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Kosta Tsonev
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Kosta Tsonev (Bulgarian: Коста Цонев; 10 June 1929 – 25 January 2012) was a Bulgarian actor starring in theatre, TV and cinema.[1] He was born on 10 June 1929 in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. He studied at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts. He has been married three times: twice to Anahid Tacheva and then to his present wife Elena. He has a son, famed news reader Dimitar Tsonev, and a daughter. His second oldest brother was the late Vasil Tsonev, a dry witted satirist who wrote many books which have been published in several languages. His oldest brother was the late Iwan Tsonev (Iwan Zoneff) who moved to Australia in 1950s where he became one of the biggest property developers in South Australia during the mid 60's showing the diverse talents of the 3 brothers in each of their chosen fields. The father of the three brothers was a simple house painter. In 2001 Tsonev turned to politics and was elected to the National Assembly of Bulgaria as a representative of the former National Movement Simeon II (now National Movement for Stability and Progress).[1] He was reelected in 2005.[1]

Key Information

Full filmography

[edit]
  • Trade Routes (2007) as Alexander Georgiev
  • Shantav den (2004) as Grandfather

in Bulgarian: Шантав ден
in English: Crazy Day (Europe: English title)

  • Zhrebiyat (1993) as Boris Skarlatov

in Bulgarian: Жребият
in English: The Lot

  • Kragovrat (1993) as Ivan Dimovski

in Bulgarian: Кръговрат
in English: Circle

  • Zweite Tod des Gregor Z., Der (1992) as Simeon Boiovic
  • Nemirnata ptitza lyubov (1990) as Svidetelyat

in Bulgarian: Немирната птица любов
in English: Love Is a Willful Bird

  • Bashti i sinove (1990) TV Series

in Bulgarian: Бащи и синове
in English: Fathers and Sons

  • Indianski igri (1990) as Angel

in Bulgarian: Индиански игри
in English: Indian Games

  • Plemennikat chuzhdenetz (1990) as Stranger

in Bulgarian: Племенникът — чужденец
in English: The Foreign Nephew

  • Razvodi, razvodi... (1989) as Mariya's husband

in Bulgarian: Разводи, разводи...
in English: Divorces, Divorces...

  • Neizchezvashtite (1988) TV Series

in Bulgarian: Неизчезващите
in English: People, Who Never Disappear

  • Slyapa sabota (1988) as Kosta Tsonev

in Bulgarian: Сляпа събота in English: Blind Saturday

  • Chicho Krastnik (1988)

in Bulgarian: Чичо Кръстник
in English: My Uncle Godfather

  • Vchera (1988) as Vera's Dad

in English: Yesterday

  • Dom za nashite deca (1987) TV Series as Hristo Aldanov

in Bulgarian: Дом за нашите деца
in English: Home for Our Children

  • Nebe za vsichki (1987) as General director of the company

in Bulgarian: Небе за всички
in English: A Sky for All

  • Vreme za pat (1987) TV Series as Hristo Aldanov

in Bulgarian: Време за път
in English: Time for Traveling (Europe: English title)

  • Mechtateli (1987) as Georgi Zhivkov

in Bulgarian: Мечтатели
in English: Dreamers

  • Eshelonite (1986) as Dimitar Peshev

in Bulgarian: Ешелоните на смъртта
in English: Transports of Death

in Bulgarian: Горски хора
in English: Forest People

in English: Hijack

  • Tazi hubava zryala vazrast (1985) as Rumen Iliev

in Bulgarian: Тази хубава зряла възраст
in English: This Fine Age of Maturity

  • Boris I (1985) as Kliment Ohridski

in Bulgarian: Борис Първи
in English: The Conversion to Christianity & Discourse of Letters

  • V poiskakh kapitana Granta (1985) (mini) TV Series as Hetzel

in Russian: В поисках капитана Гранта
in English: In Search for Captain Grant

  • Spasenieto (1984) as Nikola Bakardzhiev

in Bulgarian: Спасението
in English: Salvation

  • Falshifikatorat ot "Cherniya kos" (1983) TV Series

in Bulgarian: Фалшификаторът от `Черния кос`
in English: Faker from 'The Blackbird'

