Asanali Ashimov

Asanälı Äşımūly Äşımov was a Soviet and Kazakh actor, stage and screen director, screenwriter, educator and professor of drama.

Early life and career

Ashimov was born in Bayqadam on 8 May 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 and death

Ashimov had two children with Mayra Aimanova, his first wife of 35 years, a Kazakh opera singer. Mayra died in 1993, and both children both died in 1999. Sagi was also a Kazakh actor.
His two next marriages did not last long. He had a son with his second wife and a daughter with his third wife.
In 2002 he married his fourth and last wife. They had a son.
Ashimov died on 21 December 2025 at the age of 88.

Awards

Ashimov held 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 Ashimov's 85th birthday, 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.