Vesa-Matti Loiri
Encyclopedia
Vesa-Matti "Vesku" Loiri (born 4 January 1945, Helsinki
) is a Finnish
actor
, musician
and comedian
, best known for his role as Uuno Turhapuro
, whom he portrayed in a total of 20 movies between the years 1973 and 2004.
Loiri became an actor in 1962, when he had a role in the movie "Pojat", directed by Mikko Niskanen. Loiri did most of his work with Spede Pasanen
. In 2005
, he starred in the film Kaksipäisen kotkan varjossa
, which was directed by Timo Koivusalo
. Six films starring Loiri are in the Top 20 list of the highest grossing domestic films in Finland. Total amount of tickets sold to the screenings of these six films is 3,715,948.
As a musician
, Loiri has performed Perttu Hietanen's compositions, Eino Leino
's poems, Carl Michael Bellman
's drinking songs and Juha "Watt" Vainio
's songs. Loiri also plays the flute
, a talent he put to use representing Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980
in The Hague/Netherlands with the song "Huilumies
", dedicated to his flute. He finished last in a field of 19 participating countries. He has sold nearly a million albums in Finland and received 11 Gold certificates and 9 Platinum certificates.
He was the voice of the Genie in the Finnish dub of Disney's Aladdin, even performing the musical number Friend Like Me.
Loiri has also had a lifelong interest in sports. In billiards he had the office of chairman of the Finnish billiards association for multiple years.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
) is a Finnish
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, best known for his role as Uuno Turhapuro
Uuno Turhapuro
Uuno Turhapuro is a Finnish comedy character created by Spede Pasanen and played by Vesa-Matti Loiri. Originally appeared in Spede Show during 1971–1973, the character gained popularity through the Uuno Turhapuro films....
, whom he portrayed in a total of 20 movies between the years 1973 and 2004.
Loiri became an actor in 1962, when he had a role in the movie "Pojat", directed by Mikko Niskanen. Loiri did most of his work with Spede Pasanen
Spede Pasanen
Pertti Olavi "Spede" Pasanen was a Finnish film director and producer, comedian, humorist, inventor, TV personality and practitioner of gags....
. In 2005
2005 in film
- Highest-grossing films :Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top-grossing films that were first released in the United States in 2005...
, he starred in the film Kaksipäisen kotkan varjossa
Kaksipäisen kotkan varjossa
Shadow of the Two-headed Eagle is a 2005 Finnish film directed and written by Timo Koivusalo.-Plot:The film is about an early twentieth century Finnish poet under the Russian regime.-Cast:...
, which was directed by Timo Koivusalo
Timo Koivusalo
Timo Johannes Koivusalo is a Finnish actor, director, writer, columnist, composer and musician. His most successful film to date was Työnnän syvälle kammioon, which debuted in the movie theaters in 2001....
. Six films starring Loiri are in the Top 20 list of the highest grossing domestic films in Finland. Total amount of tickets sold to the screenings of these six films is 3,715,948.
As a musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, Loiri has performed Perttu Hietanen's compositions, Eino Leino
Eino Leino
Eino Leino was a Finnish poet and journalist and is considered one of the pioneers of Finnish poetry. His poems combine modern and Finnish folk elements. The style of much of his work is like the Kalevala and folk songs. Nature, love, and despair are frequent themes in Leino's work...
's poems, Carl Michael Bellman
Carl Michael Bellman
was a Swedish poet and composer. Bellman is a central figure in the Swedish song tradition and remains a very important influence in Swedish music, as well as in Scandinavian literature in general, to this day....
's drinking songs and Juha "Watt" Vainio
Juha Vainio
Juha Harri "Junnu" Vainio, also known as Juha "Watt" Vainio was a Finnish lyricist, singer, composer and teacher. With the lyrics or music to over 2,400 songs to his name, Vainio is as one of Finland's most prolific lyricists along with Reino Helismaa and Vexi Salmi...
's songs. Loiri also plays the flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, a talent he put to use representing Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980
Eurovision Song Contest 1980
The Eurovision Song Contest 1980 was the 25th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 19 April 1980 in The Hague. The presenter was Marlous Fluitsma, although each song was introduced by a presenter from the nation represented...
in The Hague/Netherlands with the song "Huilumies
Huilumies
"Huilumies" was the Finnish entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1980, performed in Finnish by Vesa-Matti Loiri. The song was composed by Aarno Raninen, who also had composed 1977 entry "Lapponia"...
", dedicated to his flute. He finished last in a field of 19 participating countries. He has sold nearly a million albums in Finland and received 11 Gold certificates and 9 Platinum certificates.
He was the voice of the Genie in the Finnish dub of Disney's Aladdin, even performing the musical number Friend Like Me.
Loiri has also had a lifelong interest in sports. In billiards he had the office of chairman of the Finnish billiards association for multiple years.
Awards
- Honorary Jussi Award 1963 for his role in the film PojatPojatPojat is a 1962 Finnish war drama film directed by Mikko Niskanen. It is based on a novel by Paavo Rintala....
