Ingeborga Dapkunaite, the Lithuanian actress, has swiftly ascended to fame in Hollywood, as if destiny itself could not resist her charm. This phenomenon extends beyond her; one might ponder the reactions of luminaries such as Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and John Malkovich.
Every celebrity possesses their own signature poses for photo shoots. For instance, Emin is renowned for his “thumbs up,” Anna Kalashnikova delights in sending air kisses, and Vladimir Mishukov frequently showcases dance moves on the red carpet. Ingeborga Dapkunaite, too, has her distinctive social weapon—a captivating smile, which her first husband, Arunas Sakalauskas, affectionately referred to as “lethal.”
This characterization evokes the sense of a familial secret, one that may remain undisclosed to the public.
“Inga and I are friends, and we have a long-standing agreement not to discuss one another,” stated her ex-husband.
Thus, the enigma surrounding the charm of this seemingly aloof woman, coupled with her disarming smile, is likely to remain a private matter between Ingeborga and Arunas. However, we can trace her journey through the years.
Much like the tale of the Snow Queen, with her icy mountains and frozen rivers, Dapkunaite has left a trail of admirers captivated by her smile on her path to international acclaim. Notable figures such as Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Emir Kusturica, and Aleksandr Zhulin have been drawn into the orbit of the Lithuanian star. While they may not have openly declared their affections for the statuesque blonde, their admiration was evident in their eyes, even as others in her life expressed their delight more vocally.
Lithuania, Theatre, and First Love
Dapkunaite first encountered Arunas Sakalauskas at the Lithuanian Conservatory. The modest young man fell in love with the spirited actress at first sight but lacked the courage to approach her until his third year. At that time, her accolades did not yet include Hollywood films, the acclaimed “Intergirl,” or connections with Kevin Spacey, with whom she developed a close relationship while working abroad. Nevertheless, she was already a local celebrity, and her brilliance left Arunas feeling overshadowed.
“Inga resembled a fluttering elf. I painfully realized that I was unworthy…” Sakalauskas reminisced.
Perhaps he would never have revealed his feelings had she not reciprocated. The couple initially met in secret before deciding to marry. Despite her inherent leadership qualities, the actress valued her husband’s perspective, and when presented with an opportunity in Hollywood—a rare chance—her first words to him were, “If you do not wish for this, I will not go.”
Sakalauskas recognized his fear of losing his beautiful wife, yet he could not impede her pursuit of her primary passion—her career. As he bid her farewell at the airport, he sensed that it might be their final parting. After settling in America, Ingeborga confided to her husband that she had fallen in love with another individual—the director of the play to which she had been invited.
“Intergirl” Abroad
By this time, Dapkunaite had achieved significant stardom. Her role as the prostitute Kisuli in the film “Intergirl” marked a pivotal moment in cinema, and the actress herself proudly likened the film to Garry Marshall’s iconic work.
“In the Soviet Union, there was no discussion of sex, let alone prostitution, and we are speaking of a film that served as the Soviet equivalent of ‘Pretty Woman.’ It was the Cinderella story of the USSR. I cherish this film, although it may now appear somewhat naive,” Ingeborga remarked.
Thus, the Soviet Cinderella traversed the ocean, not to attend a ball, but to embrace the arms of British director Simon Stokes. It is important to note that upon her arrival in the United States and subsequently in Britain, she had no inkling that she would encounter her new love there; she diligently studied her lines on the plane to excel in her initial auditions.
Her efforts bore fruit. “The moment I saw this beautiful Lithuanian actress, I knew she would be my wife,” Simon declared in an interview. His prediction materialized, as the director and his muse wed in the theater foyer.
A Triangle of Love and Divorce
At least, this is what the tabloids reported, suggesting that the Yugoslav director had fallen for the stunning star while she was still married. In truth, their relationship became public only after Ingeborga’s divorce, thus she was officially single. Even prior to the finalization of the divorce, it was rumored that Dapkunaite had not cohabited with Stokes for some time, with claims that their decade-long marriage had faltered due to the absence of children.
However, journalists had little time to verify or refute these rumors, as they quickly turned their attention to her alleged romance with Kusturica. Speculation abounded regarding the nature of Emir and Ingeborga’s relationship, with paparazzi frequently capturing the couple at film festivals or in various European locales. Yet, all inquiries were met with the same retort: “We are friends; we are collaborating.”
“I am currently on holiday in the islands, while Emir is attending another film festival in Ossetia. He invited me, but I deceived him, claiming I was in Europe on business,” the actress shared. However, her playful banter with the press eventually backfired when Maja, Kusturica’s wife, discovered the affair. Upon his return to Serbia, he faced a serious conversation and a swift divorce. The media held its breath, anticipating an announcement regarding Ingeborga and Emir’s engagement.
The Star’s Journey
Ingeborga approached her third marriage not merely as a star, but as a Hollywood diva. By this time, she had appeared in “Mission Impossible,” portrayed Brad Pitt’s on-screen spouse, and defended Kevin Spacey’s honor following a high-profile scandal.
It is unsurprising that many of these men were openly enamored with the actress, as they themselves acknowledged the pleasure of working alongside her, increasing the likelihood of romantic entanglements following her previous relationships with Kusturica and Stokes.
“It is impossible not to fall in love with Tom Cruise!” Ingeborga confessed. “I have yet to meet anyone who, after encountering Tom, did not exclaim: ‘Oh my God! How wonderful he is!'” This statement alone led journalists to speculate about a romance between them. Furthermore, for Tom’s sake, the “Intergirl” opted to forgo the Oscar ceremony, where her film was awarded. Dapkunaite claimed she simply did not anticipate the victory, yet her decision was clearly motivated by romantic inclinations.
Moreover, there were compelling reasons to believe in the authenticity of the affair between the actress and John Malkovich. Notably, her first husband inadvertently revealed this connection, recalling her departure to America and her subsequent phone confession. “I love someone else,” the blonde stated. “Who is it—Malkovich?” Arunas inquired. “No.” “Who?” “Director Simon Stokes.” It is understandable why Sakalauskas would suspect the American producer, as he had known Dapkunaite for an extended period and shared a strong rapport with her both professionally and personally.
“Without Ingeborga, I am utterly helpless!” Malkovich once remarked. While their relationship may never have transcended friendship, it remains robust. In 2022, for instance, the two friends reunited to collaborate on the play “In the Solitude of the Cotton Fields.” It is worth noting that the director is captivated by the actress’s talent, as are all the men previously mentioned.
The Miracle of the Third Marriage
In her third marriage, the Hollywood star opted for the utmost discretion. Whether she was weary of the incessant speculation surrounding her personal life or simply yearned for the clandestine romance reminiscent of her youth, when she enjoyed a secret affair with Sakalauskas, remains unclear. Only a select few were privy to the identity of Dapkunaite’s third partner—a lawyer and restaurateur named Dmitry Yampolsky.
Wedding guests received a non-disclosure agreement along with their invitations to ensure the ceremony remained confidential. However, given the nature of this account, it is reasonable to assume that the secret eventually surfaced online. Additionally, it became known that Dmitry divorced his previous spouse to marry the actress. The lawyer’s ex-wife struggled to accept the separation, but eventually reconciled with the reality: “Men often seek variety. They grow bored even in complete harmony. Everything unfolded as it did.”
Yet, something “worked out” in the marriage between Dapkunaite and Yampolsky, which ultimately ended in divorce in 2017. Simultaneously, the actress unexpectedly revealed the existence of her son in a documentary about her life—she had managed to keep both her separation and the birth of her child a secret. Recall her union with the English director, which, according to rumors, ended due to the absence of an heir. And here lies the miracle…
The Silence of History
In recent years, Ingeborga has been the subject of speculation regarding her romantic involvements. Initially, there were rumors of a relationship with figure skater Alexander Zhulin, with whom she performed in an ice show, followed by journalist Mikhail Zygar, who was reportedly seen leaving her London residence.
In truth, these rumors may be mere fabrications; however, it is often said that there is no smoke without fire. The allure lies in the eyes of the men who fall for the slender blonde at first sight, regardless of her age.
“Our friends were also somewhat enamored with Ingeborga,” recalled the actress’s first husband. “It was impossible not to fall in love!” “I suspect our instructor also harbored a fondness for her. On one occasion, he even admonished her in front of the entire class: ‘Do we have only one girl? Why are you surrounding Dapkunaite?'” In response, Inga merely illuminated the room with her innocently mischievous smile, fully aware of the effect she had on those around her.
