Edward Uspensky

Father - Nikolai Mikhailovich Uspensky (1903-1947), an employee of the apparatus of the Central Committee of the CPSU (b). Mother - Natalya Alekseevna Uspenskaya (1907–1982), a mechanical engineer. After studying at the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) and becoming an engineer, he earned his living by writing and doing cartoon script. In addition to children's books, Ouspensky wrote poems and theatrical scenes from the cycle about Cheburashka, “Crocodile Gena and his friends”. But Edward Uspensky began as a variety author together with Felix Kamov. In 1965, at the suggestion of artists A. Livshits and A. Levenbuk, they began to cooperate with professional stage music. They wrote interludes, humoresques, poetic feuilletons. Although the authors often used the usual pop themes, production and everyday, but their talent, taste, ability to find their view on the subject, original solutions made their repertoire not only interesting for pop, but also self-valuable literary works. The authors parodyly used the form of a parable (“The Heavenly Chancellery”), a fabulously parody form (“The Tenth Dining Room”. “Go There- I Do Not Know Where,” “Apparently Invisible”). The works of Kamov and Ouspensky made up a significant part of the solo program of Livshits and Leuvenbuk “Pif-Paf, or Satirical Shots for Misses”. Humoresques of Kamov and Ouspensky were performed by B. Brunov. R. Romanov and others. Together they wrote for the stage until the end of the 60s. Ouspensky's first book about Uncle Fedor “Uncle Fedor, Dog and Cat” was published in 1974. The main character was a six-year-old boy, who was called Uncle Fyodor for being very independent. After his parents had forbidden him to leave the homeless cat Matroskin in the apartment, Uncle Fyodor left the house. Together with Matroskin and dog Sharik, they settled in the village of Prostokvashino. Having found the treasure, they were able to buy a tractor that rides on soup and potatoes. According to the book, a little-known cartoon “Uncle Fyodor, Dog and Cat” was shot, as well as three popular cartoon films: “Three from Prostokvashino”, “Vacations in Prostokvashino” and “Winter in Prostokvashino”. He was the chairman of the jury of the "cherished dream" award. Also in 1986, he was a member of the jury in the first games of the revived Higher League of KVN. Eduard Uspensky was one of the creators of the programs “Good night, kids!”, “ABVGDeyka”, “Radio nurses”, as well as the author's song program “Ships called at our harbor”, which in 2000 was awarded the TEFI prize. In 2007–2008, he was a member of the Supreme Council of the Civil Force Political Party. In 2010, Ouspensky was awarded the Korney Chukovsky Prize, established for children's writers, in the main nomination "For outstanding creative achievements in Russian children's literature." Last years and death In 2011, he won stomach cancer, he felt good for 5 years, and in 2017 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, moved in a wheelchair last year, was treated in Baden-Baden, returned from Germany after the fourth course of chemotherapy, on August 9, 2018 he lost consciousness, the doctors suggested he go to the hospital, but he refused and stayed at home. He died on August 14, 2018 in a private house in the village of Puchkovo, part of the Troitsky administrative district of Moscow. He was buried at Troyekurovsky cemetery.