- Best male actor Jussi 1976 in Rakastunut rampa
- Best supporting male actor Jussi 1982 in Pedon merkki
- Jussi 1983 for his wide appearance in the year's films
- Concrete Jussi 1998
- Festival International du Film Indépendent awarded Loiri in BrusselsBrusselsBrussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
in 2003 for his role in Pahat pojatPahat pojatBad Boys is a 2003 Finnish crime drama film directed by Aleksi Mäkelä, based on the story of a notorious real-life family of criminals. It was the most successful film in Finnish theatres after The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2003, taking in $4,778,324. This makes the film one of... - Best Actor TelvisTelvisTelvis is a Finnish television award presented by the Katso magazine equivalent to the American Emmy Award. As of 2006, Telvis has been awarded 44 times , making it the oldest television award in Finland...
in 1984, 1986 and 1987 - Special Telvis in 1999
- Special Venla in 1989
- Black Nights Film Festival awarded Loiri in TallinnTallinnTallinn is the capital and largest city of Estonia. It occupies an area of with a population of 414,940. It is situated on the northern coast of the country, on the banks of the Gulf of Finland, south of Helsinki, east of Stockholm and west of Saint Petersburg. Tallinn's Old Town is in the list...
for A Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010
Albums
- 2003: Ystävän laulut
- 2004: Ystävän laulut II
- 2006: IvaloIvaloIvalo is a village in Inari Municipality, in Finland's Lapland Province, located on the Ivalo river 20 kilometres to the south of Lake Inari. It has a population of 3,998 and a small airport...
- 2007: InariInariInari may refer to:* Inari , a Shinto spirit** Mount Inari in Japan, site of Fushimi Inari-taisha, the main Shinto shrine to Inari** Inari Shrine, shrines to the Shinto god Inari* Inari Sami, one of the Sami languages...
(reached #1 in Finnish Albums Chart) - 2008: KasariKasariKasari is a village in Martna Parish, Lääne County, in western Estonia....
(reached #1 in Finnish Albums Chart) - 2009: Hyvää puuta
- 2010: Skarabee
- 2011: 'TBA'
Filmography
- Kaksipäisen kotkan varjossaKaksipäisen kotkan varjossaShadow of the Two-headed Eagle is a 2005 Finnish film directed and written by Timo Koivusalo.-Plot:The film is about an early twentieth century Finnish poet under the Russian regime.-Cast:...
(2005) - Uuno Turhapuro – This Is My LifeUuno Turhapuro – This Is My LifeUuno Turhapuro – This Is My Life is a 2004 Finnish comedy film, made as a tribute to Spede Pasanen. It is the twentieth and last part of the Uuno Turhapuro film series.-Plot:...
(2004) - Pahat pojatPahat pojatBad Boys is a 2003 Finnish crime drama film directed by Aleksi Mäkelä, based on the story of a notorious real-life family of criminals. It was the most successful film in Finnish theatres after The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2003, taking in $4,778,324. This makes the film one of...
(2003) - Rumble (2002)
- Hurmaava joukkoitsemurha (2000)
- Talossa on Saatana (1999)
- History Is Made at NightHistory Is Made at Night (1999 film)History Is Made at Night is a 1999 film directed by Ilkka Järvi-Laturi, and starring Bill Pullman, Irène Jacob, and Bruno Kirby...
(1999) - Sokkotanssi (1999)
- Johtaja Uuno Turhapuro – pisnismies (1998)
- Kummeli: KultakuumeKummeli: KultakuumeKummeli: Kultakuume is a 1997 Finnish comedy film starring Heikki Hela, Heikki Silvennoinen, Timo Kahilainen and Heikki Vihinen, stars of the Finnish sketch-series Kummeli. This was their second cinema-release after 1996's Kummeli: Stories. Unlike Stories, Kultakuume has a single plot whereas...
(1997) - Ruuvimies (1995)
- Kesäyön unelma (1994)
- Vääpeli Körmy – Taisteluni (1994)
- Uuno Turhapuron poika (1993)
- Ripa ruostuu (1993)
- Kuka on Joe Louis? (1992)
- Uuno Turhapuro, Suomen tasavallan herra presidentti (1992)
- Vääpeli Körmy ja vetenalaiset vehkeet (1991)
- Uuno Turhapuro, herra Helsingin herra (1991)
- Uunon huikeat poikamiesvuodet maaseudulla (1990)
- Tupla-Uuno (1988)
- Uuno Turhapuro – kaksoisagenttiUuno Turhapuro – kaksoisagenttiUuno Turhapuro – kaksoisagentti is a Finnish 1987 comedy film written and directed by Spede Pasanen. It is the twelfth film in the Uuno Turhapuro series, and at the same time the first one to be made without Ere Kokkonen. Its name translates to "Uuno Turhapuro – the double agent"....
