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Jorma Tommila

Actor

Jorma Tommila

Born January 1, 1959 in Panelia, Finland26 films

Jorma Tommila (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈjo̞rmɑ ˈtomːilɑ]; born 1959) is a Finnish actor. Winner of the Jussi Award for Best Actor in 1997, Tommila is best known for playing Aatami Korpi in the film Sisu (2022).

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Tommila was born in Rauma, Finland and spent his youth in Kiukainen. His father died when Jorma was four years old, after suffering from injuries to his lungs in World War II. Tommila was raised by his mother, and his older sister Kielo Tommila is also an actress. He lives with his family in Vaasa. He is married to actress Ida Helander-Tommila, the sister of director Jalmari Helander. He is the father of Onni Tommila, who is also an actor.

Whilst at Helsinki Theatre Academy in 1987, Tommila was one of four founding members of God's Theater, a Finnish theater group that made experimental and radical stage art, their performances including full frontal nudity, the setting off of fire extinguishers, and the performers throwing faeces into the crowd. The four were arrested and fined, and given suspended prison sentences. They were also expelled from the college, the expulsion prompting protests from fellow students.

In 1997, Tommila won the Jussi Award for Best Actor for his role in the film The Christmas Party, directed by his God Theatre's fellow founder Jari Halonen.

Tommila's character in the film Sisu, filmed in Lapland with a budget of €6 million, has been compared with Rambo (played by Sylvester Stallone) in the 1982 film, and with John Wick (played by Keanu Reeves). He has also been described as a “new action cinema icon”. Tommila portrays Aatami Korpi, an ex-commando and gold prospector who strikes gold but has his bounty stolen by Nazi soldiers. Korpi, with courage and "unimaginable determination in the face of overwhelming odds", becomes "a one-man death squad who will go to outrageous lengths to get his gold back – even if it means killing every last Nazi in his path." For the role Tommila won the award for best actor at the Sitges Film Festival in 2022.

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The best way into Jorma Tommila's work
Sisu posterFirst watchSisu20227.4as AatamiWhen an ex-soldier who discovers gold in the Lapland wilderness tries to take the loot into the city, German soldiers led by a brutal SS officer battle him.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

26 films as actor
  1. 2025Sisu: Road to RevengeAatami Korpi
  2. 2022SisuAatami
  3. 2022On Thin IcePomo
  4. 2019Man and a JuniorTarhasetä
  5. 2015The LegacyIsä
  6. 2014Big GameTapio
  7. 2010Rare Exports: A Christmas TaleRauno
  8. 2010Priest of EvilMatias Krankke
  9. 2008The VisitorThe Father
  10. 2008Sisters ApartHarri
  11. 2007High Hopes
  12. 2007The Year of the WolfJarkko Salminen
  13. 2006The FakirGuardian Angel
  14. 2005The Official Rare Exports Inc. Safety Instructions 2005Sniper
  15. 2004Vares: Private EyeAntero Kraft
  16. 2003Rare Exports Inc.Sniper
  17. 2003RaidLegionary
  18. 2001Rollo and the Spirit of the WoodsRöllien kylänvanhin
  19. 2001UkkonenAkseli Ukkonen
  20. 2000Bad Luck LoveAli
  21. 1999Iceman
  22. 1999Maxmillian TarzanTarzanin ääni (voice)
  23. 1996JoulubileetBona Merenkylä
  24. 1995Lipton Cockton in the Shadows of SodomaLipton Cockton
  25. 1992Back to the USSRReima Elo
  26. 1985HamletMarcellus