In the history of Russian theater, the names of many outstanding actors have been preserved, who were once the idols of the public and demonstrated remarkable performances. One such actor was Nikolai Nikolaevich Khodotov, whose fate was as complex as the twentieth century itself. He was born into a poor family of a home advisor, and although his parents were not connected to the arts, Nikolai was fascinated by theater from a young age. He received his early education at the Petrozavodsk gymnasium, where his parents lived, and then moved with them to Kronstadt. There he completed his education and was already considered a talented amateur actor, but he aspired to more. In 1895, Nikolai Nikolaevich enrolled in Dramatic courses under the guidance of the famous actor and director Vladimir Nikolaevich Davydov, after which he began working at the renowned Alexandrinsky Theater.

Khodotov's career developed successfully. He attracted the attention of the outstanding actress Vera Fedorovna Komissarzhevskaya, who supported him in his creative development and remained friends with him until her death. Thanks to his talent, Nikolai Nikolaevich received numerous roles, performed in the capital, toured other cities, participated in the establishment of the New Theater, and wrote several plays. His success was evident, and the title of Honored Artist of the Imperial Theaters became the pinnacle of his pre-revolutionary career. After the events of 1917, Khodotov decided to stay in Petrograd and continued to work at the former Alexandrinsky Theater. Although the repertoire changed, he remained on stage for more than ten years. Only in 1929 did he leave the theater, holding the title of Honored Artist of the RSFSR, and appeared in two more films.

Nikolai Nikolaevich passed away on February 16, 1932, at the age of 53, unable to withstand the upheavals. He was initially buried at the Smolensk Orthodox Cemetery and later reburied in the Necropolis of the Masters of Arts.