Mikheil Gelovani

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Prince Mikheil Georgievich Gelovani (in Russian Михаил Георгиевич Геловани, January 6, 1893 - December 21, 1956) - of the princely House of Gelovani - was a Georgian actor born in the dynastic family seat in Letchkhumi (Svaneti, Georgia (country)), who played Joseph Stalin in a series of propaganda films in the 1930s and 1940s. He was picked by Stalin in 1938 after he was impressed with his performance as Stalin in Diadi Gantiadi. Because of the success of this film and Gelovani's charm, Stalin maintained that only Gelovani was to act as Stalin in the films for a long time. [1] This, effectively, finished a promising career of a universally loved Georgian actor, well known for his romantic and comic theatre and film parts. Contrary to the widespread beliefs that Mikheil Gelovani consulted with Stalin and copied him in the films, in reality, he met Stalin in person only once. As a result, he interpreted the character of the Soviet leader not replicating the behaviour of the original Stalin but adding substantial humane traits to his image: Gelovani was the only actor permitted to depict Stalin signing, joking or kissing women's hands. As a result, he unwittingly contributed to the creation of the Stalin's cult of personality, whilst he always looked like an idealised version of the leader. Undoubtedly, Stalin was flattered that Mikheil Gelovani, the descendant of the princely House of Gelovani played the part of a poor cobbler's son, who became the Soviet dictator. Mikheil Gelovani died in Moscow, RSFSR, at the age of 63, on the day of Stalin's birthday.