Marziyya Davudova

Marziyya Yusuf qizi Davudova, also spelled Marziya Davudova, (; ; 8 December 1901 – 6 January 1962) was a Russian-born Soviet Azerbaijan actress who starred in theatre and silent film. She was awarded the People's Artist of the USSR (1949). Early life and career Marziyya Davudova was born on 8 December 1901 in Astrakhan, Russian Empire (now Russia), into a family of Astrakhan Tatar origins. She graduated from the Jamiyyat-i Kheyriyya Islamiyya school. In 1917, she debuted as an actress at the local Astrakhan Tatar Drama Theatre. In 1918, her talent was noticed by Azerbaijani actor Huseyn Arablinski who was visiting Astrakhan at the time. After the play and a short interview, Arablinski invited Davudova to pursue an acting career in Baku. In 1920, she settled in Baku, Azerbaijan and joined the Arablinski theatre troupe, acting at the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre.