12 Facts About Frunzik Mkrtchyan

Frunzik Mkrtchyan received the prestigious People's Artist of the USSR award in 1984.

Mher "Frunzik" Mkrtchyan was born in Leninakan to father Mushegh Mkrtchyan and mother Sanam Mkrtchyan, both of whom were orphaned survivors of the Armenian genocide.

Mushegh Frunzik Mkrtchyan fled to Gyumri from Mush, while Sanam escaped the genocide from Van.

Frunzik Mkrtchyan's parents met while they were working in a local Leninakan textile factory that was created in the 1930s, with Mushegh later going on to work as a bricklayer and Sanam as a dish washer.

Mher's nickname, Frunzik Mkrtchyan, was given to him in honor of Soviet general Mikhail Frunze.

Frunzik Mkrtchyan's father praised his acting talent, but pressured his son to pursue a painting career.

In 1953, Frunzik Mkrtchyan left Gyumri to further his education in Yerevan at the Yerevan State Institute of Theater and Arts.

Frunzik Mkrtchyan was initially romantically involved with a classmate of his, Knar, but was rejected by her family and thus the pair never married.

Frunzik Mkrtchyan became immensely depressed by the illness of his wife and his son Vahagn's subsequent inheritance of his mother's mental illness.

On 29 December 1993 Frunzik Mkrtchyan died in Yerevan, Armenia.

Mher Frunzik Mkrtchyan received multiple awards during his lifetime for his major contributions to film.

Frunzik Mkrtchyan was awarded the People's Artist of the Armenian SSR in 1971 and Armenian SSR State Prize in 1978.