Ivan Andreyevich Urgant (born April 16, 1978) is a Russian/Israeli television host, presenter, and actor best known for the late‑night talk show Evening Urgant, which he hosted from 2012 until 2022.
He comes from a family of actors, has been involved in both television and film, and remains a prominent figure in Russian‑language entertainment.
Keep reading Ivan Urgant’s Wiki to learn more about his life, wife, children, family, career, education, awards, and interesting facts.
Ivan Urgant Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Ivan Andreyevich Urgant |
| Profession | Television host, presenter, actor |
| Age | 48 years old |
| Date of Birth | April 16, 1978 |
| Nationality | Russian/Israeli |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Aries |
| Birthplace | Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), USSR |
| Current Address | Israel |
Ivan Urgant Wife & Children
Ivan Urgant is married to Natalia Kiknadze, a woman he knew from his school years in Saint Petersburg.
They reconnected as adults and eventually got married, though the exact wedding date has not been made public.
Natalia is known to be very private, and while she occasionally appears at public events with Ivan, she does not seek the spotlight. Their marriage is regarded as stable and long-lasting within Russian media circles.
About Natalia Kiknadze
Natalia Kiknadze has a Georgian background and was previously married before her relationship with Ivan. She studied at the same school as Ivan and later pursued her own career, although she is not active in the entertainment industry.
She has two children from her first marriage. Ivan has publicly stated that he treats them as his own and shares a close bond with them.
Previous Marriage
Before marrying Natalia, Ivan was briefly married to Karina Avanesyan, a classmate from his university days at the Saint Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy.
Their marriage occurred when Ivan was quite young and did not last long. Little is publicly known about their time together, and Ivan rarely speaks about this past relationship.
Children
Ivan and Natalia have two daughters together. Both were born after their marriage and have been raised mostly away from public view.
Before marrying Ivan, Natalia had a son and daughter from her first marriage to businessman Vakhtang (or Teimuraz) Kutalia. Ivan has always referred to them with warmth and care.
Step‑children from Natalia’s prior marriage
- Niko Kutalia (son) — born ~1997; often named as Natalia’s child from first marriage and Ivan’s step‑son.
- Erika Kutalia (daughter) — born ~2000; also Natalia’s child from first marriage; Ivan is reported to treat her as his own.
Children with Natalia
- Nina Urgant (daughter) — born May 15, 2008.
- Valeria Urgant (daughter) — born around September 21, 2015.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Ex-wife: Karina Avanesyan Current wife: Natalia Kiknadze |
| Children | Daughters: Valeria Urgant and Nina Urgant |
Ivan Urgant Family
Ivan Urgant comes from a well-known acting family in Russia.
His father is Andrey Urgant, a stage and film actor who worked extensively in Soviet and Russian theater and television. Andrey has appeared in numerous plays and is respected for his contribution to the performing arts in Russia.
His mother is Valeriya Kiseleva, a theater actress who performed at the Leningrad Youth Theatre.
After separating from Andrey, she remarried and moved to Estonia, where she continued to work in the arts. Both of Ivan’s parents influenced his interest in acting from a young age.
Grandparents
Ivan’s grandfather, Nikolai Urgant, was also a celebrated actor in the Soviet Union. He was known for his serious stage work and contributed significantly to Soviet cultural life.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Andrey Urgant Mother: Valeriya Kiseleva |
Ivan Urgant Education
Ivan Urgant pursued his education in his hometown of Saint Petersburg, Russia. While the exact name of his school is not publicly mentioned, it is known that he completed his early education in the city where he was born and raised.
After finishing school, Ivan enrolled at the Saint Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy (also known as SPbGATI), one of Russia’s leading institutions for performing arts. He studied there in the faculty of acting and stage direction, continuing the family tradition in theater and performance.
Although Ivan initially began his career in acting, he later transitioned into television. His academic training in stagecraft helped him become a confident presenter and performer in front of live audiences.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | Saint Petersburg State Theatre Arts Academy |
| Highest Qualification | Yet to be updated |
Ivan Urgant Career
Ivan Urgant’s career spans over two decades and includes work as a television host, actor, and musician.
He is best known for hosting one of Russia’s most popular late-night talk shows, Evening Urgant.
His style blends humor, intelligence, and charm, making him a household name across Russian-speaking countries.
Early Career: Radio and Local TV
Ivan started his professional path in radio and nightclubs in Saint Petersburg in the late 1990s.
He worked as a DJ and club MC, gaining early experience in live hosting. This stage helped him develop a natural ease in front of audiences.
Breakthrough on MTV Russia
In 2001, Ivan joined MTV Russia as a host. His fresh style, comedic sense, and confident screen presence caught viewers’ attention quickly.
He hosted shows like Cheerful Morning, and his popularity rose among younger audiences.
Expansion into National Television
From 2003 to 2005, Ivan became a familiar face on national TV, hosting “People’s Artist” (Russia’s version of American Idol) and quiz shows like “Pyramid” on Russia-1.
In 2006, he started hosting the popular cooking show “Smak” on Channel One, which had originally been led by Andrey Makarevich.
Ivan’s version of the show mixed food, comedy, and celebrity interviews, and it ran successfully for several years.
Rise with Satirical Talk Shows
Ivan’s profile got a significant boost in 2008 when he co-hosted “Prozhektorperiskhilton”, a humorous news commentary show.
