Asanali Ashimov

Asanali Ashimuly Ashimov (Асанәлі Әшімұлы Әшімов, born May 8, 1937) is a Soviet and Kazakh actor, stage and screen director, screenwriter, educator, professor of drama.

Biography
Ashimov was born in Bayqadam (or, according to other sources, Zhayilma) settlement on May 8, 1937) Sarysu District, South Kazakhstan Region, Kazakh SSR.

Having graduated from Kazakh National Academy of Arts in Almaty as a theater drama actor in 1961, Ashimov started his career in the movie industry at Kazakhfilm Studios.

In 1963, he joined Auezov Kazakh Drama Theater in Almaty as an actor and later director. He also served as an Art Director at Auezov Theater.

Ashimov's success and recognition as an actor stemmed from his performance in such movies as The End of the Ataman by Shaken Aimanov, Trans-Siberian Express, Who Are You Mr. Ka? and Kyz-Zhibek.

Throughout his time at Auezov Theater, Ashimov was in 50 productions.

Ashimov taught at Kazakh National Academy of Arts named after Zhurgenev where he received a professorship.

He wrote the books Song of Mayra, Dedication, With Love Yours Asanali Ashimov.

Personal life
Ashimov had two children, Madi and Sagi, with Mayra Aimanova, his first wife of 35 years, a Kazakh opera singer. Mayra died in 1993, and Madi and Sagi both died in 1999. Sagi was also a Kazakh actor.

His two next marriages did not last long. He had a son named Olzhas with his second wife and a daughter named Sagina with his third wife Marzhan.

In 2002 he married his current wife Bagdat. They have a son also named Asanali.

Awards
Asanali Ashimov holds numerous awards for his contribution to Kazakh and global culture, including the Hero of Labour of Kazakhstan and the Lomonosov Award.

Legacy
In 2022, in honor of the 85th anniversary of Ashimov's birth, Kazakhstan established a new award in the arts: the "Asanali". This prize will be awarded to the best actors, directors and screenwriters of the country.

In 2022, a bronze monument was erected in his honour on the territory of the Kazakhstan Business Cooperation Center Atakent.