Urho Somersalmi

Urho Armas Somersalmi (formerly Urho Sundell; 23 September 1888, Helsinki – 12 April 1962) was a Finnish actor.

Career

Somersalmi worked in the Finnish National Theatre from 1908 to 1958. He was often cast in the 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.

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.

Personal life

Somersalmi married actress Aili Somersalmi in 1912. In April 1962, he killed her with an axe he had received as a gift from Finnish Actors' Union and stabbed her in the chest, after which he hanged himself.

Filmography Year Title Role Notes1913 Sylvi 1921 Johan Stranger 1927 His English Wife Birger Holm, landowner 1928 Tukkijoella Aaprami Turkka 1929 Työn sankarilaulu Juhani Rauta 1929 Juhla meren rannalla Jyrki 1930 Charlotte Löwensköld Schagerström 1931 Tukkipojan morsian Erkki 1936 Pohjalaisia Kyösti 1938 Jääkärin morsian Franck 1938 Karmankolon kuningas Rosengren 1940 Simo Hurtta 1942 Oi, aika vanha, kultainen...! Joonas Karhu 1942 Avioliittoyhtiö Professor Thorelius 1944 Vaivaisukon morsian Metsä-Olli 1947 Pimeänpirtin hävitys Aukusti 1957 Risti ja liekki Piispa 1959 Sampo Väinämöinen (final film role)