Mark Aleksandrovich Eydelshteyn, born on February 18, 2002, in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, is a distinguished Russian actor renowned for his compelling performances in both domestic and international cinema. His portrayal of Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov in the critically acclaimed American film “Anora” (2024) has cemented his status as a rising star in the global film industry.
Early Life and Education
Eydelshteyn hails from a Jewish family with a strong artistic background. His mother, Olesya Valeryevna Eydelshteyn, is a dialect coach, and his father is a sports journalist. Growing up, Mark often found himself memorizing literary passages as a form of discipline, a practice that later fueled his passion for acting. In 2018, he participated in the “Living Classics” competition for young readers, reaching the all-Russian final held in Artek. This experience led him to pursue formal training at the Moscow Art Theatre School, from which he graduated in 2023.
Career
Eydelshteyn’s cinematic journey began with his leading role in “The Land of Sasha” (2022), a coming-of-age drama that premiered at the 72nd Berlin International Film Festival. His performance garnered attention, earning him the moniker “Russian Timothée Chalamet” from various media outlets.
In 2024, Eydelshteyn achieved international acclaim for his role in Sean Baker’s “Anora,” a film that won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. His portrayal of Ivan “Vanya” Zakharov showcased his versatility and depth as an actor, contributing to the film’s critical and commercial success.
Expanding his repertoire, Eydelshteyn was cast in the second season of the Amazon Prime Video spy series “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” in December 2024, marking his foray into American television.
Filmography
Film:
- 2021: “First Snow” as Pavel ‘Pasha’
- 2022: “The Land of Sasha” as Sasha
- 2023: “Pravednik” as Moshe Tal
- 2024: “One Hundred Years Ahead” as Nikolai ‘Kolya’ Gerasimov
- 2024: “We Need to Make Films about Love” as Mark
- 2024: “Anora” as Ivan ‘Vanya’ Zakharov
- TBA: “Buratino” as Artemon
Television:
- 2021: “Crash” as Mister Dukey
- 2021: “Sixteen +” as Fil
- 2022: “The Gig” as Senya
- 2022: “The Monastery” as Yura
- 2024: “Clean” as Veniamin
- 2024: “Display Copy” as Young Grigori Perelman
- 2024: “Pharma” as Anton
- TBA: “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” as Mr. Smith (Season 2)
Mark Eydelshteyn’s journey from Nizhny Novgorod to international acclaim exemplifies his dedication and talent. As he continues to take on diverse roles, audiences worldwide eagerly anticipate his future projects.
