Vasily Zhivokini was a Russian comic actor who spent most of his life associated with the Maly Theatre. He was born in Moscow into the family of an Italian father and an actress of a serf theatre. He studied at the Moscow Theatre School, where he initially trained for a musical and dance career but was later transferred to the drama class. He made his stage debut in 1824 and soon joined the troupe of the Maly Theatre. His stage career lasted nearly half a century. Zhivokini performed in comedies, vaudevilles, and operas, playing roles in “The Government Inspector”, “Marriage”, “Woe from Wit” and in plays by Ostrovsky. In addition to his stage work, he taught acting and published memoirs. A large number of photographs and archival documents related to the life and work of Vasily Zhivokini are held in the collection of the Bakhrushin Theatre Museum.