Dmitry Romanov is a popular stand-up comedian, screenwriter, and television presenter. Born on August 5, 1985, in Odesa (Ukraine). Rose to widespread prominence in Russia as a resident of the "Stand Up" show on the TNT network and headliner of multiple comedy projects. From 2019 to 2022, he hosted an authored segment on "Evening Urgant". In early 2024, he announced that he was ending his career as a stand-up comedian to work with clients as a personal growth coach.
Prior to the outbreak of the full-scale invasion, Dmitry Romanov lived and built his career in Moscow, becoming one of the highest-paid stand-up comedians. In his routines, he frequently joked about his Odesa roots and Jewish heritage, yet largely avoided political topics.
In interviews, he emphasized that Moscow offered him immense professional opportunities, and he felt part of the cultural space of both nations without dividing them through antagonistic borders.
Dmitry Romanov's Stance on the War in Ukraine
Following February 24, 2022, the artist adopted an uncompromising anti-war stance. On Instagram, Dmitry Romanov published a post expressing full support for Ukraine and repenting of his earlier timidity:
This morning Russian troops began shelling my homeland. That is a fact. My friends and relatives in Odesa are terrified. That is a fact... All these years I never spoke out about the situation. Did I not care? No, I did care. I was afraid of ruining my career... There are many brave people in Russia, but mostly they are all in prison... I want to tell you, my Ukrainian brothers, that I am proud of you — proud that, unlike me, you fear no one... I admire your courage. And I want you to know — the truth is on your side. You are defending your home. You didn't ask anyone for «help», yet it came to you... I love Ukrainians very much, I love Russians very much. Neither group wants this war...
He immediately left Russia.
In April 2022, Romanov addressed fellow artists, calling on them to cease being "accomplices" and enabling the regime through their silence:
The main thing I want to dispel is the illusion that if you stay silent, it supposedly means it's unclear whether you are for or against. Unfortunately, right now there can no longer be half-tones. If you are against — you say you are against. If you stay silent — that means you are for it. Through your silence, you are helping the regime. In essence, you are staying silent for money. By remaining silent, you are providing assistance.
In May 2022, in an interview with Yuri Dud, the comedian elaborated on the reasons behind his departure from Russia and his attitude toward colleagues who endorsed the invasion:
On the war: «An unfree country cannot 'liberate' a free country. It is difficult to liberate someone who is freer than you.
On life in Russia after 2014: «I probably thought, how does my continuing presence and work in Russia harm Ukraine? And I didn't find a clear answer or a clear correlation... People can talk all they want about me changing my stance... but I had one opinion, and it became another... At that time I didn't understand it. I only realized it now... Prior to all this, I wouldn't say I didn't have this position, but I considered expressing it inappropriate for myself — fearing I would lose something.
Criticism of pro-war artists: «I'm in shock; I watched the concert at Luzhniki. That Pevtsov with the letter Z. That Mashkov with the letter Z in his head. It is complete shame and disgrace. There is a saying, no offense meant, that actors aren't intellectual heavyweights.
On his Russian passport: «If they strip me of citizenship, I won't be upset. It's a hassle; perhaps to give it up you need to travel to Russia, obtain various certificates... I definitely have no intention of going to Russia.
On supporting the Ukrainian army: «The idea of the Ukrainian army holding the defensive lines is to safeguard human life... That is why Ukrainian men took up arms and endure.
Volunteering
Following his relocation to Europe, Dmitry worked as a volunteer in Polish aid centers assisting Ukrainian refugees.
Deprivation of Russian Citizenship
In April 2025, it was announced that Romanov had been stripped of his Russian citizenship and banned from entering the Russian Federation at the initiative of the FSB.
