Mikhail Mikhaylovich Zhvanetsky (6 March 1934 – 6 November 2020 ) was a Soviet writer, satirist and performer of Jewish origin, best known for his shows targeting different aspects of the Soviet and post-Soviet everyday life. Zhvanetsky was born in Odesa, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union. His monologues and sketches were performed by Arkady Raikin, Roman Kartsev and Viktor Ilchenko. He joined the Union of Soviet Writers in 1978 and wrote several books.

Awards and honors

Zhvanetsky was granted the following honorary titles and decorated with the following orders: Boulevard of the Arts in Odesa was renamed Boulevard Zhvanetsky (5 April 2009). A minor planet, 5931 Zhvanetskij, discovered on April 1, 1976, is named after him (using different transliteration of the surname).