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Kari Väänänen

Actor

Kari Väänänen

Born September 17, 1953 in Ivalo, Finland66 films

Kari Kyösti Väänänen (born 17 September 1953 in Ivalo) is a Finnish actor and director. Domestically he is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. He was introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki; and belongs to the list of his "trusted" stable of actors.

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His most challenging role has been the eponymous mafia hitman of Rosso, for which he learned all his lines phonetically, without previously speaking a word of Italian. Kari Väänänen was featured in Star Wreck, a Finnish sci-fi parody where he played the Russian president. He also starred in Jim Jarmusch's 1991 film Night on Earth.

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The best way into Kari Väänänen's work
Drifting Clouds posterFirst watchDrifting Clouds19967.6as LauriThe ever-poker-faced Ilona loses her job as a restaurant hostess, as her tram driver husband, Lauri, also finds himself out of work.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
Night on Earth poster7.5Night on Earth1991La Vie de Bohème poster7.5La Vie de Bohème1992Leningrad Cowboys Go America poster7.0Leningrad Cowboys Go America1989Christmas Story poster7.2Christmas Story2007Calamari Union poster7.0Calamari Union1985Master Cheng poster7.0Master Cheng2019Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning poster6.8Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning2005Hamlet Goes Business poster6.7Hamlet Goes Business1987

Filmography

66 films as actor
  1. 2024The MissileUutis-Seppo
  2. 2022The Grump: In Search of an EscortTarmo
  3. 2019FingerporiHomelius
  4. 2019Master ChengRomppainen
  5. 2017Kiwi ChristmasSanta
  6. 2017Lapland Odyssey 3Räihäsen isä
  7. 2017KajaaniArvo
  8. 2015Dirty HandsIvan
  9. 2015We Are the Pirates of the RoadsHurja-Kaarlo
  10. 2013Arne's Legacy
  11. 2012The Rise and Fall of a FriendshipJalo Rautakumpu
  12. 2011Let My People Go !Mr. Tiilikainen
  13. 2009Backwood PhilosopherSeveri
  14. 2009The House of Branching LoveNiilo
  15. 2009One Foot UnderSalmela
  16. 2007Christmas StoryIisakki
  17. 2007V2: Dead AngelPolice Lieutenant Usko Saastamoinen
  18. 2006Rock'n Roll Never DiesLaakkonen
  19. 2006Onni von SopanenP.E. teacher
  20. 2005Star Wreck: In the PirkinningPresident Uljanov
  21. 2004Trench RoadJarmo Kesämaa
  22. 2004Honey Babyder Große Enrico
  23. 2003Land of LoveHannu Rinta-Perkiö
  24. 2002Kymmenen riivinrautaaHeikki Korkkalainen
  25. 2000Highway Society
  26. 2000Bad Luck LoveHeinonen
  27. 2000Lakeuden kutsuErkki Hakala
  28. 1999Spy GamesCabbie
  29. 1999AmbushCorporal Tauno Snicker
  30. 1999The Tough OnesTörnqvist
  31. 1998Train BirdsAsko, Milchfahrer
  32. 1996SambolicoEric
  33. 1996Drifting CloudsLauri
  34. 1995Iron HorsemenDarling
  35. 1994Leningrad Cowboys Meet MosesThe Mute
  36. 1993Goodbye GibraltarJorma
  37. 1993The Last BorderBorka
  38. 1993Ripa Hits the SkidsLynkkynen
  39. 1992MestariEero Tyrni
  40. 1992La Vie de BohèmeSchaunard
  41. 1991Night on EarthMan #1 Helsinki
  42. 1991Zombie and the Ghost TrainUpseeri (voice)
  43. 1990AmazonKari
  44. 1990Dolly and Her LoverDetective Karisto
  45. 1989Paper StarIlja Kulovaara
  46. 1989KukunorIhmissyöjä
  47. 1989Leningrad Cowboys Go AmericaIgor (Village Idiot)
  48. 1989Cha Cha ChaKari Pöllänen
  49. 1987Helsinki Napoli All Night LongAlex
  50. 1987Hamlet Goes BusinessLauri Polonius
  51. 1987Siriuksen vieraatAnders
  52. 1987Älä itke Iines
  53. 1986Näkemiin, hyvästi
  54. 1986Kuningas lähtee RanskaanNarrator
  55. 1986Harmagedon
  56. 1985The Unknown SoldierLammio
  57. 1985RossoRosso
  58. 1985YlösnousemusTouko Heinävesi
  59. 1985Calamari UnionFrank
  60. 1985Viimeiset rotannahat
  61. 1984The Clan: Tale of the FrogsLeevi Sammakko
  62. 1983Apinan vuosiRene
  63. 1983JonJon
  64. 1982Kuoleman hellä kosketusHullu
  65. 1981Pedon merkkiNuori kapteeni
  66. 1981The BreakthroughPolice officer (uncredited)