First Ukrainian Women and Actors Who Conquered the American Hollywood
01/25/2017
It would seem that looking at Hollywood movies cast you can easily meet Ukrainian names - Olga Kurylenko, Vera Farmiga, Mila Jovovich. It's hard to believe, but just a few decades ago black-and-white Hollywood practically stand on natives of Ukraine.

In 1932, the co-owner of the world known studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Samuel Goldwyn invited Ukrainian woman Anna Fesak from Kiev to Hollywood. He watched her in the German movie about The Karamazov Brothers. Anna played the role of Grushenka so well that she instantaneously charmed Goldwyn.

Watching her beauty, style, intelligence, and extensive acting experience, the producer was sure he made a second Greta Garbo of her. But the experiment failed. What European society admired left American society untouched.

But you can not say the same about another Ukrainian beauty Lizabeth Scott. Her Real name was Emma, the daughter of Ivan and Maria Matso, the immigrants from Uzhgorod, Ukraine. Her every appearance on the screen amazed spectators. Cold beauty, graceful manners and a hoarse voice made her the image of "la femme fatale". Paramount Pictures Film studio gave her the nickname "Threat."
Lizabeth was created for the main roles. During her career she played the role of the second plan only once, and the main Hollywood male stars have always been her partners (young Elvis Presley was among them).

Among Elvis Presley close friends there was another Ukrainian actor - Nick Adams. His Real name Nikolai Adamchuck. His father was a miner in the state of seedy Pesilvaniya. He played only small roles but Nick knew how to tie useful contacts. With Elvis, they loved to drive a motorcycle, and then discuss plans for the future till sunrise. His memories Nick outlined in the book "The Rebel and the King."

He also introduced the king of rock 'n' roll one more Ukrainian woman - Natalie Wood. They even had a brief affair, but the singer's mother did not support the candidacy for the heart of a star. Her father Nikolai moved from Kharkov to Vladivostok, then moved to China, and from there to the United States. Little Natalia made her film debut when she was 4 years old (Happy land), and in age of 7 she played a role in the Christmas cult film "Miracle on 34st Street" In general, the actress starred in 56 films, received a Golden Globe Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sometimes one can found a few actors of Ukrainian origin at once. For example, Lizabeth Scott played with John Godyak. His father was a Ukrainian and a mother was a pole. When Hollywood agents advised to change the Ukrainian name to something more meaningful to Americans, he refused. "I like my name. It underlines my appearance»- he said.

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