  • Parizhskaya drama (1983)
  • Pochti reviziya (1983) (mini) TV Series as Vakrilov

in Bulgarian: Почти ревизия
in English: Almost an Inspection

  • Tzarska piesa (1982) as Alexander Tzanev, King' Adviser

in Bulgarian: Царска пиеса
in English: Royal Play

  • Kristali (1982) as Akademik Abadzhiev

in Bulgarian: Кристали
in English: Crystals

  • Udarat (1981) as Prince Kiril

in Bulgarian: Ударът
in English: The Thrust

  • Milost za zhivite (1981) as Professor Andrey Haydutov

in Bulgarian: Милост за живите
in English: Mercy for the Living

  • Sami sred valtzi (1979) TV Series as General Lukash

in Bulgarian: Сами сред вълци
in English: Alone Among Wolves

  • Tayfuni s nezhni imena (1979) TV Series as Emil Boev

in Bulgarian: Тайфуни с нежни имена
in English: Typhoons with Gentle Names

  • Po diryata na bezsledno izcheznalite (1979) TV Series

in Bulgarian: По дирята на безследно изчезналите
in English: On the Tracks of the Missing

  • Umiray samo v kraen sluchay (1978) TV Series as Emil Boev

in Bulgarian: Умирай само в краен случай
in English: Dying in the Worst (

  • Yuliya Vrevskaya (1978) as the old Rebel

in Bulgarian: Юлия Вревская

  • Adios, muchachos (1978) as Vasil

in Bulgarian: Адиос, мучачос

in Bulgarian: Басейнът
in English: The Swimming Pool

  • Godina ot ponedelnitzi (1977) as Anton Stamenov

in Bulgarian: Година от понеделници
in English: A Year of Mondays

  • Dopalnenie kam zakona za zashtita na darzhavata (1976) as Yosif Herbst

in Bulgarian: Допълнение към закона за защита на държавата
in English: Amendment to the Defense-of-State Act

  • Sinyata bezpredelnost (1976) as Emil Boev

in Bulgarian: Синята безпределност
in English: The Blue Infinity

  • Rekviem za edna mrasnitza (1976) as Boev

in Bulgarian: Реквием за една мръсница
in English: Requiem for a Tramp

  • Izgori, za da svetish (1976) TV Series as Pavel

in Bulgarian: Изгори, за да светиш

  • Il pleut sur Santiago (1976)

in Bulgarian: Над Сантяго вали
in English: It Is Raining on Santiago

in Bulgarian: Буна
in English: Riot

  • Magistrala (1975) as Head Engineer

in Bulgarian: Магистрала
in English: A Highway

  • Svatbite na Yoan Asen (1975) as Aleksander/Yoan Asen

in Bulgarian: Сватбите на Йоан Асен
in English: The Weddings of Tsar Ioan Assen

  • Brazilska melodiya (1974)

in Bulgarian: Бразилска мелодия
in English: Brazilian Melody

  • Bashta mi boyadzhiyata (1974) as the Father

in Bulgarian: Баща ми бояджията

  • Golyamata skuka (1973) as Seymur, Uylyams

in Bulgarian: Голямата скука
in English: The Great Boredom

  • Golyamata pobeda (1973) as Big Brother Bonev

in Bulgarian: Голямата победа
in English: The Great Victory

  • Glutnitsata (1972) as Kalinov

in Bulgarian: Глутницата
in English: The Pack of Wolves

  • Neobhodimiyat greshnik (1972) as Attorney Ivan Asenov

in Bulgarian: Необходимият грешник
in English: The Indispensable Sinner

  • Na vseki kilometar — II (1971) TV Series

in Bulgarian: На всеки километър — втора част
in English: At Each Kilometer — II

  • Gnevno patuvane (1971)

in Bulgarian: Гневно пътуване
in English: Wrathful Journey

  • Demonat na imperiyata (1971) TV Series as Father Matey Preobrazhenski

in Bulgarian: Демонът на империята
in English: The Demon of the Empire

  • Nyama nishto po-hubavo ot loshoto vreme (1971) as Evans

in Bulgarian: Няма нищо по-хубаво от лошото време
in English: There Is Nothing Finer Than Bad Weather

