Finnish actors born in 1921
Here are 5 famous actors from Finland were born in 1921:
Heikki Packalén
Heikki Packalén (December 7, 1921 Rauma-October 6, 1989 Helsinki) was a Finnish television director and actor.
Packalén's career in the entertainment industry started in the 1940s as a radio announcer. He later transitioned into television, directing popular shows such as "Vaarallinen matka" and "Kuusi vaihtoehtoa". He was a pioneer in Finnish television and was instrumental in creating some of the earliest live broadcasts. Apart from directing, Packalén was also a prolific actor, appearing in several films and TV shows. Some of his notable roles include "Kultainen vasikka" (The Golden Calf) and "Komisario Palmun erehdys" (Inspector Palmu's Error). Packalén was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1967 for his significant contributions to Finnish television and theater.
Heikki Packalén was born in Rauma, a town on the west coast of Finland, in 1921. He graduated from high school in 1940 and began his career in entertainment shortly after. In addition to his work in radio and television, Packalén also acted on stage and appeared in thirty-seven films throughout his career.
Packalén’s contributions to Finnish television were significant. He was a trailblazer in the industry, working as both a director and producer. He also played a key role in the development of the first television news broadcasts in Finland. Many of Packalén’s productions were known for their high production values and innovative camera techniques.
In addition to his artistic endeavors, Packalén was also involved in politics. He was a member of the Helsinki City Council from 1973 until his death in 1989. Packalén was a passionate advocate for the arts, and his contributions to the Finnish cultural landscape were immeasurable. He passed away in Helsinki at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy that remains influential to this day.
Yrjö Kostermaa
Yrjö Kostermaa (February 23, 1921 Viipuri Province-September 16, 1997 Helsinki) also known as George Kostermaa was a Finnish film director and actor.
Kostermaa studied at the Helsinki Theatre Academy and went on to work at different theaters in Finland as an actor and stage director. He directed his first feature film, "Yhden yön hinta," in 1952 and went on to direct a total of 16 feature films in his career, including "Tuntematon sotilas" (1955), which is considered one of the greatest Finnish films of all time.
In addition to his work in film, Kostermaa also directed several television shows and was a professor at the University of Art and Design Helsinki.
As an actor, Kostermaa appeared in over 30 films and television series, including small roles in some of his own directed films.
Kostermaa was also a prolific writer, having written several plays and screenplays, including the screenplay for his most famous film, "Tuntematon sotilas". He was known for his attention to detail in his films and his ability to portray the complexity of human relationships. Kostermaa received multiple awards for his work, including the Jussi Award (the Finnish equivalent of the Academy Award) for Best Director in 1955 and 1956. In addition to his successful career in the arts, Kostermaa was also active in Finnish politics, serving as a member of parliament from 1970 to 1972. He passed away in 1997 in Helsinki at the age of 76.
Tarmo Manni
Tarmo Manni (July 30, 1921 Saarijärvi-September 24, 1999 Helsinki) was a Finnish actor.
He began his acting career in 1944 at the Helsinki City Theatre, and later worked in various theaters throughout Finland. Manni appeared in over 50 films in his career, including the lead role in the 1950 film "The Eternal Road," which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Story. He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to numerous animated films and television series. Manni was awarded the Pro Finlandia Medal in 1972 for his contributions to Finnish culture.
In addition to his work in theater and film, Tarmo Manni was a recognized television personality in Finland. He hosted his own talk show, "Tarmo," for several years in the 1970s and 80s, and was a frequent guest on other shows. He was known for his wit and charm, and was a beloved figure in Finnish entertainment. Manni was also an accomplished painter, and had several exhibitions of his artwork throughout his career. He died in 1999 at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy as one of Finland's most beloved actors and cultural figures.
Börje Lampenius
Börje Lampenius (December 18, 1921 Helsinki-) otherwise known as Tor Börje Lampenius is a Finnish actor. He has one child, Linda Brava.
Börje Lampenius is renowned for his career in the theatre, having acted in multiple productions throughout his career. He first made his name at the Helsinki City Theatre, where he worked as an actor for over two decades before moving on to pursue other professional opportunities. He is also known for his appearances in Finnish films and television programs. Notably, he appeared in the 1983 film 'Kolme viisasta miestä' directed by Ere Kokkonen, which was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 56th Academy Awards. Lampenius has received much recognition throughout his career, including a prestigious Pro Finlandia medal awarded to him in 1999 for his achievements in the arts.
In addition to his work on stage and in film, Börje Lampenius is also a well-respected teacher of acting. He has taught acting at multiple institutions, including the Helsinki Theatre Academy and the Sibelius Academy. Many of his students have gone on to successful careers in the entertainment industry both in Finland and internationally. Lampenius himself was trained at the Helsinki Theatre School, where he studied under renowned Finnish actor Tauno Palo. Throughout his career, he has been known for his versatility as an actor, having performed a wide range of roles across genres. Lampenius remains an active member of the Finnish theatre community, and has been recognized for his contributions to the arts with numerous awards, including the Finnish Cultural Foundation's Eino Salmelainen Award in 1987.
Matti Oravisto
Matti Oravisto (October 23, 1921 Helsinki-November 15, 2001 Helsinki) also known as Matti Kustavi Ollonqvist was a Finnish actor and film director. He had four children, Jaana Oravisto, Janne Oravisto, Meri Oravisto and Hannu Oravisto.
Oravisto began his career as an actor on stage at the Finnish National Theatre in Helsinki. He later transitioned to film, where he acted in several movies in the 1940s and 1950s, including "The Unknown Soldier" (1955), which is considered one of the greatest Finnish films of all time.
In the 1960s, Oravisto turned his focus to directing, and he directed several films, including "People in the Summer Night" (1962), which won the Finnish Jussi Award for Best Picture. He also directed several television productions for Yleisradio, the national public broadcaster of Finland.
Aside from his work in the entertainment industry, Oravisto was also a respected visual artist, creating paintings and sculptures throughout his life. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums in Finland, and he is considered one of the most significant figures in Finnish contemporary art.
Oravisto's legacy as an actor, director, and artist continues to influence and inspire creatives in Finland and abroad.
In addition to his work as an actor, film director, and visual artist, Matti Oravisto was also a writer. He published his first novel in 1954 and went on to write several more novels, poetry collections, and plays throughout his career. His literary works often explored societal issues and featured vivid, expressive language. In recognition of his contributions to Finnish culture, Oravisto received numerous awards throughout his lifetime, including the Pro Finlandia Medal, the Order of the Lion of Finland, and the State Prize for Art. He was also a member of the Finnish Academy of Arts and Letters. Oravisto remained active in his creative pursuits until his death in 2001 at the age of 80, leaving behind a rich and diverse body of work that continues to be celebrated in Finland and beyond.