Mikhail Zharov was born in Moscow.

He studied at the theater studio (1921).

He worked as an experienced hero in the theater (1921-1922), the Kazan Russian Theater (1928), the Azerbaijan State Russian Drama Theater (1926-1927, 1929), the Realistic Theater (1930), the Chamber Theater under the leadership of A. Tairov (1931-1937), the Maly Theater (1938-1981). He starred in numerous Russian films, directed 3 films as a director.

Laureate of the USSR State Prizes (1941, 1942, 1947), People's Artist of the USSR (1949), Hero of Socialist Labor (1974) Mikhail Zharov died in Moscow in 1981.