Rafael Kotanjyan Has Died

Rafael Kotanjyan, a People's Artist, has passed away. This news has been confirmed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.

Rafael Artyomi Kotanjyan was born in 1942 in Tbilisi, and in 1946 his family moved to Yerevan. He studied at the Yerevan State Institute of Theatre and Cinematography from 1960 to 1964 in the acting faculty.

From 1964 to 1966, he worked as an actor and director at the Zangezur Shirvanzade Theatre, marking the beginning of his career. He has appeared in numerous films, including Chaos, The Diamond Arm, Foreign Games, Our Yard, Countess de Monsoro, and For Honor.

In 1980, he was awarded the title of Honored Artist of the Armenian SSR, and in 2003 he received the title of People's Artist of the Republic of Armenia, along with the Golden Medal from the Ministry of Culture and the Movses Khorenatsi Medal. In 2017, he was honored with the 1st class medal for services to the Fatherland and other awards.