Most Eurovision fans know Vesa-Matti Loiri only for his last place in Eurovision 1980 with Huilumies. But in Finland this man in a legend. Actor, athlete, comedian and singer he has been conquering the audiences in movie theaters, TV, clubs and arenas already for 50 years. His acting career started in 1962's movie Pojat that gave him the Finnish Oscar, Jussi. Later he concentrated on sports playing football, winning Finnish championship in a handball team and did boxing in the national league as well. All this while doing the Theater school and working at YLE's radio theater. Soon after finishing the theater school he worked at the Helsinki city theater.
Here are his incredible career highlights in short:
His comedic skills were first displayed in 1966's TV hit Hanski.
His recording career started in 1966.
His first starring role in a movie came in 1969 and first solo album in 1971.
He played in national football league in 1972.
The year after the first Uuno Turhapuro comedy movie was made, his trademark character.
He wins his second Jussi award in 1976.
In 1978 first of his four multiplatinum albums based on Eino Leino's poems is released.
Came last in Eurovision 1980.
Third Jussi award in 1983.
Won a special Emma (Finnish Grammy) in 1986.
The year after he wins Telvis award for the most popular TV personality
following the 1984 and 1986 awards.
In 1999 he receive a special Telvis for his lifetime work in TV.
Got his second special Emma in 1989.
Did his first dubbing role in Disney's Aladdin.
Wins the male artist of the year Emma in 2003, 2006 and 2007.
The last and 19th Uuno Turhapuro movie is released in 2004.
A hit multiplatinum Lapland trilogy series albums are released in 2006-2008.
In 2010 a documentary movie is made of his life.
By 2011 he has done 69 movies. Six of his movies are in the top-20 of all time most popular Finnish movies. 31 solo albums so far.
He is currently the 5th most sold Finnish solo artist and 9th in overall.
In 2012 he stars along with Samuli Edelmann in #1 blockbuster movie and hit single.
He will be having three special 50th anniversary concerts:
September 28 - Hartwall Areena - Helsinki
October 5 - Nokia Kontserdimaja - Tallinn
October 12 - Lappi-Areena - Rovaniemi
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