Kenes Azimkhanuly Nurlanov was born on March 1, 1962, in the Aktoğay district of the Karaganda region.

From 1969 to 1979, he graduated from the Aktoğay village secondary school.

From 1979 to 1983, he studied at the T. Zhurgenov Institute of Arts under the guidance of the People’s Artist of the USSR and State Prize laureate, Professor Sh. Zhandarbekova, specializing in cinema and drama acting.

In 1983, he joined the G. Müsirepov State Youth and Children’s Theater.

In 1993, he moved to the M. Auezov State Academic Drama Theater of Kazakhstan.

In 1996, he was awarded the Kazakhstan Youth Union Prize.

In 2006, he received the Medal for “Meritorious Labor of Kazakhstan.”

In 2007, he was invited to continue his acting career at the Kalibek Kuanyshbayev State Academic Kazakh Musical Drama Theater in the capital, where he still works.

In 2012, in honor of the 21st anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence, he was awarded the title “Honored Worker of Kazakhstan.”

Since 2014, the Kenes Nurlanov Prize has been awarded annually to young talents, named after the Honored Worker of Kazakhstan and the laureate of the Kazakhstan Youth Union Prize.

In 2016, the actor, portraying the character of Firs in Anton Chekhov’s comedy The Cherry Orchard, won the “Best Performance” award at the XXIV Republican Festival held in Aktobe. Additionally, at the VI International Drama Theaters Festival “Kazakhstan – Heart of Eurasia” in Central Asia, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s independence, he won the Grand Prix. In 2017, his performances at the V International Small Form Theater Festival “CHELoBEK THEATER” in Chelyabinsk (Russia) and the XIII International Theater Festival of Turkic Peoples “NAURYZ” in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, were highly praised by theater critics. The director of these productions was Sergey Potapov, a recipient of the “Golden Mask” Award, and the Honored Artist of the Republic of Yakutia.

In 2021, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Kalibek Kuanyshbayev Theater, Kenes Nurlanov was awarded the “30th Anniversary” Medal by the Minister of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan.

Roles in the Theater:

• M. Makatayev, “Dariğa Zhyrek” – Young Mukagali
• T. Nurmagambetov, “Lost Lake” – Kanat
• S. Balghabayev, “When the Girl Turns Twenty” – Esimseit
• S. Smataev, “Zar-Zaman” – Nurali Sultan
• B. Mukay, “Zamanakir” – Ali
• I. Saparbayev, “The Beauty from the Village” – Zhanibek
• M. Auezov, “Ayman-Sholpan” – Kortyk Shal
• M. Auezov, “Karagoz” – Narsha
• M. Auezov, “Enlik-Kebek” – Kebek
• M. Auezov, “Abyi” – Abdrakhman, Kerim
• G. Müsirepov, “Kozy Korpesh – Bayan Sulu” – Kozy
• Koder, “Akan Seriye – Aktoqty” – Balta
• M. Makatayev, “Goodbye Love” – Kasym
• G. Hauptmann, “Twilight Love” – Ganefeld
• S. Mukhanov, “Pure Love” – Burkit
• R. Mukhanova, “Eternal Child’s Image” – Kamar
• C. Gozzi, “Princess Turandot” – Kalaf
• S. Toraygirov, “Khamar Sulu” – Akhmet
• Sh. Aitmatov, “The White Ship” – Momin Shal
• A. Nurpeisov, “Blood and Sweat” – Qudaymende
• O. Bokey, “My Beloved” – Karajan
• M. Shahanov, “Urgent” – Shokan
• E. Khushvakhtov, “Red Apple” – Orazbay
• A. Tsagereli, “Gamardzhoba” – Akop
• Q. Junisov, “Love Melodrama” – Amiru
• I. Strauss, “The Marriage Puzzle” – Amadei
• M. Frisch, “Don Juan’s Feast” – Don Diego
• E. Zhuasbek, “Deep Roots” – Askar
• W. Shakespeare, “Hamlet” – Polonius
• K. Shangytbaev, K. Baiseyitov, “Girls-Ai” – Abdiqadir
• Sh. Murtaza, “One Defective World” – Molda
• R. Otarbayev, “The Shadowless Traveler” – Police Major
• A. Chekhov, “The Cherry Orchard” – Firs Shal
• M. Auezov, “The Day of the Helpless” – Duysen
• Sh. Aitmatov, “The Tears of the Swan…” – Orazmat
• U. Esdaulat, “Zere” – Bektemir
• T. Asemkulov, “Kunanbay” – Zhoghi
• H. Altai, H. Oralty, “The People from Altai” – Kosh
• A. Menchell, “Autumn Twilight” – Sam

Filmography:

• Zhansibil – Mukatai
• Aydai Sulu Aysulu – Zhasygeldi
• Batyr Bayan – Noyan
• Mototsikl’di Adam – Sapar
• Zhetimder – Father
• Birjan Sal – Buidabek
• Karsi Bakyly – Aydin
• Arman Asuy – Bazarbek
• Auliet – Village Head
• Qarlygash – Zhamarat
• Sudagy Iz – Alibek

Kenes Nurlanov is a respected actor, known for his dedication to the theater and film arts, with numerous notable performances on stage and screen throughout his career.