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Elya Baskin

Elya Baskin

Actor · Born August 11, 1950 (76) · Riga, Latvian SSR, USSR [now Latvia]

Baskin was born in Riga, the son of Frieda and Zalman Baskin.  He attended Moscow's prestigious Theatre and Variety Arts College and won a Festival of Young Actors Award at the Moscow Comedy Theatre. Baskin immigrated to the United States in 1976.  He has built a considerable career in TV and movies, and is often cast as a Russian, due to his ancestry and accent. He has ultimately become one of the most popular choices whenever a Russian is needed in a TV-episode or a major movie production.  He is also a regular on the long-running Internet program "Outlaw Radio" hosted by Matt Alan, where he makes amusing commentary on contemporary topics, and does comedic interaction with fellow actor Richard Tyson and author Burl Barer, among many others. Description above from the Wikipedia article Elya Baskin, licensed under CC-BY-SA,full list of contributors on Wikipedia.    

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 11, 1950 (76)
From
Riga, Latvian SSR, USSR [now Latvia]
Works as
Actor
Titles
59 on MovieCove · 91 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 17% in 30 days

What are Elya Baskin's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 18th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
28%
Bonds
25%
Survival
13%
Ideas
11%
Morality
10%
Power
8%
Society
5%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMemory2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 7 · Serious 6 · Dark 4

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 11 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 11 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 8 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Warm
6
Contemplative
5
Melancholic
5
Hopeful
3
Other
15

How their films linger

Feel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet9
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Elya Baskin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 46 of their 59 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (17).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Elya Baskin's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

91 credits, 59 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Dance With Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Sasha

  • Guys' Night in The Thing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Voice of Mr. Ditkovich

  • Reagan(2024)

    as B.E. Kertchman

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Rookie: Feds(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Consul General Viktar Saroka

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • I Love Us(2021)

    as Ira Prince

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Legacy(2020)

    as Boranovic

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Supervized(2019)

    as Brian

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Hit Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Voice of Mr. Ditkovich

  • Jangan Benci Cintaku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Chicanery(2017)

    as Boris Namarov

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • MacGyver(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Alexander Orlov

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Med(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Mischa Lenkov

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Hive(2014)

    as Yuri Yegorov

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Silent Screams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Andrei

  • Madam Secretary(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Dito Pirosmani · as Ditro Pirosmani

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Jimmy P: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian(2013)

    as Dr. Jokl

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Homeland(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as Viktor

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Transformers: Dark of the Moon(2011)

    as Cosmonaut Dimitri

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Across the Line: The Exodus of Charlie Wright(2010)

    as Letvinko

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Rizzoli & Isles(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Vladmir Papov

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • God's Smile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Angels & Demons(2009)

    as Cardinal Petrov

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergei Vetotchkin

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Say It in Russian(2007)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Spider-Man 3(2007)

    as Mr. Ditkovitch

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Dukes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Murph Sinitsky

  • Color of the Cross(2006)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Heroes(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Ivan Spector

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Elder Son(2006)

    as Uncle Fedya

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Arseny Lysowsky

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Priest

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Wheelmen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Vladimir

  • Spider-Man 2(2004)

    as Mr. Ditkovitch

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Goran Petrovic

  • Alias(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Josef Vlachko

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Agency (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 4 episodes · as Borovinsky

  • Thirteen Days(2000)

    as Anotoly Dobrinyn

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Invisible Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Dimitri Yevchenko

  • Runaway Virus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Father Vadim

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Zubatov

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Running Red(1999)

    as Strelkin

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • October Sky(1999)

    as Ike Bykovsky

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Becker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 3 episodes · as Alexei

  • Felicity(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Bela

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest(1997)

    as Boris

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Alright Already (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Air Force One(1997)

    as Andrei Kolchak

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery(1997)

    as General Borschevsky

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Forest Warrior(1996)

    as Buster

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Early Edition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Vadim

  • Something So Right (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Yuri

  • Spy Hard(1996)

    as Professor Ukrinsky

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • VR.5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Zoloft

  • Love Affair(1994)

    as Ship Captain

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Ellen(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergei

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • The Pickle(1993)

    as Russian Cap Driver

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Corp. Yuri Petrovsky · as Misha

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Walker, Texas Ranger: One Riot, One Ranger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Misha

  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · as Vladimir

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • The Larry Sanders Show(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Nicolae

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Northern Exposure(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Nikolai Apalanov

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Enemies, a Love Story(1989)

    as Yaska Kobik

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Big Man on Campus(1989)

    as Taxi Driver (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • True Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 13 episodes · as Yuri

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Major Yuri Kosenko

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Coach(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Officer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • DeepStar Six(1989)

    as Burciaga

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Roseanne(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Zits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Timoshenko

  • Vice Versa(1988)

    as Kerschner

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • CBS Summer Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Serge

  • Combat High(1986)

    as Interpreter

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Streets of Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Klebanov

  • The Name of the Rose(1986)

    as Severinus

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • My Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Slovack

  • MacGyver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Yuri Demetri

  • The Comedy Factory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Sasha Zhukov

  • Embassy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Aelx Serov

  • 2010: The Year We Make Contact(1984)

    as Maxim Brailovsky

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Moscow on the Hudson(1984)

    as Anatoly Cherkasov

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Masquerade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Nuclear Facility Clerk

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Peltrovich

  • American Pop(1981)

    as Tuba Player (voice)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Raise the Titanic(1980)

    as Marganin

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Being There(1979)

    as Karpatov

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Butch and Sundance: The Early Days(1979)

    as Book-keeper

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The World's Greatest Lover(1977)

    as Actor with Bad Breath

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The San Pedro Beach Bums (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Long Recess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as red-haired student

  • Telegram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Teacher (uncredited)

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 91 titles from 1972 to 2026; peak year 1998.

Biggest box office

October Sky (1999)

$35M worldwide

Highest rated

October Sky (1999)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The Name of the Rose (1986)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19722026

Peak 1998 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting91 of 91: 91 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score51st

By decade

1970s6 · acting1980s23 · acting1990s23 · acting2000s19 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 28 roles
72879707

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Elya Baskin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 27th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

27thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 59 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th16

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 59 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Color of the Cross (2006)

95th percentile spread · 70% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Being There (1979)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 49. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Elya Baskin's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 73 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles15–76 · median 42 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 57 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 7 · minimalMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 62 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Elya Baskin work with?

People who share at least 2 of Elya Baskin's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Paul Mazursky shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles