Meeli Sööt

Meeli Sööt (13 September 1937 – 16 March 2024) was an Estonian stage, television, radio and film actress.

Early life and education Meeli Sööt was born Meeli Alev in Tallinn to actor Voldemar Alev and Alvine Alev (née Väravas). In 1956, she graduated from Tallinn 7th Secondary School (now, Tallinn English College). From 1956 until 1957, she studied at the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute (now, Tallinn University), and graduated in 1961 from the Tallinn State Conservatory, Performing Arts Department (now, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre) in Tallinn under the course supervision of theatre pedagogue Voldemar Panso. Among her classmates were noted future actors Tõnu Aav, Mikk Mikiver, Maila Rästas, Aarne Üksküla, Madis Ojamaa, Jaan Saul, Ines Aru, and Mati Klooren.

Stage career Following graduation in 1961, she became engaged at the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn. She would remain an actress at the theatre until 2000. She made her stage debut in 1961 in a production of Pedro Calderón de la Barca's 1636 play The Phantom Lady while still a student.

During her nearly forty year engagement at the Estonian Drama Theater she performed in numerous stage productions as an actress. Among her more memorable roles in works by international authors and playwrights include: Molière, Ibsen, von Goethe, Chekhov, Strindberg, Vonnegut, Leo Tolstoy, Peter Shaffer, Jean Genet, Johannes Linnankoski, William Gibson, Alexander Vampilov, Elias Lönnrot and John Boynton Priestley, among others. Memorable roles in works by Estonian authors and playwrights include those of: Eduard Vilde, A. H. Tammsaare, Juhan Sütiste, Jaan Kross, Aino Undla-Põldmäe, Jaan Kruusvall and Mats Traat.

In 1983, she appeared in the feature-length television sports film Küljetuul, directed by Raul Tammet. She also frequently appeared on the popular Estonian Kanal 2 television crime series Kelgukoerad between 2008 and 2011.

Personal life and death In 1961 Meeli Alev married conductor and pedagogue Ants Sööt. The couple divorced in 1978.

Acknowledgements In 1976, Meeli Sööt was awarded the Merited Artist of the Estonian SSR.