About

Known credits:
83
Birthday:
1953-09-17
Place of birth:
Ivalo, Finland
Website:
N/A

Kari Väänänen

Overview

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.

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.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Known for

Acting
2024 The Missile Actor Uutis-Seppo 58
Average
2022 The Grump: In Search of an Escort Actor Tarmo 59
Average
2022 The Man Who Died Actor Lääkäri Järvinen 70
Good
2019 Fingerpori Actor Homelius 58
Average
2019 Master Cheng Actor Romppainen 60
Fair
2018 Ryhmäteatteri Actor N/A
N/A
2017 Kiwi Christmas Actor Santa 58
Average
2017 Lapland Odyssey 3 Actor Räihäsen isä 58
Average
2015 We Are the Pirates of the Roads Actor Hurja-Kaarlo 58
Average
2013 Arne's Legacy Actor N/A
N/A
2012 The Rise and Fall of a Friendship Actor Jalo Rautakumpu 58
Average
2011 Let My People Go! Actor Mr. Tiilikainen 58
Average
2011 Bohemian Eyes Actor Self 59
Average
2009 Backwood Philosopher Actor Severi 59
Average
2009 The House of Branching Love Actor Niilo 59
Average
2009 One Foot Under Actor Salmela 58
Average
2008 Suojelijat Actor Isä 69
Fair
2007 Christmas Story Actor Iisakki 61
Fair
2007 Taivaan tulet Actor Kauko Junni N/A
N/A
2007 V2: Dead Angel Actor Police Lieutenant Usko Saastamoinen 58
Average
2006 Rock'n Roll Never Dies Actor Laakkonen 59
Average
2006 Onni von Sopanen Actor P.E. teacher 59
Average
2005 Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning Actor President Uljanov 59
Average
2004 Trench Road Actor Jarmo Kesämaa 59
Average
2004 Honey Baby Actor der Große Enrico 59
Average
2003 Land of Love Actor Hannu Rinta-Perkiö 58
Average
2002 Kymmenen riivinrautaa Actor Heikki Korkkalainen 58
Average
2001 Seitsemän Actor Antti Mäkinen 70
Good
2000 Highway Society Actor 59
Average
2000 Bad Luck Love Actor Heinonen 59
Average
2000 Sincerely Yours in Cold Blood Actor Kalevi Repo 70
Good
2000 Lakeuden kutsu Actor Erkki Hakala 58
Average
1999 Spy Games Actor Cabbie 58
Average
1999 Ambush Actor Corporal Tauno Snicker 58
Average
1999 The Tough Ones Actor Törnqvist 59
Average
1998 Train Birds Actor Asko, Milchfahrer 59
Average
1997 Underwater Iceland Actor Narrator 59
Average
1996 Sambolico Actor Eric 58
Average
1996 Drifting Clouds Actor Lauri 63
Fair
1995 Iron Horsemen Actor Darling 59
Average
1994 Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses Actor The Mute 58
Average
1993 Goodbye Gibraltar Actor Jorma N/A
N/A
1993 The Last Border Actor Borka 58
Average
1993 The Hobbits Actor Aragorn 68
Fair
1993 Ripa Hits the Skids Actor Lynkkynen 58
Average
1992 Mestari Actor Eero Tyrni 58
Average
1992 La Vie de Bohème Actor Schaunard 62
Fair
1991 Night on Earth Actor Man #1 Helsinki 69
Fair
1991 Zombie and the Ghost Train Actor Upseeri (voice) 59
Average
1990 Amazon Actor Kari 58
Average
1990 Dolly and Her Lover Actor Detective Karisto 58
Average
1989 Dirty Hands Actor Ivan 58
Average
1989 Paper Star Actor Ilja Kulovaara 59
Average
1989 Kukunor Actor Ihmissyöjä N/A
N/A
1989 Leningrad Cowboys Go America Actor Igor (Village Idiot) 61
Fair
1989 Cha Cha Cha Actor Kari Pöllänen 59
Average
1987 Helsinki Napoli All Night Long Actor Alex 59
Average
1987 Hamlet Goes Business Actor Lauri Polonius 59
Average
1987 Siriuksen vieraat Actor Anders 58
Average
1987 Älä itke Iines Actor 59
Average
1986 Näkemiin, hyvästi Actor 59
Average
1986 Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan Actor Narrator 59
Average
1986 Harmagedon Actor 59
Average
1985 The Unknown Soldier Actor Lammio 59
Average
1985 Rosso Actor Rosso 59
Average
1985 Ylösnousemus Actor Touko Heinävesi 59
Average
1985 Calamari Union Actor Frank 60
Fair
1985 Viimeiset rotannahat Actor 59
Average
1984 The Clan: Tale of the Frogs Actor Leevi Sammakko 59
Average
1983 Apinan vuosi Actor Rene 59
Average
1983 Jon Actor Jon 59
Average
1982 Kuoleman hellä kosketus Actor Hullu 58
Average
1981 Pedon merkki Actor Nuori kapteeni 59
Average
1981 The Breakthrough Actor Police officer (uncredited) N/A
N/A

Directing
2009 Backwood Philosopher Directing Director 59
Average
2007 Taivaan tulet Directing Director N/A
N/A
2001 The Classic Directing Director 59
Average
1997 Vaiennut kylä Directing Director 58
Average
1993 Sutki Directing Director N/A
N/A

Writing
2009 Backwood Philosopher Writing Screenplay 59
Average
2007 Taivaan tulet Writing Writer N/A
N/A
2001 The Classic Writing Screenplay 59
Average
1985 Rosso Writing Writer 59
Average