Mikhail Gorbachev he will always be remembered as the last leader of the Soviet Union, the man who led Russia from communism to capitalism, respected abroad for his democratic ideas, but somewhat hated by traditionalist Russians longing for the old red days. The politician died in Moscow on Tuesday at the age of 91.
But for pop culture, Gorbachev goes beyond his political interventions in the 1990s, and his encounters with Ronald Reagan or George Bush Sr. at the end of the Cold War. Many remember his performances for Pizza Hut and Louis Vuitton, in addition to the appearance of his character in Rocky IV and The Simpsons.
It even had a song dedicated to it by the Spanish group Locomía and won a Grammy. He is the most popular Gorbachev for the West.
Let’s go with these six pop interventions by Mikhail Gorbachev, the late last leader of the Soviet Union.
Present in Rocky IV
In 1985, Rocky IV represented another episode of the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union, this time with Sylvester Stallone as the protagonist, with Rocky Balboa as the character. In the final fight against Dolph Lundgren (Ivan Drago, in the movie), During the presentation of the red fighter with the anthem of the USSR, a character inspired by Mikhail Gorbachev appeared. Although uncredited, he was played by David Lloyd Austin.
Locomía and the dedication of a song
“Gorbachev is perestroika, Gorbachev is disarm, Gorbachev is convincing. He is a star, superstar”, is a letter of a song of the Spanish group Locomía, titled with the last name of the political leader. It was launched in 1989, two years before the end of the USSR, but when signs of opening up to the world were already visible.
Mikhail Gorbachev, Pizza Hut actor
The Soviet Union represented the communist alternative to US-driven capitalism. From the end of World War II to the early 1990s, both nations disputed the predominance in the world, with more or less dangerous situations that, although they did not lead to a direct war, did keep the planet on edge.
Gorbachev was responsible for the end of the USSR, due to the serious economic situation in the country. And in 1998, almost a decade after the event, the American chain Pizza Hut He offered to make a commercial in which he pointed to the Russian opening to the outside.
In advertising it stood out, due to the reaction of the people, how it was seen Gorbachev from two perspectives: that of the respected political leader who gave economic freedoms to Russia, and that of the hated man who put the Soviet Union to the grave.
How much did he get paid for his performance? One million dollars.
Simpsons character
The Simpsons have always set the tone on the pop planet, ironizing about world situations, making room for political, social and sports characters in the series. One of them was Gorbachev, in the episode Two Bad Neighbors (1996), where Homer confronts George Bush. Gorbachev goes to visit his former counterpart in Springfield, getting a surprise. Hank Azaria did the voice of the Russian leader.
Taking care of your Louis Vuitton bag
In 2007, Mikhail Gorbachev participated in a Louis Vuitton campaign, sitting in the back of a vehicle, with his branded bag next to him. In the background, remains of the Berlin Wall can be seen. Quite a symbol of the collapse of communism.
Grammy winner along with Bill Clinton and Sophia Loren
What if, Mikhail Gorbachev won a Grammy Award: It happened in 2004, and it was together with former US President Bill Clinton and Italian actress Sophia Loren. Did he sing, the former Soviet leader? No: he read a children’s story. A whole character.