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 r...