Between 1935 and 1974 Merkuryev appeared in 58 films. He is mostly remembered for his comedy roles in movies such as "True Friends" (1954), "Heavenly Slug" (1945) and "Cinderella" (1947). He also played one of the main parts in the war drama "The Cranes Are Flying" directed by Mikhail Kalatozov that won the Palme d'Or at the 1958 Cannes Film Festival.