Alongside other comedians like Garik Martirosyan and Sergey Svetlakov, Ivan discussed weekly events with sharp wit. The show became a cultural staple and was known for its casual yet clever format.
Peak Fame with Evening Urgant
In 2012, Ivan launched “Evening Urgant”, Russia’s first late-night show inspired by American formats like The Tonight Show.
Airing on Channel One, the show featured a monologue, celebrity interviews, comedy sketches, and live music performances.
It became his signature project, and Ivan was praised for bringing a Western-style late-night vibe to Russian television. Evening Urgent ran successfully for nearly a decade and became one of the highest-rated programs in its slot.
Suspension and Political Context
In February 2022, the show was suspended shortly after Ivan publicly opposed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine via his Instagram account.
While Channel One never officially stated a reason for the suspension, many viewed it as a response to his political stance.
Since then, Ivan has stayed mostly out of public TV roles, though he remains active on social media and occasionally appears in private events or media platforms.
Acting and Music Projects
In parallel to hosting, Ivan acted in several popular films, including the “Yolki” (Christmas Trees) series and romantic comedies.
He also released music under the stage name Grisha Urgant, showing his interest in jazz and lounge music.
| Year | Role/Title | Organization/Project |
| 1999 | Radio & club host | St.Petersburg nightclubs |
| 2001 | TV host | MTV Russia |
| 2003–2005 | Host “People’s Artist”, “Pyramid” | Russia-1 |
| 2006 | Host “Smak” | Channel One |
| 2008 | Co-host “Prozhektorperiskhilton” | Channel One |
| 2012 | Host “Evening Urgent” | Channel One |
| 2022 | Suspension of “Evening Urgent” | Channel One |
Ivan Urgant Awards and Achievements
Ivan Urgant has earned multiple TEFI Awards and international honors for his work as a television host, reflecting his strong reputation in Russian and global media.
| Year | Award/Recognition | Category |
| 2007 | TEFI | Leading entertainment programme host |
| 2009 | TEFI | Host of Eurovision final (with Alsou) |
| 2010 | TEFI (twice) | Host + script category |
| 2011 | TEFI | Leading entertainment programme host |
| 2014 | TEFI | Leading entertainment programme host |
| 2015 | TEFI | Leading entertainment programme host |
| 2016 | TEFI | Leading entertainment programme host |
| 2019 | TEFI | Leading entertainment programme host |
| 2021 | Order of the Star of Italy | Knight (Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Stella) |
Ivan Urgant Controversies
Below is a summary of the key controversies linked to Ivan Urgant, including political backlash, media criticism, and public speculation over his actions and statements:
| Year | Controversy | Detail |
| 2022 | Anti-war post & show suspension | Ivan posted a black square with “No to war” on Instagram after the Ukraine invasion. Days later, Evening Urgant was suspended from Channel One. |
| 2025 | Foreign agent investigation | The Russian Ministry of Justice began monitoring Urgant under the “foreign agents” law following his public anti-war stance. |
| 2013 | Emigration remarks | An old interview surfaced where Urgant said he’d emigrate if he couldn’t “earn, speak, or do what I love.” Media criticized him for this. |
| 2023 | Fake Telegram post accusation | Urgant was falsely linked to a Telegram channel that claimed he supported the Ukrainian military. He denied any connection. |
| 2023 | Business closure in Paris | Russian media reported Urgant closed a Paris-based business after public criticism about overseas assets. |
Ivan Urgant Net Worth, Salary
Ivan Urgant’s estimated net worth is $10 million, while his annual salary is still to be determined.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $10 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Ivan Urgant Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Ivan Urgant stands at approximately 6 feet 4 inches (195 cm), which adds to his on-stage charisma as a television host.
He has black hair and blue eyes, features that have remained consistent throughout his career. His exact weight and other measurements are yet to be updated.
| Height | In centimetres: 195 cm In meters: 1.95 m In feet & inches: 6 feet 4 inches |
| Weight | In kg: Yet to be updated In lbs: Yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Ivan Urgant Instagram, X, Facebook
 @urgantcom | |
| X |  @urgantcom |
 @urgantcom |
Interesting Facts About Ivan Urgant
- Ivan Urgant comes from a three-generation family of actors; his grandfather, parents, and himself all worked in theater or television.
- Ivan holds dual citizenship in Russia and Israel.
- He took over the cooking show Smak, which was originally led by Andrey Makarevich.
- Urgant is a multiple-time winner of the TEFI Awards, Russia’s highest television honor.
- Ivan co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest final in 2009, held in Moscow.
- His late-night show, The Late Urgent, was inspired by American talk show formats.
- The show was suspended in 2022 after he publicly opposed the war in Ukraine.
More News Anchor and Tv Presenter From Russia
FAQs
Who is Ivan Urgant?
Ivan Urgant is a well-known Russian-Israeli television host, actor, and musician. He became widely recognized for hosting the late-night show “Evening Urgant”.
Why was Evening Urgant suspended?
The show was suspended in early 2022 after Ivan publicly expressed his opposition to the war in Ukraine.
Has Ivan Urgant received any awards?
Yes, Ivan Urgant has won several TEFI Awards, which are top honors in Russian television, and also co-hosted Eurovision 2009.
Was Ivan Urgant involved in any controversies?
Yes, mainly around Ivan Urgant’s anti-war statement in 2022, which led to the suspension of his show and a government inquiry into foreign influence.
