Boris Leskin

Born in St. Petersburg, Russia, Boris Leskin acted in over forty Russian films before immigrating to the United States. Upon graduating from the Institute of Theatre and Cinema, he joined the renowned Bolshoi Dramatic Theatre. For twenty-eight years, he worked under its director, Georgi Tovstonogov, performing in dozens of Russian and international plays.

In 1979, Leskin arrived in New York City knowing very little English, unable to find work as an actor or acting teacher. For eighteen months, he worked instead as a messenger for a retail company while learning English.

Leskin was making his third attempt to pass his taxi driver license when the director John Schlesinger cast him as an ambassador/KGB spymaster, a featured role in The Falcon and the Snowman. After seven years, he'd become an actor again.

Following the success of Falcon and the Snowman, Leskin continued to work in America as an actor appearing in films such as Cadillac Man, Men In Black, The Vampire's Kiss, Third Watch, and two movies by director Chantal Ackerman.

In 1985, Leskin became a Professor of Acting at New York University where he taught until 2003. He is married to Kelly Hogan, a former modern dancer who now works in the Dance Division of her alma mater, the Juilliard School in New York. His daughter lives in Las Vegas and his granddaughter resides in New Jersey.

Tell us what you think in the Boris Leskin forum.

Boris Leskin Facts

Occupation	Actor
Birthplace	St. Petersburg, Russia

Selected Filmography

Men in Black

Everything Is Illuminated

Add/Update data | Find more details on the Boris Leskin Movies page