Finnish actors born in 1910
Here are 6 famous actors from Finland were born in 1910:
Vilho Siivola
Vilho Siivola (April 10, 1910 Valkeakoski-November 28, 1984 Helsinki) was a Finnish film director and actor.
Siivola began his career in the film industry in 1938 as an actor, appearing in several films before transitioning into directing in the 1940s. He went on to direct over 20 films, including the popular Finnish comedy "Komisario Palmun erehdys" (1960). Siivola was known for his ability to capture the essence of Finnish culture and society in his films. Aside from his work in film, Siivola was also an active member of the Finnish theater community and directed a number of plays throughout his career. He received numerous accolades for his contributions to Finnish cinema, including the Pro Finlandia medal in 1962.
Siivola's directing style was unique in that he often used satire and humor to address serious social issues, making his films both entertaining and thought-provoking. In addition to his well-known work in comedy films, he also directed dramas and historical films, showcasing his versatility as a director. Some of his notable works include "Vaimoke" (1941), "Rikas tyttö" (1953), and "Morsiuspuvussa" (1953). Siivola's legacy in Finnish cinema continues to be celebrated today, with many of his films still being watched and appreciated by audiences. Outside of his work in the arts, Siivola was known for his love of sports, particularly skiing and tennis.
Unto Salminen
Unto Salminen (March 23, 1910 Helsinki-August 16, 1972 Helsinki) otherwise known as Emil Kalervo Unto Salminen, Unto Emil Salminen or Unto Emil Kalervo Salminen was a Finnish actor. His child is called Esko Salminen.
Unto Salminen began his acting career in theatre before he transitioned to film. He appeared in over 70 films, including Akseli and Elina (1970), which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Salminen was also known for his roles in Finnish television series, such as Kankkulan kaivolla (1968) and Pulttibois (1957-1960). In addition to acting, Salminen was also a talented singer, and recorded several popular songs in the 1940s and 1950s. He was awarded a Jussi Award, the Finnish equivalent of an Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actor in 1945 for his performance in the film Suomisen taiteilijat. Salminen passed away in 1972 at the age of 62, leaving behind a legacy as one of Finland's most beloved actors.
Salminen was born into a family of artists, as his father was a painter and his mother was a pianist. He initially trained as a goldsmith before deciding to pursue a career in acting. Salminen's breakthrough in Finnish theatre came in the 1930s when he joined the Finnish National Theatre. He quickly gained a reputation for his ability to portray a wide range of characters, from comedic to dramatic. Salminen's popularity on stage led to him being cast in his first film role in 1938's The Women of Niskavuori.
During World War II, Salminen continued to act but also served in the Finnish army for three years. After the war ended, he resumed his acting career and was widely recognized as one of the most versatile actors in Finnish cinema. Salminen's popularity on screen only grew in the 1950s and 1960s, and he continued to act until his death in 1972.
In addition to his acting career, Salminen was widely respected for his advocacy of the Finnish language and culture. He was instrumental in the creation of a new Finnish spelling system that was adopted in 1951. Salminen was also a passionate supporter of the Finnish theatre and was involved in the creation of several new theatre companies during his career. He remains an iconic figure in Finnish entertainment and is remembered as a giant of Finnish cinema and theatre.
Kaarlo Wilska
Kaarlo Wilska (January 31, 1910 Viipuri Province-November 15, 1981 Helsinki) also known as Kaarlo ”Kalle” Johannes Wilska, Kaarlo Vilska or Kaarlo Johannes Wilska was a Finnish actor. He had four children, Eve Sippola-Wilska, Lea Sippola-Wilska, Anna Sippola-Wilska and Lauri Sippola-Wilska.
Wilska began his acting career in the 1930s and appeared in over 100 films throughout his career. He is known for his roles in films such as "The Earth Is a Sinful Song" (1948), "The White Reindeer" (1952) and "The Unknown Soldier" (1955). He also acted in theater productions at the Finnish National Theatre and was a prolific voice actor in radio and television dramas. Outside of his acting career, Wilska was an active member of the Finnish Social Democratic Party and served as a member of the Helsinki City Council from 1958 to 1968. Despite suffering from health issues in his later years, Wilska continued to act until his death in 1981.
Wilska was born in Viipuri Province, which was then a part of the Russian Empire. He attended the Turku Theater School and made his stage debut in 1930. In addition to his work in film, he also appeared in numerous television shows and radio plays. Wilska was a well-respected actor in Finland and was awarded several honors for his contributions to the arts. In 1967, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal and, in 1977, he was made a Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland. After his death, the Kaarlo Wilska Foundation was established to support aspiring actors and actresses.
Turo Kartto
Turo Kartto (May 13, 1910 Viitasaari-July 19, 1942 Helsinki) also known as Tuure Kartto or Tord Hjalmar Karlstedt was a Finnish actor, screenwriter and film director.
Born in Central Finland, Turo Kartto showed an early interest in acting and went on to study the craft at Helsinki's Theatre Academy. He quickly made a name for himself as one of the leading actors of his generation, known for his intense and nuanced performances on stage and screen.
