Vladimir Kozlov
A hulking WWE villain turned actor, he leveraged a formidable real-world combat sports pedigree to craft an intimidating screen presence.
Born 1979 (age 47)·Ukrainian-American actor and former professional wrestler·Birthday: April 27·Generation X
Biography
Born Oleg Prudius in Ukraine, the man known as Vladimir Kozlov built his physique and discipline through a staggering array of combat sports before stepping into the ring. Trained in sambo, judo, and kickboxing, he served in the Ukrainian military and even played professional rugby. This authentic background gave his WWE debut in 2006 an immediate air of menace; he was billed as an unstoppable Soviet brute, often winning matches decisively and without fanfare. While his in-ring character was defined by a cold, powerful simplicity, he captured the WWE Tag Team Championship with Santino Marella in an unlikely but popular pairing. After his wrestling chapter, he smoothly transitioned into acting, appearing in action films and series like 'The Scorpion King' and 'NCIS: Los Angeles,' using his physicality and presence to carve out a new niche.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Vladimir was born in 1979, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Vladimir Was Born
The biggest hits of 1979
#1 Movie
Kramer vs. Kramer
Best Picture
Kramer vs. Kramer
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Vladimir's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1979Born
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1984Started school
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1992Became a teenager
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1995Could drive
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1997Could vote
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2000Turned 21
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2009Turned 30
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 40
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 47 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Santino Marella in 2010.
- Maintained an undefeated singles streak on WWE television for over a year following his 2008 debut.
- Competed in the main event of WWE's 2009 Survivor Series pay-per-view in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship.
- Successfully transitioned to an acting career with roles in major film and television projects.
Did You Know?
He is a Master of Sports in Sambo, a Russian martial art, and was a champion kickboxer in Ukraine.
He played professional rugby for the Ukrainian national team and for a club in Moscow.
He served as a bodyguard for the Ukrainian president before pursuing wrestling.
He trained at the famed Hart Dungeon in Calgary under WWE Hall of Famer Stu Hart.
“My body is a weapon I forged in sambo, judo, and the military.”
