Jüri Krjukov

Jüri Krjukov was born in Tallinn to Igor Krjukov, an engineer of Russian origin, and Maria Krjukov (née Pirson), who was Estonian. He had an older brother Oleg, seven years his senior. When he was six-months-old, his father died and his mother supported the family by working as a hairdresser.

In 1968, aged fourteen, Krjukov made his film debut in a starring role as Ilmar, an Estonian boy in the Pioneer organization, in the Aleksandr Kurochkin directed Russian language children's film Passenger from the "Equator". After filming, he returned to his studies at the Tallinn Secondary School No. 7 (now, Tallinn English College), graduating in 1972.

Afterwards, he enrolled at the Tallinn Conservatory to study acting under instructor Voldemar Panso, graduating in 1976. His is graduating classmates included: Merle Karusoo, Ago-Endrik Kerge, Urmas Kibuspuu, Kalju Orro, Anne Paluver, Külliki Tool, Lembit Peterson, Priit Pedajas, Eero Spriit, and Peeter Volkonski. His diploma production roles were as Kägu in August Kitzberg's Kosjasõit and Director in Luigi Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author