Sergei Bodrov Jr.

The son of noted Russian director Sergei Bodrov (I Wanted to See Angels [1992], Bear's Kiss [2002]), actor Sergei Bodrov Jr.'s career rocketed during the 1990s with roles in such films as Prisoner of the Mountains (1996) and Brother (1997). Born in Moscow in December 1971, Bodrov Jr. began a career onscreen with a pair of minor roles in the early '90s. A cultural icon following his turn in Brother, Bodrov Jr. cemented his status with that film's 2000 sequel, and moved into directing with the following year's Sisters. A deliberate and bleak tale of two sisters' bid for survival in modern-day Russia, the film hinted at great things to come for the talented actor turned director. In addition to his film work, Bodrov Jr. also hosted a national talk show as well as a local version of the popular television show Survivor. Unfortunately, Bodrov Jr.'s career was cut tragically short when on September 19, 2002, an avalanche killed him and much of his 46-person crew while on location shooting his film The Messenger. Sergei Bodrov Jr. was 31.

~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide