 Merited Artist of the Russian Federation

Merited Artist (, "Zasluzhennyy artist", also translated as Meritorious Artist, Deserved Artist, Distinguished Artist, Honoured Artist or Honorable Actor) is an honorary title in the Soviet Union, Russian Federation, Union republics, and Autonomous republics, also in some other Eastern bloc states, as well as in a number of post-Soviet states.The title is awarded by the national government to actors, directors, film makers, writers, dancers, singers, painters, architects, etc., for exceptional achievements in the arts.