Between 1935 and 1939, Popov studied acting at the Drama Studio of the Red Army Theatre in Moscow.

During World War II, Popov entertained soldiers at the front-lines.

After his father's retirement in 1963, Andrei Popov succeeded him as the artistic director of the Soviet Army Theatre.

There he co-starred in several stage productions together with such partners as Smoktunovsky, Yefremov, Tabakov, and other stars of Russian theater.

Andrei Popov was designated a People's Artist of the USSR and also received the Stalin Prize.