Maria Bakalova

Actress
Producer
Writer

Academy Award nominee Maria Bakalova reveals how she transformed into Tutar for her role in 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.' She dives deep into how she created the character, what the hardest scene to shoot was, and why she occasionally had to carry a fish in her pocket.

Play clip4:28

'Borat' Star Maria Bakalova Had No Idea What She Was Auditioning For

Maria Bakalova was born on June 4, 1996 in Burgas, Bulgaria. At the age of six she started singing and flute lessons. She studied at the National School of Arts in Burgas, majoring in acting for drama theater and a second major in flute. After that she studied at the National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia. In 2019 she successfully graduated.

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Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 30 wins & 48 nominations total

'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' and More on Prime Video

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List

Photos114

+ 110

Known for

Sacha Baron Cohen in Borat, nouvelle mission filmée : Livraison bakchich prodigieux pour régime de l'Amérique au profit autrefois glorieuse nation Kazakhstan (2020)

Borat, nouvelle mission filmée : Livraison bakchich prodigieux pour régime de l'Amérique au profit autrefois glorieuse nation Kazakhstan

6.6

Tutar Sagdiyev

2020

The Apprentice

7.1

Ivana Trump

2024

Bodies Bodies Bodies

6.2

2022

Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Sean Gunn, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, and Maria Bakalova in Les Gardiens de la Galaxie Vol. 3 (2023)

Les Gardiens de la Galaxie Vol. 3

7.9

Cosmo(voice)

2023

Credits

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Actress

What Stays After
6.9
Short
- Maggie
- 2025
O Horizon
7.2
- Abby
- 2025
Creature Commandos
7.8
TV Series
- Princess Ilana
- Old Woman (voice)
- 2024–2025
Dirty Angels
4.4
- The Bomb
- 2024
Triumf
5.5
- Slava Platnikova
- 2024
The Apprentice
7.1
- Ivana Trump
- 2024
Unfrosted
5.5
- Rada Adzhubey
- 2024
Electre
5.5
- Francesca
- 2024
Blood Weed
7.1
Podcast Series
- Yelena (voice)
- 2023
Les Gardiens de la Galaxie Vol. 3
7.9
- Cosmo (voice)
- 2023
Fairyland
6.5
- Paulette
- 2023
The Honeymoon
4.1
- Sarah
- 2022
Les Gardiens de la galaxie : Joyeuses fêtes
6.9
TV Special
- Cosmo the Dog
- 2022
La Bulle
4.7
- Anika
- 2022
Bodies Bodies Bodies
6.2
- Bee
- 2022

Producer

In-development projects at IMDbPro

Verified affiliations

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Trivia
Is the first Bulgarian actor or actress to be nominated for a Golden Globe award, a SAG award, a Critics Choice award, a BAFTA or an Academy Award.

Quotes
[on Borat, nouvelle mission filmée : Livraison bakchich prodigieux pour régime de l'Amérique au profit autrefois glorieuse nation Kazakhstan (2020)] I believe a lot of people can recognize themselves with the character of Tutar. She has a huge heart, full of dreams. We're living at a time when people are ready to stand up against misogyny and people are willing to support each other more and more.

FAQ

How old is Maria Bakalova?
29 years old
When was Maria Bakalova born?
June 4, 1996
Where was Maria Bakalova born?
Burgas, Bulgaria
How tall is Maria Bakalova?
5 feet 5 inches, or 1.65 meters
What is Maria Bakalova known for?
Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and The Apprentice