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Anya Monzikova was born in Vologda, Russia to Natalia Monzikova a single mother of two. When her mom met her step-dad, an American on a vacation to Moscow, fate had brought a new twist to this young girl's life. Her mother re-married and the two moved to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. to live. After only a year in the US, Anya caught the eye of local talent agents and began working as a young commercial actress and model. But it wasn't till a chance vacation to Hollywood, CA, after graduating high school, did fate seal the deal on this star's future. During her vacation a friend introduced this beauty to a group of young creatives working on a pilot. Anya booked the pilot and stayed in Los Angeles to film. When the show didn't go, Anya didn't give up. She found a place to live, enrolled in film production and theater in college and began hitting the audition scene. It wasn't long till she landed a regular job as one of the Deal or No Deal beauties. Getting her foot in the door was just the beginning. In 2006, she was named one of the 100 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine, along with her Deal or No Deal co-stars. She has appeared on numerous magazine covers and has had many editorial fashion spreads in magazine such as Maxim, FHM, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Runway and more. Anya continued her education in acting by enrolling in extensive acting classes to further her craft. Now you can see the fruits of her labor in movies and TV shows such as Iron Man 2, Surrogate, CSI, Cane, Life and Knight Rider just to name a few. Look for her as a recurring in the role of Elena Romanov in the ABC family show Melissa & Joey. She is also a lead in a series called Aspen playing the role of January Beck, a Russian super model. With many more lead roles and magazine covers ahead, keep your eye on this unstoppable talent.

Evgeniy Shirikov was born on 14 July 1988 in Vologda, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor and producer, known for Pancher (2024), Medvezhiy ugol and Slomannaya strela.

Nikolay Olyalin was born on 22 May 1941 in Opikhalino, Vologda Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor and director, known for Night Watch (2004), Day Watch (2006) and Ne otstrelennaya muzyka (1990). He was married to Nelly Ivanovna Olyalina. He died on 17 November 2009 in Kiev, Ukraine.

Elena Rufanova was born in Vologda, USSR. She is an actress, known for Moloch (1999), Remote Access (2004) and Russian Ark (2002).

Igor Botvin was born on 9 December 1973 in Sarayevo, Vologda Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for The Arena (2001), Something for Nothing (2021) and Otets ponevole (2014).

Sergey Orlov was born on 22 August 1921 in Megra village, Olonets Governorate, Russian Empire [now Vologda oblast, Russia]. Sergey was a writer, known for Zhavoronok (1965). Sergey died on 7 October 1977 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia].

I was born in Siberia, Russia. I studied law in Khanty-Mansiysk. Then I graduated Russian Institute of Theatre Arts GITIS - acting and directing workshop of Joseph Reichelgauz (masters Albert Filozov, Alexander Galibin). Film and theater actor since 2011. I found of board games, love specialty coffee (V60 is my favorite way), I play guitar, I study English, Georgian, French. I dubbing actor, Audiobook Narrator, commercials. I like to sort the garbage. Against the war.

Nikita Gorodnichenko was born on 7 March 1996 in Vologda, Russia. Nikita is a cinematographer, known for 1703 (2022), (Ne)sluchayniye istorii (2020) and Tango na oskolkakh (2024).

Vladimir Tendryakov was born on 5 December 1923 in Makarovskaya, Vologda Governorate, RSFSR, USSR [now Vologda Oblast, Russia]. He was a writer and actor, known for Chuzhaya rodnya (1956), Sasha vstupayet v zhizn (1957) and Vesenniye perevyortyshi (1975). He died on 3 August 1984 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia].

Valeri Chikov was born on 22 December 1950 in Churilovka, Totma Rayon, Vologda Oblast, USSR [now Russia]. He was a director and writer, known for Russkaya ruletka (1990), Don't Play the Fool... (1997) and Ne poslat li nam... gontsa? (1998). He died on 8 June 2017.

Varlam Shalamov was born on 18 June 1907 in Vologda, Russian Empire [now Russia]. He was a writer, known for Zaveshchanie Lenina (2007), The Wolfhound Century (2023) and Kolyma. Trilogiya (1991). He was married to Olga Neklyudova and Galina Ignatjewna Hutz. He died on 17 January 1982 in Moscow, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia].

Pavel Belyayev was a Soviet fighter pilot with extensive experience in piloting different types of aircraft. He was the first commander of the cosmonaut corps and the cosmonaut who commanded the historic Voskhod 2 mission which saw the first man walk in space in 1965.

He was born on 26 June 1925, in Chelishchevo, now Babushkinsky District, Vologda Oblast, Russia. In 1942, Belyayev took on temporary work as a turner in a factory and later became a check operator in the Sinarsk pipes factory in support of the war effort. He applied to the special air force school in Sverdlovsk but failed to gain admission. He then attempted to join a fighting ski unit as a volunteer, but was again rejected because he was too young. In 1943, just prior to turning 18, he was called up. He then entered the 3rd Sarapul School where he began training as a naval pilot. He graduated in 1944 and then moved to the Stalin Naval Air School.

