In the shocking video, Valery Titenko, 67, can be seen enthusiastically entertaining the children before falling backwards and lying still on the floor. The actor was dressed in a full Father Christmas suit, known as Ded Moroz or Father Frost, to perform at a children’s party in Kemerovo, Siberia. He had complained of chest pains at the time, but said he wanted to carry on with his performance and not let the children down. During the show, Mr Titenko raced across the room as he chased the children, delighting the youngsters in a riveting Christmas play.
Shortly after, Mr Titenko unexpectedly collapsed backwards next to a Christmas tree, and one worker dressed as a clown could be seen rushing to his aid.
Some children rushed to him appearing to think it was part his performance, while some placed their hands on their mouths in shock.
Mr Titenko was rushed to hospital in an ambulance but was pronounced dead shortly after.
The 67-year-old was a well-known actor in Kemerovo, Siberia, located 2,2000 east of Moscow.
Mr Titenko underwent complicated heart surgery prior to his performance, but continued to work full time on stage, according to a spokesman at the Musical Theatre of Kuzbass, where the actor had worked.
The spokesman told the Daily Mail Online: “In recent years his health was not ideal.
“He had been through complicated heart surgery, but still performed on the stage and had been working at full capacity, not sparing himself.”
A medical source said: “The man felt ill in the kindergarten. He was taken in an ambulance but died on the way to the hospital.”
In Slavic folklore, Father Christmas is known as Ded Moroz or Grandfather Frost, a fictional character who brings presents to well-mannered children on New Years’ Eve.
Ded Moroz wears a long red or blue fur coat, round fur hat and has a long white beard.
He walks around with a long magic staff and is said to live in the Białowieża Forest, situated across the European Plain near Poland.