In addition to acting, Kartto was also a prolific writer and director, and made several critically acclaimed films during his short career. Despite his success, Kartto's life was tragically cut short when he was killed in action during World War II, serving as a soldier for the Finnish army. Nevertheless, his contributions to Finnish theater and film have made him a beloved figure in the country's cultural history.
One of Turo Kartto's most notable accomplishments was his role in initiating the Finnish film industry. In the early 1930s, he was among a group of filmmakers who helped found Suomi-Filmi, one of the country's first film production companies. Kartto went on to direct and star in several of Suomi-Filmi's most successful films, including "The Milkmaid's Dream" (1934) and "The Inspector" (1935).
Beyond his film work, Turo Kartto was also an accomplished stage actor, performing in productions at some of Finland's most prestigious theaters. He was particularly acclaimed for his performances in works by Finnish playwrights like Aleksis Kivi and Juhani Tervapää, and was widely recognized as one of Finland's most versatile and talented actors.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, Kartto was also politically active, joining the Finnish Communist Party in the 1930s. He continued to express his left-leaning views in his film and theater work, with many of his works addressing issues of social justice and inequality. Though he faced censorship and persecution from the Finnish government for his political beliefs, Kartto remained committed to his principles until the end of his life.
Today, Turo Kartto is remembered as one of Finland's most gifted and influential artists, whose contributions to the country's cultural landscape continue to be celebrated and honored.
Harry Bergström
Harry Bergström (April 6, 1910 Tampere-November 12, 1989 Helsinki) also known as Harry Bergström orkestereineen, Harry Bergströmin orkesteri or Harry Bergströmin trio was a Finnish film score composer, actor and screenwriter.
Bergström was born in Tampere, Finland and started his career in the entertainment industry as a jazz musician, playing the piano and leading his own orchestra. He later transitioned to composing music for Finnish films, starting with his work on the film "Kaksi Viimeistä Yötä" (1936).
Over the course of his career, Bergström composed music for over 60 Finnish films and acted in a few as well. He was also a prolific screenwriter, having written the screenplays for seven films.
Bergström's most famous work includes his compositions for the films "Tuntematon Sotilas" (1955) and "Niskavuoren Aarne" (1954), which have become iconic in Finnish cinema. He was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1965 for his contributions to Finnish culture.
In addition to his work in the arts, Bergström was also active in sports and served as the chairman of the Finnish Athletics Association from 1957 to 1965. He passed away in Helsinki in 1989.
Bergström was a pioneer of jazz music in Finland and is regarded as one of the country's most significant jazz pianists. His jazz band, Harry Bergström orkestereineen, was one of the most popular in Finland during the 1930s and 1940s.
In addition to his film work, Bergström composed music for theater productions and television programs. He also worked as a producer and musical director for various theater companies, including the Finnish National Theater.
Bergström was also known for his political activism and was a member of the Finnish Communist Party until 1958. He was blacklisted by the Finnish Broadcasting Company for his political views, but was eventually reinstated in the late 1960s.
Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Bergström remained humble and approachable. He was known for his generosity and often gave his time and resources to charity.
Today, Bergström's music continues to be celebrated in Finland and his legacy as a composer and pianist has had a lasting impact on Finnish cultural history.
Kaarlo Nuorvala
Kaarlo Nuorvala (June 28, 1910 Vyborg-June 24, 1967 Helsinki) also known as Reino Arras, Hilkka Helovuo, Kalle Kivipää, Bob Palmer, Roy Milton, Max Dugan or Earl Kennington was a Finnish screenwriter, film director, actor, writer and novelist.
He began his career as a writer, publishing his first novel at the age of 21. He later went on to become a prolific screenwriter and director, working on over 50 films during his career. Some of his most notable works include the film "Radio tekee murron" (Radio Breaks the Barrier) which he co-wrote and directed in 1951, and the film "Kaksi Vihtoria" (Two Victorias) which he wrote and directed in 1957.
Despite his success in the film industry, Nuorvala also remained active as a writer and novelist throughout his career. He published several books, including a memoir about his experiences working in the film industry titled "Elämäni filmit" (My Life in Films). He was also a frequent contributor to magazines and newspapers in Finland.
In addition to his work in the arts, Nuorvala was also a prominent figure in Finnish society. He was an active member of the Social Democratic Party and served as a member of the Finnish parliament from 1950 to 1951. He was also a vocal advocate for workers' rights and social justice, often using his work as a platform to promote these issues.
Despite his busy schedule in the film industry, Kaarlo Nuorvala was also a family man. He was married twice, first to Raija Kivimäki in 1935, with whom he had three children. After their divorce, he later married Hilkka Helovuo in 1945, who would go on to work with him as an actress in several films. Nuorvala was known for his versatility and skill in various aspects of filmmaking, often taking on multiple roles in his productions, such as screenwriter, director, and actor. His work in the film industry contributed greatly to the development of Finnish cinema, and his legacy is still celebrated today. In 1963, he was awarded the State Prize for Literature in Finland.