Aleksandr Baluev was born in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.

After unsuccessful attempts to enter the Boris Shchukin Theatre Institute he worked for a year as assistant illuminator in the light department at Mosfilm.

The second attempt was successful, with Aleksandr entering the Moscow Art Theatre School on Pavel Massalsky's course.

The first role in his theatrical career was playing in productions of Clock Without Hands and Lady of the Camellias.

In 1986, Aleksandr Baluev went to the Moscow Yermolova Theatre, playing leading roles in productions of The Second Year of Freedom, Snow Near the Prison, and Caligula.