  • Na vseki kilometar (1969) TV Series

in Bulgarian: На всеки километър
in English: At Each Kilometer

  • Gospodin Nikoy (1969) as Emil Bobev

in Bulgarian: Господин Никой
in English: Mister Nobody in USA Mr. Nobody

  • Svoboda ili smart (1969) as Podvoyvodata

in Bulgarian: Свобода или смърт
in English: Freedom or Death

in Bulgarian: Човекът от Ла Манча
in English: Man of La Mancha

  • Smart nyama (1963) as Mladenov

in English: There Is No Death

  • Zlatniyat zab (1962) as Captain Lukov

in Bulgarian: Златният зъб
in English: The Golden Tooth

  • Noshtta sreshtu 13-i (1961) as Major Andrey Panov

in Bulgarian: Нощта срещу тринадесети
in English: On the Eve of the 13th

  • Badi shtastliva, Ani! (1961) as Boyan

in Bulgarian: Бъди щастлива, Ани!
in English: Be Happy, Ani!

  • Bednata ulitza (1960) as Petar

in Bulgarian: Бедната улица
in English: Poor Man's Street

  • V tiha vecher (1960) as The captain

in Bulgarian: В тиха вечер in English: On a Quiet Evening

  • Komandirat na otryada (1959) as Danyo

in Bulgarian: Командирът на отряда
in English: The Commander of the Detachment

  • Siromashka radost (1958) as Lazar Dabaka

in Bulgarian: Сиромашка радост
in English: Poor Man's Joy

  • Dimitrovgradtsy (1956)

in Bulgarian: Димитровградци
in English: People of Dimitrovgrad

References

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Kosta Tsonev

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''Kosta Tsonev'' is a Bulgarian actor known for his prolific career spanning more than six decades in theatre, film, and television, where he appeared in over 200 movies and performed in more than 1000 stage roles, earning acclaim as one of Bulgaria's most beloved and versatile performers. He gained iconic status for his portrayal of the secret agent Emil Boev, a character often regarded as Bulgaria's Cold War-era equivalent to James Bond, and was celebrated for memorable roles in both dramatic and comedic productions. Born on June 10, 1929, in Sofia, Tsonev graduated from the Bulgarian Academy for Theatre and Film Arts and built a distinguished career highlighted by numerous awards, including several for best theatrical and film roles, several Icarus Awards from the Union of Bulgarian Artists, and the Askeer Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 for his overall contributions to Bulgarian cinema and theater. His notable works include films such as ''There Is Nothing Finer Than Bad Weather'' and ''Mr. Nobody'', alongside acclaimed stage performances as Don Quixote, Richard III, and Arpagon. Beyond acting, Tsonev entered politics as a Member of Parliament from 2001 to 2009 with the National Movement Simeon II (later NDSV), where he served as deputy chair of the Parliamentary Commission for Culture and helped advance legislation to support Bulgarian film production. He passed away on January 25, 2012, at the age of 82, remembered as a brilliant actor, cultural figure, and dedicated public servant whose legacy endures in Bulgarian arts.

Early life

Early life and education

Kosta Tsonev was born on June 10, 1929, in Sofia, Bulgaria. His father worked as a simple house painter. He had two brothers: the oldest, Iwan Tsonev (also known as Iwan Zoneff), who emigrated to Australia in 1950 and became one of the biggest property developers in South Australia during the mid-1960s, and the second oldest, Vasil Tsonev, a noted satirist and writer whose books were published in several languages. The three brothers were recognized for their diverse talents across different fields. Tsonev pursued formal training in acting and graduated from the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (NATFA), also known as the Krastyo Sarafov National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts, in Sofia. This education laid the foundation for his later career in the performing arts.