(1987) - Älä itke Iines (1987)
- Pikkupojat (1986)
- Liian iso keikka (1986)
- Uuno Turhapuro muuttaa maalleUuno Turhapuro muuttaa maalleUuno Turhapuro muuttaa maalle is a 1986 Finnish film, the 11th film in the Uuno Turhapuro film series....
(1986) - Uuno EpsanjassaUuno EpsanjassaUuno Epsanjassa is a Finnish 1985 comedy film directed by Ere Kokkonen. It is the tenth film in the Uuno Turhapuro series. It was seen by more than 600,000 people in the theatres.-Plot:...
(1985) - Hei kliffaa hei! (1985)
- Kepissä on kaksi päätä (1985)
- Uuno Turhapuro armeijan leivissäUuno Turhapuro armeijan leivissäUuno Turhapuro armeijan leivissä is a 1984 Finnish comedy and the ninth film in the Uuno Turhapuro film series starring Vesa-Matti Loiri as the title character, Spede Pasanen as the potty-mouthed mechanic Härski Hartikainen, and Simo Salminen as their constant companion Sörsselssön...
(1984) - Lentävät luupäät (1984)
- Uuno Turhapuron muisti palailee pätkittäin (1983)
- Jon (1983)
- Ulvova mylläri (1982)
- Uuno Turhapuro menettää muistinsa (1982)
- Uuno Turhapuron aviokriisi (1981)
- Pedon merkki (1981)
- Tup-akka-lakko (1980)
- Koeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelitKoeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelitKoeputkiaikuinen ja Simon enkelit is a 1979 comedy directed, written and starring Spede Pasanen, along with the typical comic-cast of Simo Salminen, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Tapio Hämäläinen and Olavi Ahonen....
(1979) - Rautakauppias Uuno Turhapuro, presidentin vävy (1978)
- Häpy Endkö? Eli kuinka Uuno Turhapuro sai niin kauniin ja rikkaan vaimonHäpy Endkö? Eli kuinka Uuno Turhapuro sai niin kauniin ja rikkaan vaimonHäpy Endkö? Eli kuinka Uuno Turhapuro sai niin kauniin ja rikkaan vaimon is a Finnish 1977 comedy film written by Spede Pasanen and directed by Ere Kokkonen. It is the fourth film in the Uuno Turhapuro series...
(1977) - Tykkimies Kauppalan viimeiset vaiheet (1977)
- Lottovoittaja UKK TurhapuroLottovoittaja UKK TurhapuroLottovoittaja UKK Turhapuro is a Finnish 1976 comedy film written by Spede Pasanen and directed by Ere Kokkonen. It is the third film in the Uuno Turhapuro series...
(1976) - Seitsemän veljestä (1976)
- Rakastunut rampa (1975)
- Professori Uuno D.G. TurhapuroProfessori Uuno D.G. TurhapuroProfessori Uuno D.G. Turhapuro is a Finnish 1975 comedy film written by Spede Pasanen and directed by Ere Kokkonen. It is the second film in the Uuno Turhapuro series.-Plot:Uuno is unemployed and his friends try to arrange a job for him...
(1975) - Robin Hood ja hänen iloiset vekkulinsa Sherwoodin pusikoissa (1974)
- Uuno TurhapuroUuno TurhapuroUuno Turhapuro is a Finnish comedy character created by Spede Pasanen and played by Vesa-Matti Loiri. Originally appeared in Spede Show during 1971–1973, the character gained popularity through the Uuno Turhapuro films....
(1973) - Lasinen eläintarha (1973)
- Hellyys (1972)
- HirttämättömätHirttämättömätThe Unhanged is a 1971 Finnish western comedy film directed by Spede Pasanen and Vesa-Matti Loiri. It is the sequel to the 1970 film Speedy Gonzales - noin 7 veljeksen poika...
(1971) - Kahdeksas veljes (1971)
- Jussi Pussi (1970)
- Pohjan tähteet (1969)
- LeikkikalugangsteriLeikkikalugangsteriLeikkikalugangsteri is a 1969 comedy directed by Ere Kokkonen, written and starring Spede Pasanen. It was released the same year as Spede's Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut and Pohjan tähteet...
(1969) - Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailutNäköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailutNäköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut is a 1969 Finnish comedy by Spede Pasanen. It features one of the most famous appearances by Vesa-Matti Loiri outside his Uuno Turhapuro persona also created by Pasanen. The film also features a famous cameo of the Finnish pop-star Danny.The film is often...
(1969) - Oma (1969)
- Noin seitsemän veljestäNoin seitsemän veljestäNoin seitsemän veljestä is a 1968 comedy by Spede Pasanen. The film is a loose parody of the Robin Hood story and also stars a take on the inventor Leonardo DaVinci. The film's cast is composed of Pasanen's stock actors...
(1968) - Luule kanssamme (1968)
- Lapualaismorsian (1967)
- PojatPojatPojat is a 1962 Finnish war drama film directed by Mikko Niskanen. It is based on a novel by Paavo Rintala....
(1962)