Legendary Uzbek actor and dubbing master Tulqin Tojiev dies at 88

The Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater reported the sad news of his passing, noting that Tulqin Tojiev, People's Artist of Uzbekistan, died at the age of 88.

“The Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater announces with deep sorrow that our esteemed artist, the king of Uzbek dubbing, People's Artist of Uzbekistan Tulqin Tojiev, has passed away at the age of 88. The entire National Theater team expresses their heartfelt condolences to his family and all those who knew and loved him,” the statement read.

Born on April 13, 1936, in Tashkent, Tulqin Tojiev graduated in 1959 from the acting faculty of the Tashkent Theater and Art Institute, named after A. Ostrovsky, and began his career at the Hamza Uzbek State Academic Drama Theater.

Tulqin Tojiev, who grew up in the family of People's Artist of Uzbekistan Jura Tojiev, began working at the "Uzbekfilm" film studio and the republic radio in 1947. Over the years, he created more than a hundred iconic roles at the Uzbek National Academic Drama Theater, including Bobchinsky and Khlestakov in the Government Inspector, Osric in Hamlet, Edgar in King Lear, Iago in Othello, Mansur and Jomiy in Alisher Navoi, Orif in Imon, Abdulatif in Mirzo Ulugbek, and Zhontoy in Sarviqomat Dilbarim.

At "Uzbekfilm" studio, Tulqin Tojiev lent his voice to over a thousand foreign films dubbed into Uzbek. His remarkable voice brought characters to life in films such as the Shield and the Sword, Afonya, Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Profession, You to Me, Me to You, Where Is Enohp Located?, the Adventures of Dolas the Cannoneer, Loyalty, My Friend the Elephant, Ram And Shyam, and many others.

In 1988, Tulqin Tojiev was awarded the title of People's Artist of Uzbekistan, and in 1997, he was honored with the Friendship Order for his outstanding contributions to the arts.