Vesa-Matti Loiri

Well-known in Finland as a comedian, actor, and Emma-nominated musician, Vesa-Matti "Vesku" Loiri was born in Helsinki in 1945. His first major film appearance was in the 1969 comedy Pohjan Tähteet, which he co-wrote with Ere Kokkonen. His notable roles included Uuno Turhapuro ("Numbskull Emptybrook"), a character developed by Spede Pasanen, and the voice of the Genie in the Finnish dub of Disney's Aladdin. A singer/songwriter and flutist, Loiri was known for his Jacques Brel-like interpretations of the poetry of Hermann Hesse and Eino Leino. A talented iskelmä performer, he represented Finland in the 1980 Eurovision contest with the song "Huilumies." His 2006 album Ivalo reached number one in Finland and was nominated for multiple Emma Awards; several other chart-topping albums followed. Loiri released the Top Five Finnish hit Pyhät tekstit in 2016 and appeared in the 2020 romantic comedy A Spice for Life before his death in 2022. ~ TiVo Staff, Rovi