Matti Pellonpää in Memoriam
Matti Pellonpää started his career in 1962
as an radio-theatre-actor in the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE).
In the 70's he started working in amateur theatres and in 1977
he graduated from the Finnish Theatre Academy.
Matti Pellonpää was a multi-talented person who worked naturally on stage, in films and even in various rock-bands.
From the beginning of 80's Pellonpää was a permanent figure in Mika and Aki Kaurismaki´s -movies.
He had a leading role in movies: "Shadows in Paradise", "Bohemian Life" and
"Take care of Your scarf, Tatjana".
In the film "Leningrad Cowboys go to America" he had a role as a clever manager.
1993 Matti Pellonpää got European recognition when he was awarded the Felix-prize from the European Film Academy as the
"Best European male actor of the year".
He acted with pleasure even without make-up and usually borrowed his own clothes to his characters.
In the 80's he was a very notable bohemian. He lived in restaurants and
his regular table was his home.
He was known to everyone in Finland, not having his own apartment and
sometimes not even own clothes.
Later he got himself own home and private life.
1996 Matti Pellonpää got his picture in a stamp, which was one part of a sheet published to celebrate centennial of cinema in Finland.
