Honored Artist of the RSFSR (10.31.1988). People's Artist of Russia (8.01.1999). At school, he took an active part in the activities of the drama circle. In 1973 he graduated from the acting department of LGITMiK (workshop of Vasily Merkuryev and Irina Meyerhold). Actor of the Academic Drama Theater named after A.S. Pushkin (Alexandrinsky Theater, St. Petersburg). He made his film debut in 1973 in the movie Smart Things. In the role of a soldier, Ivan Varezhkin was the host of the popular children's program "Tale after Tale" of Leningrad television. Actively engaged in dubbing. Since 2008, he has been Chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the Union of Theater Workers of Russia.