Rousy Chanev, also known as Russi Chanev, is a celebrated Bulgarian actor and screenwriter, born on September 18, 1945, in Burgas, Bulgaria. With a career spanning more than five decades, Chanev is recognized as one of Bulgaria's most respected and versatile performers in both theater and film.
After completing his studies at the National Academy of Theater and Film Arts in Sofia (1963–1967), under the tutelage of Professor Boyan Danovski, Chanev began his professional stage career at the Drama Theater in Plovdiv in 1967. He later joined the Drama Theater in Sofia, where he remained active until 1990. From 1990 to 1995, he served as the artistic director of the Little City Theater “Off the Canal” in Sofia. Since 1995, he has been a prominent member of the National Theater “Ivan Vazov,” where he has performed in over 80 roles.
Chanev made his film debut in 1966 and has since appeared in more than 30 Bulgarian and international productions. Among his most acclaimed film roles is his performance in Advantage (1977), directed by Georgi Djulgerov, where he played “the Cock,” an eccentric and poetic con artist. The film won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival. Another notable appearance was in The Color of the Chameleon (2012), a dark comedy directed by Emil Hristov, exploring the absurdities of post-communist surveillance culture.
In addition to his work as an actor, Chanev has contributed to several screenplays, including Mera spored mera (1981), Avantazh (1977), and Hushove (2009). His dual talent as a writer and performer has enriched his contributions to Bulgarian cinema and television.
Chanev's artistic achievements have earned him numerous awards, such as Best Leading Actor at theater festivals in Blagoevgrad and Vratza (1998), the “Ackeer” Award for best supporting male role (1994), and Best Role Award at the Eighth National Drama Festival (1989). In 2015, he received the Bulgarian Film Academy’s Best Actor award for his role in Buffer Zone.
In recent years, Chanev has remained active in the film industry, with roles in productions such as Oxymoron of Eternity and South Wind 2: Speed Up (both released in 2021). Beyond the stage and screen, he is known for his quiet personal life. He is married to Nevena Mandadzhieva, with whom he has two children.
Rousy Chanev's legacy as a powerful performer and insightful storyteller continues to influence contemporary Bulgarian performing arts and inspire future generations of artists.
After completing his studies at the National Academy of Theater and Film Arts in Sofia (1963–1967), under the tutelage of Professor Boyan Danovski, Chanev began his professional stage career at the Drama Theater in Plovdiv in 1967. He later joined the Drama Theater in Sofia, where he remained active until 1990. From 1990 to 1995, he served as the artistic director of the Little City Theater “Off the Canal” in Sofia. Since 1995, he has been a prominent member of the National Theater “Ivan Vazov,” where he has performed in over 80 roles.
Chanev made his film debut in 1966 and has since appeared in more than 30 Bulgarian and international productions. Among his most acclaimed film roles is his performance in Advantage (1977), directed by Georgi Djulgerov, where he played “the Cock,” an eccentric and poetic con artist. The film won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival. Another notable appearance was in The Color of the Chameleon (2012), a dark comedy directed by Emil Hristov, exploring the absurdities of post-communist surveillance culture.
In addition to his work as an actor, Chanev has contributed to several screenplays, including Mera spored mera (1981), Avantazh (1977), and Hushove (2009). His dual talent as a writer and performer has enriched his contributions to Bulgarian cinema and television.
Chanev's artistic achievements have earned him numerous awards, such as Best Leading Actor at theater festivals in Blagoevgrad and Vratza (1998), the “Ackeer” Award for best supporting male role (1994), and Best Role Award at the Eighth National Drama Festival (1989). In 2015, he received the Bulgarian Film Academy’s Best Actor award for his role in Buffer Zone.
In recent years, Chanev has remained active in the film industry, with roles in productions such as Oxymoron of Eternity and South Wind 2: Speed Up (both released in 2021). Beyond the stage and screen, he is known for his quiet personal life. He is married to Nevena Mandadzhieva, with whom he has two children.
Rousy Chanev's legacy as a powerful performer and insightful storyteller continues to influence contemporary Bulgarian performing arts and inspire future generations of artists.
RSS Feed
