Graduated from a high school in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan. After that he also graduated from MFTI. The first time he appeared as a stage at the MGU Variety Studio Our Home in a stage addaptation of Kersanov's Story of Tsar Emelian. Since 1969 Filippenko was a key member of Taganka Theater. In 1975 he started performing at Vakhtangov Theater and staying with a theater troupe since. A famous Soviet and Russian actor. Filippenko was honored with People's Artist of Russia in 2000. His son Pavel 'Pashtet' Filippenko led a rock-group "I.F.K.".
