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