June 14, 1902, Riga — July 13, 1976, Moscow.
Soviet director, screenwriter, actor.
Honored Artist of the RSFSR (March 27, 1973).
Studied at the Communist Drama Workshop in Moscow (1920-1921), graduated from the State Theatre Committee (1928).
In 1921-1927 — actor and laboratory director at the V.E. Meyerhold Theatre (parallel to his studies), head of drama clubs at the Committee of Oppressed Workers of the East, at Moscow State University, at the Chinese University and other clubs in Moscow.
In 1928-1936 — director of the Mezhrabpomfilm film studio (now named after Gorky). Director of the first Soviet full-length sound film, “Road to Life,” the color film, “Grunya Kornakova,” and the stereoscopic film, “The Man in the Green Glove,” shot without glasses.
In 1946-1956, he was engaged in literary activity.
Author of the plays “Red Eaglets” (1925), “PSR” (“Party of Free Guys,” 1925).
A few years after the premiere of Grounia Kornakova, he fell into disgrace. Ekk's teacher, theater director Vsevolod Meyerhold, was declared an enemy of the people, and Ekk refused to testify against him. As a result, he was excluded from directing and directing and concentrated on literature.
After Stalin's death, Ekk returned to cinema and especially to theater.
He was buried in Moscow in the 54th section of the Kuzminskoye cemetery.
