Vladimir Nikolov Penev was born on October 24, 1958. He is a Bulgarian actor, performing roles in film, television and theater. In 2013, he became culture minister in the caretaker government of Marin Raykov. In 2010 he was nominated for the Award Asker for Supporting actor in Pleasantly Scary at Theatre 199. On 20 December 2013 he was awarded the Prize Dublart Lifetime Achievement.