Finnish actors born in 1922
Here are 7 famous actors from Finland were born in 1922:
Tapio Hämäläinen
Tapio Hämäläinen (June 18, 1922 Uukuniemi-January 28, 2008 Helsinki) also known as Emil Tapio Hämäläinen, Eemil Tapio "Tapsa" Hämäläinen or Tapio Hamalainen was a Finnish actor.
He was part of the Helsinki City Theatre for over 30 years and was widely regarded as one of the most talented actors of his generation. Hämäläinen appeared in numerous films, TV shows, and plays throughout his career and won many awards for his acting, including the Jussi Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1986. He was also a prolific voice actor, lending his voice to many popular animated characters in Finnish versions of international films and TV shows. In addition to his acting work, he was also a talented musician and played several instruments, including the accordion and harmonica. Hämäläinen continued to act well into his 80s, and is remembered as a beloved figure in Finnish entertainment.
Heikki Savolainen
Heikki Savolainen (April 9, 1922 Pori-January 22, 1975) was a Finnish actor.
Heikki Savolainen started his acting career in the 1940s and quickly became popular amongst the Finnish audience for his natural acting style and stage presence. He performed in numerous plays, films, and television shows, working with many prominent Finnish directors and actors. Some of his notable roles were in the films "Kultainen vasikka" (The Golden Calf) and "Punainen viiva" (The Red Line). Savolainen was also admired for his voice, and he lent his voice to many Finnish dubbing works. In addition to acting, he was actively involved in the Finnish theater scene and directed several plays. Savolainen's untimely death at the age of 52 shocked the Finnish entertainment industry, and he is remembered as one of the finest actors of his generation in Finland.
Rolf Labbart
Rolf Labbart (April 2, 1922 Mänttä-) a.k.a. Rolf Gustav Labbart is a Finnish actor.
He began his acting career on the stage in the early 1940s and then transitioned to film in the 1950s. Labbart has appeared in over 50 feature films, including "Häpy Endkö?" (1977), for which he won a Jussi Award (Finnish equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Additionally, he has worked extensively in television, performing in several popular Finnish TV series throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In addition to his acting work, Labbart is also known for his philanthropic endeavors, particularly his support for programs that aid the elderly and disabled. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his contributions to Finnish culture, and in 2001, he was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal.
Matti Lehtinen
Matti Lehtinen (April 24, 1922 Lappeenranta-) also known as Matti Kalervo Lehtinen is a Finnish singer, professor and actor.
Lehtinen began his career as a singer, winning the national singing competition in Finland in 1944. He went on to perform in operas and musicals both in Finland and abroad, becoming known for his powerful baritone voice. In 1957, he became a professor of voice at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where he would remain until his retirement in 1986.
Lehtinen also pursued acting, appearing in multiple Finnish films and TV shows throughout his career. He was particularly known for his role as TV host in the popular Finnish children's show Pikku Kakkonen.
In addition to his impressive career in the arts, Lehtinen was also a noted philanthropist and humanitarian. He founded the Matti Lehtinen Foundation, which supports children's education and welfare programs in Finland and abroad. He also served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in the 1980s.
Lehtinen passed away in 1996, but his legacy as a talented performer and generous philanthropist lives on in Finland and beyond.
Hannu Halonen
Hannu Halonen (September 25, 1922 Mikkeli-March 7, 1974) otherwise known as Hannu Olavi Halonen was a Finnish actor and film score composer.
Halonen was born in Mikkeli, Finland and began his acting career in the 1940s, appearing in numerous Finnish films over the course of his career. He was known for his versatility in portraying a wide range of characters, from comedic to dramatic roles. In addition to his successful acting career, Halonen also composed music for a number of Finnish films, showcasing his skills as a talented composer.
Halonen's most notable roles include his portrayal of Elias in the film "Kulkurin valssi" (1951), and the character of Runar in "Tämä on sinun päiväsi" (1955). He also appeared in several popular Finnish television shows during the 1960s, such as "Teatterituokio" and "Niskavuoren Aarne".
Halonen passed away in 1974 at the age of 51, leaving behind a successful career in both acting and composing. Despite his short life, he made a lasting impact on Finnish cinema and remains a well-known figure in Finnish film history.
Leif Wager
Leif Wager (February 11, 1922 Helsinki-March 23, 2002 Helsinki) a.k.a. Wager, Leif or Leif Christian Wager was a Finnish actor.
Leif Wager began his acting career in 1944 with the role of Gabriel in the Finnish film Gabriel, tule takaisin. He went on to star in over 30 films during his career, including the popular Pikku Pietarin piha (Little Peter's Yard) and Kultainen vasikka (The Golden Calf). Wager was also a talented singer and recorded several songs throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Outside of his acting career, Wager was also known for his love of sailing and was a skilled sailor. He passed away in 2002 at the age of 80 in Helsinki, where he had spent his entire life.
Helge Herala
Helge Herala (September 30, 1922 Hämeenlinna-February 27, 2010 Helsinki) also known as Helge Frans Birger ”Heguli” Herala was a Finnish actor. He had one child, Heidi Herala.
Helge Herala was best known for his work in Finnish theatre and films. He began his acting career in the Finnish version of the classic play "Romeo and Juliet" (1949). Throughout his career, he acted in over 100 films, including "Rakas lurjus" (1959), "Pekka ja Pätkä neekereinä" (1960), and "Tähdet kertovat, komisario Palmu" (1962). In addition to his successful acting career, he was also actively involved in the Finnish theater scene, performing with the Finnish National Theater for over thirty years. Helge Herala was awarded the Jussi Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Vodkaa, komisario Palmu" (1969).