Belyayev graduated as a military pilot in 1945 with the rank of junior lieutenant. The war had ended in the west, so Belyayev was sent to defend Russia's eastern regions. He flew Yakovlev, Lavochkin and MiG fighters in the final days of the war against the Japanese, August 1945. Belyayev remained in the East for the next decade, being stationed largely in Siberia. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1947. In 1948 he married Tatyana Prikazchikova. In 1950 he was promoted to senior lieutenant. During this time he flew seven different aircraft types and came to be considered one of the Soviet Union's most gifted commander pilots. He was awarded the Distinguished Combat service medal in 1953. In 1954 he was promoted to captain. While he remained fond of hunting, he also enjoyed more academic pursuits in his downtime including reading and writing poetry and playing the piano and accordion. In 1956 Belyayev succeeded in gaining entry into advanced studies at the Red Banner Air Force Academy. He graduated in 1959 as military pilot second class and with the rank of major.

During Belyayev's final studies at the Red banner Air Force Academy he had been interviewed and tested for possible inclusion in the space program. The selectors were impressed by his ability to withstand high g-Forces. Belyayev was sent to Air Squadron 661 4th IAD of the Black Sea Fleet. A month later he was appointed commander of the regiment's 241st squadron. By the time he was finally selected he had logged over 1,000 hours flight time in both piston and jet aircraft and had also completed approximately 40 parachute jumps. Belyayev reported for assignment at the newly formed TsPK (cosmonaut training centre) on 25 March 1960. At 34, he was the oldest candidate accepted into the program. As a major he was the highest ranking candidate and the only one to have seen active service in World War II. Because of his senior rank, Belyayev became the first commander of the cosmonaut corps. Belyayev and Vladimir Komarov (2 years Belyayev's junior) were the only candidates to have Air Force Academy training. Yuri Gagarin nicknamed the two senior officers "The Professors". In August Belyayev fractured his lower leg just above the ankle in parachute training, an accident that delayed his progress by approximately 12 months and excluded him from any early space flights. Due to the severity of the injury it seemed unlikely that Belyayev would be readmitted to the program, but he worked constantly to recover and regain his fitness. After a year's absence he passed his medical and returned to training.

After the success of the first Voskhod mission in 1964, a second more technically demanding mission was planned for 1965. Its primary aim was to have a cosmonaut leave the capsule and "space-walk". Belyayev was confirmed as prime crew commander of Voskhod 2 just 3 days prior to launch. There had been concern about his mission fitness following a poor performance in the altitude chamber testing 2 months before. It was his crewman Alexey Leonov who finally reported that "Those responsible for the malfunction were the factory specialists supporting the equipment", and that Belyayev had successfully corrected the fault himself, thereby also taking responsibility for the problem himself. Leonov, who had been chosen to perform the space walk described how he preferred to have Belyayev as his mission commander over Khrunov. "I lobbied hard for Pasha, whom I thought more capable than Khrunov. I had worked with him more; I trusted him."

Voskhod 2 launched with Belyayev and Leonov on board on 18 March 1965. Belyayev's call sign was Diamond and his designation as mission commander was 1.

After Leonov successfully performed the first space walk, Belyayev prepared to return to Earth. Belyayev had to perform a manual reentry when the automatic reentry system failed. This required Belyayev to use the equipped Vzor navigation device to orient the capsule. Due to the cramped conditions inside the capsule and its poor design, Belyayev had to lie across the seats to use the Vzor while Leonov held him in place. Belyayev asked Leonov to check the craft's attitude, a move which caused the craft to overshoot its intended landing area by approximately 2,000 km because of the extra time this took. Upon landing Belyayev had to force open the hatch after the explosive bolts failed to open it. Belyayev then had to pull Leonov, whose legs had become jammed under the TV screen console, out of the capsule. After spending a night back inside the capsule in extremely cold conditions, the crew were met by an advance rescue party the following morning. It took another day to clear a spot in the forest for a rescue helicopter to land 9 km from the landing site.

After the success of the mission Belyayev and Leonov were awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union medal, given 15,000 rubles, a Volga car and 45 days leave.

Apollo 15 commander, astronaut Dave Scott recalled meeting Belyayev at the 1967 Paris Air Show, when he and other NASA representatives visited the Russian pavilion. "He was really gracious... Belyayev was a very positive, thoughtful guy, a real leader; I liked him a lot." On a reciprocal visit to the American pavilion, Belyayev disclosed that he had been "the first cosmonaut to bring his mission back to Earth on manual control".

He was originally to fly the Vostok 8 mission into Earth's Van Allen radiation belt, but this was cancelled.

