Asanali Ashimov

• Name — Asanälı Äşımov • Native Name — Асанәлі Әшімов • Born — 8 May 1937 • Birthplace — Zhayilma settlement, Sarysu District, South Kazakhstan Region, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Kazakhstan • Died — 21 December 2025 • Place of death — Kazakhstan • Occupation — * Actor • theater director • film director • drama coach • screenwriter • Children — 5

Ashimov was born in Bayqadam (or, according to other sources, Zhayilma) 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.

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.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1957 — Botagoz — Kenzhetay • 1959 — On Irtysh Wild Shore — Zhanay Uralov • 1960 — In One District — Dyusen Bektasov • 1961 — Song's Calling — Toybazar • 1962 — My Boy — Murat • 1962 — Crossroads — Iskander • 1964 — Traces Go Beyond the Horizon — Turar • 1966 — Wings of Song — Kaymen • 1970 — Kyz-Zhibek — Bekezhan • 1970 — The End of the Ataman — Chadyarov • 1974 — Waterfall — Mambet Usenov • 1975 — Choice — Kozhamkul • 1976 — The Throw, or Everything Started on Saturday — Professor • 1977 — Trans-Siberian Express — Fan (Chadyarov) • 1979 — The Taste of Bread — Kamal Aykenov • 1980 — The Messengers Hurry — Karazhal • 1984 — Chokan Valikhanov — Chingis Valikhanov • 1989 — The Manchurian Option — Isizima (Chadyarov) • 2004 — House at the Salt Lake — Galymzhan Zhanakov • 2009 — Who Are You, Mr. Ka? — Ka Chen Wu (Chadyarov)