Lyudmila Gurchenko, icon of Soviet cinematography, dies

Lyudmila Gurchenko, a legendary Soviet and Russian actress, People's Artist of the USSR, has died. The actress, adored by the whole country, died at her home at age 75 as a result of a serious illness. Her husband, Sergei Senin, confirmed the sad news to the media.

Russian TV and radio channels changed their programs because of Gurchenko's death. The actress reportedly died because of cardiac arrest. It took the ambulance 21 minutes to arrive to her home. When the doctors finally came to the patient, she was already dead.

Lyudmila Gurchenko was born on November 12, 1935 in Kharkov, Ukraine. She starred in over 80 films, many of which became classical motion pictures of Soviet cinematography. She debuted in 1956 in "The Road of Truth." Her first major role that earned her national popularity took place the same year, in 1956, when she appeared in Eldar Ryazanov's "Karnavalnaya Noch" musical comedy ("Carnival Night"). The film became hugely popular across the entire Soviet Union, and Gurchenko became nationally famous overnight.

Gurchenko will be buried on Monday, most likely on Moscow's Novodevichye Cemetery.