She finished eight grades, but was not able to complete her education, as the Great Patriotic War began.

She joined the Yarkov Choir, which performed in more than 500 military units, including front-line, over four years.

On one of the shoots she was noticed by the assistant director, who suggested that she try to enter Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography.

In the history of Soviet cinema Nina Agapova is remembered as the "queen of episodes".

The next came to her only ten years later, when she played Zinaida in Eldar Ryazanov comedy Give me a book of complaints.