Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1956-04-22
- Born Place: Katiuzhanka, Kyiv Oblast, Ukrainian SSR, USSR [now Ukraine]
Also Known As:
Наталя Сумська, Natalia Sumska, Natalya Sumska, Наталья Сумская, Nataliya Sumskaya, Natalja Sumskaja
Nataliia Sumska
Nataliia Viacheslavivna Sumska, born on April 22, 1956, in Katyuzhanka, Kyiv Oblast, is a legendary Ukrainian theater and film actress and television host who holds the distinguished titles of People's Artist of Ukraine and laureate of the Shevchenko National Prize. Born into a celebrated acting dynasty, she is the daughter of Vyacheslav Sumsky and Hanna Opanasenko-Sumska and the elder sister of fellow acting icon Olha Sumska. After graduating from the Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University in 1977, she became a foundational member of the Ivan Franko National Academic Drama Theater, where she has starred in iconic productions such as Pygmalion, Eneida, and The White Crow. Her television career is equally prominent, notably as the host of the long-running humanitarian talk show Key Moment (Klyuchovyi moment) on Inter TV, which earned her widespread public affection for her empathetic screen presence. In the 2023 global animated hit Mavka: The Forest Song, Sumska voiced the character of The Healer (or the Wise Woman), a role that perfectly utilized her authoritative yet maternal vocal range. Her character serves as a vital bridge between the magical and human worlds, possessing deep knowledge of the forest's secrets and providing guidance to the young protagonists during their quest. Beyond her work in Mavka, Sumska has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including three Kyiv Pectoral awards for her stage work and the Golden Dzyga for her role in the film Black Raven. As of 2025, she continues to be an active force in Ukrainian culture, performing at the Franko Theater and participating in charitable artistic initiatives. She is married to the renowned actor Anatoliy Khostikoyev, with whom she often shares the stage, and she has two children, Daryna and Vyacheslav, who continue the family's artistic legacy.