Acting career

Theatre career

Kosta Tsonev established himself as a prominent figure in Bulgarian theatre following his graduation from the State Higher Theatre School (now the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts) in 1952, where he studied acting under Professor Stefan Surchadzhiev. He began his professional stage career at the People's Youth Theatre (today the Nikolay Binev Youth Theatre), making his debut in the role of Anton in "The Youth of the Fathers" and remaining with the company for 14 years until 1966. In 1966, Tsonev joined the Sofia Theatre, where he performed for 35 years until 2001, contributing to numerous productions and also making guest appearances at Theatre 199. He participated in the creation of the Theatre of Poetry and Variety in 1965, taking on the title role in "Man of La Mancha," a portrayal of Don Quixote that became one of his most emblematic and recurring stage characters. Throughout his extensive theatre work, Tsonev earned three national awards for best roles in theatre. In 2011, he received the Askeer award for lifetime achievement in theatrical art, recognizing his enduring impact on Bulgarian stage performance.

Film career

Kosta Tsonev established himself as one of Bulgaria's most prolific character actors in cinema, beginning his film career with a role in the 1956 production Dimitrovgradtsy. His work extended across more than five decades, culminating in the 2007 film Trade Routes, with 74 acting credits across film and television. Tsonev frequently appeared in historical dramas, war-themed films, and productions reflective of Bulgaria's socialist era, earning recognition for his supporting and character roles in these genres. Notable performances include his work in The Commander of the Detachment (1959), Mister Nobody (1969), The Weddings of Tsar Ioan Assen (1975), The Swimming Pool (1977), Salvation (1984), Yesterday (1988), and The Lot (1993). He delivered a particularly acclaimed portrayal of Dimitar Peshev in Transports of Death (1986). For his contributions to cinema, Tsonev received three awards for best roles. His film work often intersected with historical and dramatic themes common in Bulgarian television productions of the period.

Television career

Kosta Tsonev achieved lasting recognition in Bulgarian television through his participation in several prominent socialist-era serials and historical productions. He appeared in the landmark series Na vseki kilometar (At Each Kilometer), contributing to both its original 1969 installment and the 1971 continuation, a work widely regarded as one of the most popular and iconic Bulgarian television productions ever made, chronicling the antifascist struggle across Europe. In 1971, Tsonev delivered a memorable performance as Father Matey Preobrazhenski in the 10-episode miniseries Demonat na imperiyata (The Demon of the Empire), which depicted the adventures and national independence efforts of the revolutionary Vasil Levski against Ottoman rule. Among his other notable television roles were Emil Boev in the 1978 series Umiray samo v kraen sluchay (Dying in the Worst) and Hristo Aldanov in the 1987 multi-season family drama Dom za nashite detsa (Home for Our Children), which explored generational tensions and everyday life changes within a Bulgarian family across 20 episodes in four seasons. Tsonev frequently appeared in historical and dramatic serials of the period, reinforcing his presence in Bulgaria's state-supported television landscape.

Political career

Parliamentary service

Kosta Tsonev transitioned to politics in the early 2000s following his established acting career. In 2001, he was elected to the National Assembly of Bulgaria as a member of the National Movement Simeon II, the party founded by former King Simeon II, which later changed its name to the National Movement for Stability and Progress (NMSP). He was re-elected in 2005, representing the Sliven District, and continued serving until 2009. His parliamentary tenure spanned two consecutive terms in the 39th and 40th National Assemblies. During his service, he acted as Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Commission for Culture from July 7, 2006, to June 25, 2009.

Personal life

Marriages and family

Kosta Tsonev was married three times, twice to Anahid Tacheva and once to Elena. His first two marriages were to Anahid Tacheva, and his third and final marriage to Elena lasted until his death in 2012. Tsonev had two children, a son named Dimitar Tsonev, who became a well-known television news presenter, and a daughter. The children were born during his marriages to Anahid Tacheva. He was also the brother of Vasil Tsonev, a noted Bulgarian satirist and writer.

Awards and honours

Death

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