Ramaz Chkhikvadze

Ramaz Chkhikvadze caused a sensation when he appeared on stage as Richard III at the 1979 Edinburgh Festival in a production of Shakespeare's play by the Rustaveli Theatre Company of Tbilisi, Georgia, then still part of the Soviet Union.

Ramaz Chkhikvadze (in Georgian: რამაზ ჩხიკვაძე) was a Georgian film and theater actor. First appearing in the 1954 film The Dragonfly (Chrichina), he starred in over 60 films during his career. He won the award for Best Actor at the 8th Moscow International Film Festival for his role in The Saplings.

This national actor of Georgia and USSR graduated from the Rustaveli State Theatre Institute in 1951, and since then he has been acting in Rustaveli Theatre. Because of his legendary acting skills he had the honor to work with great world class directors. Chkhikvadze's trade mark is his distinct individuality, originality, great creative imagination, improvisation and conversion skills. His acting captivated the whole world. Chkhikvadze's portrayal of Shakespeare's characters were aclaimed to be the best. He was called "a Georgian Olivier" in Great Britain, but then it was modified to 'Olivier being the Georgian Chkhikvadze".

Ramaz Chkhikvadze was born on the 28th of February 1928 to the outstanding musician Gregory Chkhikvadze and Elene Gachechiladze. He has been hesitating between conservatory and theater institute, but finally choose acting.