party " United Russia».

Personal life

For a long time, the famous trainer was considered an enviable groom. Handsome, famous, rich, prominent (Askold's height is 177 cm) - behind the heart young man crowds of beauties hunted. But later it became known that the personal life of Askold Zapashny was arranged. He also had two charming daughters with sonorous names, like everyone else in this glorious circus dynasty, Eva and Elsa.


With his wife Helen Raikhlin, who has Israeli citizenship, the artist met in Minsk, on tour. The girl is Jewish by nationality. At the time of the meeting, he turned 27. Behind him was an 8-year civil marriage with Elena Baranenko, also a circus performer, with whom Askold did not dare to marry. Helen was born in Belarus, but as a child she moved with her parents to Israel. Higher education received in her small homeland.

A beautiful student and several other friends were brought to the circus by Zapashny's friend Andrei. Askold immediately liked the girl. She turned out to be not only charming, but also an intelligent conversationalist, and interesting personality. But the main thing that intrigued the trainer, spoiled by female attention, was that Helen did not know anything about him and did not hear anything until the moment of the meeting.


They dated for three years. These were episodic meetings, because the girl did not quit her studies, and Askold Zapashny could not cancel the planned tour.

obstacles in the way of this beautiful couple turned out to be more than you can imagine. The relatives of each of the young people were not too happy about this union. Helen Reichlin's parents dreamed of a Jewish son-in-law, preferably a doctor. And the family of the circus artist saw Askold's wife as a girl from the "circus" circle, who would understand and share a specific lifestyle.


However, love stepped over obstacles, and two charming daughters only sealed this marriage.

In one interview, Askold's mother, Tatyana Zapashnaya, recalled that at first she did not treat her daughter-in-law very well, and then she fell in love with the girl. The woman also mentioned the spree of her son from his wife. Then Tatyana told Askold that even if he parted with Helen, she would remain in the family.

In 2016, Eva and Elsa performed for the first time under the dome of the circus together with the famous dad and uncle. If they tie future life with the circus, they will turn out to be circus artists in the 5th generation, continuing the glorious Zapashny dynasty.


Thousands of fans are watching the artist on the social network Instagram”, where Askold uploads personal and work photos and videos. Often, animal rights activists write in the comments to the pictures to tell the trainers to close the show.

More Zapashny leads "

Edgard Zapashny is a world-famous tiger trainer, a representative of a famous circus dynasty. Since 2012, the People's Artist has headed the Great Moscow State Circus.

early years

Edgard was born in Yalta on July 11, 1976 in the family of Walter and Tatyana Zapashny. He grew up in a circus environment and, together with his brother Askold and sister Maritza, early age started participating in performances. The whole trinity did not actually have a “normal” childhood, but even then it was a completely conscious choice: the Zapashnys themselves wanted to continue the work of their father and uncle, so they did not see themselves outside the career of trainers.


Career

Edgard's debut in front of the audience took place in the Baltic States in 1989.


The perestroika years turned out to be difficult for the Zapashnys. In 1991, they accepted the offer of the Chinese side and moved to the Middle Kingdom to permanent job. The move was primarily due to the financial side of the issue: not only artists were in poverty, but also animals, which had nothing to support. The Chinese authorities organized a large temporary circus for the Zapashnys near the city of Shenzhen.

Edgard began to perform in conjunction with Askold and visited a number of countries during the tour. Among other things, the brothers visited their homeland and thought about returning, especially since their five-year contract was already expiring.


Since 1998, Edgard and Askold Zapashny officially began to manage the family show "Among the Predators", which their father inherited. The brothers changed it for themselves, although in many ways they remained true to tradition.

In 1999, Edgard was awarded the title of Honored Artist of Russia. He increasingly found himself in front of the camera lens, actively promoting his shows and participating in various programs. The shooting of Edgard in the program "King of the Ring" in 2007 turned out to be especially spectacular. He fought skillfully and reached the final, where he met with Evgeny Dyatlov and, by decision of the judges, won on points. Between 2008 and 2011, Zapashny published 4 books, both in co-authorship and independently.

Edgard Zapashny with a lion cub

Edgard appeared in videos of various performers of all genres: from rocker Valery Kipelov to the pop group Disco Crash.

One of the major cinematic projects of the trainer is the role in the film by Yuli Gusman “Don't be afraid, I'm with you! 1919 ”, where Polad Bul-Bul oglu, Lev Durov, Mikhail Efremov, Igor Zolotovitsky and other actors also starred.


Among the series where Edgard played in episodes or cameos, one can single out the series " father's daughters» Alexander Rodnyansky and Vyacheslav Murugov, « Cool guys"With Nikolai Naumov in the foreground and "Interns", which re-discovered Ivan Okhlobystin to the viewer.

In 2012, the trainer became People's Artist. Then he took vacant position director of the Great Moscow State Circus, which bears the name "Circus on Vernadsky Avenue" in the philistine environment. At the same time, Zapashny did not stop performing and regularly went under the dome with his wards.


Edgard initiated the creation of a KVN team based on the BMGTS. She quickly made it to the Major League and even made it to the finals. In part, their presence on stage is an advertisement for the circus run by Zapashny. He goes to the games, and sometimes helps on stage or participates in the preparation of commercials for video contests.


Edgard offered Channel One and Alexey Pimanov personally to make a series about Margarita Nazarova. The idea was implemented in 2016. The main roles in the project were played by Olga Pogodina and Andrey Chernyshov. Zapashny filmed himself and attracted his circus to stage tricks with animals.

Personal life of Edgard Zapashny

Being a public person, Edgard does not seek to flaunt his personal life. Fans and journalists learned about many of his novels after the fact.

For 13 years Zapashny lived in civil marriage with colleague Elena Petrikova. According to the artist, they should have got married, if not for his "youth". He always spoke of Elena with an exceptionally kind word.

Edgard Zapashny now

In March 2018, members of the Zapashny family, as well as their friends, gathered at the Novodevichy Convent for the baptism of Stephanie and Daniel. This event Edgard gave wide publicity, although he is usually secretive about his personal life.

The trainer not only actively uploads photos to in social networks, but also often responds to subscribers, both to positive comments and negative ones, entering into controversy on a particular issue.

In June 2018, Edgard opposed the initiative of some animal rights activists to ban petting zoos in the country, but still called for prescribing for them general rules and increase control.