Kari Väänänen
Biography
Kari Väänänen is a Finnish actor and director born on 17 September 1953 in Ivalo. He is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. Väänänen has been introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki, and has appeared in several of his films. He has also worked with Jim Jarmusch, starring in the 1991 film Night on Earth. Väänänen's acting credits include a role in the Finnish sci-fi parody Star Wreck, where he played the Russian president. He is known for learning his lines phonetically for a role in the film Rosso, without previously speaking the language.
Career overview
Kari Väänänen is a Finnish actor and director. He is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. Väänänen has been introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki, who belongs to his "trusted" stable of actors.
Väänänen has appeared in various films, including a Finnish sci-fi parody where he played the Russian president. He also starred in Jim Jarmusch's 1991 film Night on Earth. In addition, Väänänen has been featured in several other films, such as Mraky odtáhly, Taivaan tulet, and Noc na Zemi.
Väänänen's acting career has spanned multiple roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor. His experience working with Aki Kaurismäki has contributed to his international recognition. Väänänen's ability to adapt to different roles and directors has been demonstrated through his extensive filmography.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
96 titles- The Missile (2024) as Uutis-Seppo
- The Man Who Died (2022) as Lääkäri Järvinen
- The Grump: In Search of an Escort (2022) as Tarmo
- Master Cheng (2019) as Romppainen
- Fingerpori (2019) as Homelius
- Ryhmäteatteri (2018)
- Kajaani (2017) as Arvo
- Lapland Odyssey 3 (2017) as Räihäsen isä
- Kiwi Christmas (2017) as Santa
- We Are the Pirates of the Roads (2015) as Hurja-Kaarlo
- Dirty Hands (2015) as Ivan
- Arne's Legacy (2013)
- The Rise and Fall of a Friendship (2012) as Jalo Rautakumpu
- Bohemian Eyes (2011) as Self
- Let My People Go ! (2011) as Mr. Tiilikainen
- The House of Branching Love (2009) as Niilo
- Backwood Philosopher (2009) as Severi
- Backwood Philosopher (2009) Director
- Backwood Philosopher (2009) Screenplay
- One Foot Under (2009) as Salmela
- Suojelijat (2008) as Isä
- Taivaan tulet (2007) as Kauko Junni
- Taivaan tulet (2007) Director
- Taivaan tulet (2007) Writer
- Taivaan tulet (2007) Creator
- Christmas Story (2007) as Iisakki
- V2: Dead Angel (2007) as Police Lieutenant Usko Saastamoinen
- Lehmän vuosi (2006) as Kana-Jorma
- Onni von Sopanen (2006) as P.E. teacher
- Rock'n Roll Never Dies (2006) as Laakkonen
- Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning (2005) as President Uljanov
- Trench Road (2004) as Jarmo Kesämaa
- Honey Baby (2004) as der Große Enrico
- Land of Love (2003) as Hannu Rinta-Perkiö
- Jurismia! (2002) as Opettaja Lauri Peltonen
- Kymmenen riivinrautaa (2002) as Heikki Korkkalainen
- Seitsemän (2001) as Antti Mäkinen
- The Classic (2001) Director
- The Classic (2001) Screenplay
- Sincerely Yours in Cold Blood (2000) as Kalevi Repo
- Bad Luck Love (2000) as Heinonen
- Highway Society (2000)
- Lakeuden kutsu (2000) as Erkki Hakala
- Kaverille ei jätetä (1999) as Tilanhoitaja Anselmi
- Kaverille ei jätetä (1999) as Kapteeni Kalkku
- Kaverille ei jätetä (1999) as Per Berner
- Kaverille ei jätetä (1999) as Vode
- The Tough Ones (1999) as Törnqvist
- Ambush (1999) as Corporal Tauno Snicker
- Spy Games (1999) as Cabbie
- Team Ahma (1998) as Harjanne
- Lääkärit tulessa (1998) as Mark Messien
- Train Birds (1998) as Asko, Milchfahrer
- Vaiennut kylä (1997) Director
- Vaiennut kylä (1997) Writer
- Underwater Iceland (1997) as Narrator
- Drifting Clouds (1996) as Lauri
- Sambolico (1996) as Eric
- Iron Horsemen (1995) as Darling
- Kohtaamiset ja erot (1994) as Mafiapomo
- Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994) as The Mute
- Sutki (1993) Director
- The Hobbits (1993) as Aragorn
- Ripa Hits the Skids (1993) as Lynkkynen
- The Last Border (1993) as Borka
- Goodbye Gibraltar (1993) as Jorma
- Mestari (1992) as Eero Tyrni
- La Vie de Bohème (1992) as Schaunard
- Night on Earth (1991) as Man #1 Helsinki
- Zombie and the Ghost Train (1991) as Upseeri (voice)
- Amazon (1990) as Kari
- Dolly and Her Lover (1990) as Detective Karisto
- Paper Star (1989) as Ilja Kulovaara
- Kukunor (1989) as Ihmissyöjä
- Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989) as Igor (Village Idiot)
- Cha Cha Cha (1989) as Kari Pöllänen
- Siriuksen vieraat (1987) as Anders
- Älä itke Iines (1987)
- Hamlet Goes Business (1987) as Lauri Polonius
- Helsinki Napoli All Night Long (1987) as Alex
- Laulu (1986)
- Näkemiin, hyvästi (1986)
- Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan (1986) as Narrator
- Harmagedon (1986)
- Calamari Union (1985) as Frank
- The Unknown Soldier (1985) as Lammio
- Rosso (1985) as Rosso
- Rosso (1985) Writer
- Viimeiset rotannahat (1985)
- Ylösnousemus (1985) as Touko Heinävesi
- The Clan: Tale of the Frogs (1984) as Leevi Sammakko
- Jon (1983) as Jon
- Apinan vuosi (1983) as Rene
- Kuoleman hellä kosketus (1982) as Hullu
- The Breakthrough (1981) as Police officer (uncredited)
- Pedon merkki (1981) as Nuori kapteeni
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Kari Väänänen best known for?
Kari Väänänen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Night on Earth (1991), Calamari Union (1985), Jon (1983).
When and where was Kari Väänänen born?
Kari Väänänen was born on September 17, 1953 in Ivalo, Finland.
How many credits does Kari Väänänen have?
Kari Väänänen has accumulated over 96 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1981 to 2024.
What is Kari Väänänen's background in cinema and television?
Kari Väänänen is a Finnish actor and director born on 17 September 1953 in Ivalo. He is a member of the Ryhmäteatteri group of actors. Väänänen has been introduced to international audiences by Aki Kaurismäki, and has appeared in several of his films. He has also worked with Jim Jarmusch, starring in the 1991 film Nigh...