Grîu Leanka

About

Leanca Grâu is a Russian actress of Moldovan origin, born on November 22, 1987, in Moscow. The daughter of Moldovan actor Gheorghe Grâu and Russian actress Stella Vladimirovna Ilnitskaya, she began her film career at the age of just four, when she was noticed in a corridor of the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, where her mother was a student. Her first role was in the short film "One," based on a Ray Bradbury story, a film that won multiple awards in Europe. Over the years, Leanca has become a prominent figure in the Russian film industry, starring in over sixty productions, including notable films such as "The Little Princess" (1997), "Triumph" (2000), "The Return of the Musketeers" (2009), and the series "Barvikha" (2009). Her professional training followed at the Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography, the same institution where her mother trained. Her career extended beyond filmmaking, including appearances in theater and television productions, as well as working as a model and brand ambassador. Leanka was recognized for her talent, winning significant awards, including the Rolan Bykov Prize at the Moscow International Film Festival for her role in "The Little Princess." In 2016, she expanded her professional horizons, appearing in the independent American production "Impossible Monsters" and the FX television series "The Americans," thus solidifying an international presence in the film industry. On a personal level, Leanka married Russian director and composer Mikhail Vainberg on July 9, 2010. The couple had a son, Maxim Vainberg, born on February 20, 2011. Currently, the actress lives in Moscow with her family, continuing to be active in the Russian film industry. Her ties to the Republic of Moldova remain present, as she is a recognized figure with Moldovan origins and maintains a significant public presence as a brand ambassador for Philipp Plein.