Belyayev died five years after the Voskhod 2 mission in 1970 from peritonitis that resulted from an operation on a stomach ulcer. He is buried in the Novodevichy Cemetery in Moscow.

Gennadiy Smirnov was born on 7 August 1972 in Vologda, Vologda Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor, known for Ottsy i deti (2008), Dama s sobachkoy (2022) and Planeta.

Grigori Belov was born on 18 December 1895 in Vakhonkino, Novgorod Governorate, Russian Empire [now Vologda Oblast, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Life in Bloom (1949), Rimskiy-Korsakov (1953) and Podnyataya tselina (1940). He died on 13 September 1965 in Yaroslavl, Yaroslavl Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia].

Andrey Petrov was born on 1 May 1984 in Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He is an actor and assistant director, known for Short Stories (2012), Prekrashchaem vyzhivat (2006) and Samoubiytsy (2012).

Stanislav Sokolov was born on 9 May 1940 in Cherepovets, Vologda Oblast, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia]. He was an actor, known for Slomannaya podkova (1973), Konets sveta (1962) and Ya vas lyubil... (1968). He died on 20 August 2010 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Georgi Vasilyev was born on 25 November 1899 in Vologda, Russian Empire [now Russia]. He was a director and writer, known for Chapaev (1934), Fortress on the Volga (1942) and Spyashchaya krasavitsa (1930). He died on 18 June 1946 in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia [now Slovenia].

Iryna Krasnianska was born on 19 November 1987 in Vologda, RSFSR, USSR [now Russia].

Mikhail Tsybasov was born on 18 November 1904 in Veliky Ustyug, Veliky Ustyug uyezd, Vologda Governorate, Russian Empire [now Velikoustyugsky District, Vologda Oblast, Russia]. Mikhail was a production designer and art director, known for Spring Song (1941), Planeta bur (1962) and Doroga k zvezdam (1957). Mikhail died in 1967.

Demid Morozov was born in Vologda, Russia. Demid is known for Pure! (2021).

Vasili Katinov was born on 16 July 1907 in Vologda, Russia. He is a writer, known for Vrag u poroga (1932), Chyort s portfelem (1966) and Russkiy les (1964).

Petr Vishnevskiy was born on 24 May 1946 in Vologda, Russia, USSR. He is an actor and assistant director, known for Dukhi ada (1992) and Spaniesu variants (1981).

Oleg Evgenievich Grigoriev (1943-1992) - a poet and artist, a prominent representative of the Leningrad underground, was born in evacuation in the Vologda region. After the war, he moved to Leningrad with his mother and brother. He drew from early childhood, and was supposed to become an artist. He studied at the art school at the Academy of Arts, was expelled from it in 1960 with the wording "for formalism", in fact - for trying to defend his individuality. With many well-known artists today, he retained friendship. He worked as a watchman, stoker, janitor. In 1961 he composed the quatrain "I asked the electrician Petrov", which became a well-known "children's folk" poem. In 1971, he published the first book of children's poems and stories called "Eccentrics", which became popular; according to several works from it ("Hospitality", "Orange"), issues of the magazine "Yeralash" were made. Many of his poems have entered the St. Petersburg urban folklore. His poems are distinguished by aphoristic, paradoxical, elements of absurdity and black humor, which is why he is often put on a par with Kharms and other Oberiuts. However, Grigoriev differs from them in greater immediacy, sincerity and childish vulnerability. In the early 70s, he was sentenced to two years "for parasitism", was serving a sentence of forced labor - the construction of a plant in the Vologda region. Was released early. In 1975, he took part in a well-known exhibition in the Nevsky Palace of Culture. In 1981, his second children's book, Vitamin Growth, was published in Moscow. Poems from it aroused indignation among some representatives of the "official" literary circles, and Grigoriev was not admitted to the Writers' Union. His next book, "The Talking Raven", was already published in perestroika, in 1989. In the same year, he received a second conviction ("for debauchery and resistance to the police") with a suspended sentence; many poets and writers then came out in his defense. Six months before his death, he was admitted to the Writers' Union. Died April 30, 1992. Petersburg from perforation of a stomach ulcer. He was buried in St. Petersburg, at the Volkovsky cemetery, and in a house on the street. Pushkinskaya, 10 opened a memorial plaque with his name.

Aleksey Birichevskiy was born on 2 March 1914 in Veliky Ustyug, Vologda Governorate, Russian Empire [now Vologda Oblast, Russia]. He was an actor, known for Zhil-byl Pyotr (1984), Sad (1983) and Belye rosy (1984). He died on 4 March 1987.

Artyom Anchukov was born on 19 July 1981 in Vologda, USSR. He was an actor, known for Zimniy kruiz (2012), Streets of Broken Lights (1998) and Voluntary Divorce (2015). He died on 6 June 2021 in St. Petersburg, Russia.