Urho Somersalmi

Urho Somersalmi
Born 23 September 1888
Kemi, Finland
Died 12 April 1962 (aged 73)
Helsinki, Finland

Urho Somersalmi (formerly Sundell, 23 September 1888 – 12 April 1962) was a Finnish actor. He worked in the Finnish National Theatre from 1908 to 1958. Somersalmi was often seen in roles of masculine heroes or first-time lovers. His physical appearance was very suitable for such roles; and in the beginning of his career, he was often criticized for superficiality. Somersalmi was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal in 1948. He married actress Aili Somersalmi in 1912.[1]

Somersalmi was involved in the Finnish film industry from the beginning. In 1913, he had his first small film role in a Teuvo Puro film Sylvi, the first Finnish drama film. His final appearance was in the Finnish-Soviet co-production film Sampo (1959) in which he played the role of Väinämöinen.[2]

In April 1962, Somersalmi killed his wife with an axe he had received as a gift from Finnish Actors' Union. Then he hanged himself on the ceiling lamp hook.[3]

Selected filmography

References

  1. Koskimies, Rafael (1953). Suomen Kansallisteatteri 1902/1917. Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava.
  2. "ELONET – Urho Somersalmi". KAVA. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  3. Leppänen, Marko. "Nainen joka tuntee kummitukset – HS.fi". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 29 January 2013.

External links