Kaljo Kiisk (3 December 1925 – 20 September 2007) was an Estonian actor, film director, screenwriter and politician. He was best known for his roles as from Spring (), Summer (Suvi) and Autumn (Sügis), film adaptations of Oskar Luts' novels, and as Johannes Saarepera from ETV's long-running Õnne 13. His career spanned over half a century from 1953 to 2007.
Early life Kiisk was born and raised in Vaivina. In 1944, aged 18, he served in the anti-aircraft unit of the 20th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS (1st Estonian), and took part in the Battle of Tannenberg Line. After World War II, he managed to obscure his military service from the Soviet occupiers. In 1946, he graduated from the Rakvere 1st Secondary School and enrolled at the Tallinn University of Technology. He switched the next year to the ESSR State Theatre Institute and in 1948, to the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts. Graduating in 1953, he returned to Estonia and joined the Estonian Drama Theatre.
Career
Stage, film and television His first play was an adaptation of Oskar Luts' novel Spring (), staged together with Kulno Süvalep in 1954, in which Kiisk played the part of the bright yet restless Joosep Toots. From 1955 to 1990, he worked as an actor and director at Tallinnfilm. His most notable works as a director included Naughty Curves (1959) and Dangerous Curves (1961), Madness (1969) and Nipernaadi (1983) He wrote the screenplay of the 1969 film Spring, an adaptation of Oskar Luts' popular novel, in which he also starred as Paunvere's bell-ringer . The film became an Estonian classic. From 1993 to 2007 (his death), he starred in Õnne 13 as Johannes Saarepera.
Politics From 1980 to 1990, Kiisk was a member of the Supreme Soviet of the Estonian SSR and from 1989 to 1991, a member of the Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union. In 1995 and 1999, he was elected to the Riigikogu as a member of the Estonian Reform Party.
Personal life Kiisk married his classmate Zinaida Ivanova in 1947. They had a daughter, Riina, who married actor and poet Juhan Viiding. Poet Elo Viiding is his granddaughter.
Filmography
Film Title Year Functioned as Notes Director Writer Actor RoleYachts at Sea (Jahid merel) 1955 Heino Assistant directorAndrus' Happiness (Andruse õnn) 1955 TederThe Turning Point (Pöördel) 1957 Assistant directorJune Days (Juunikuu päevad) 1957 Naughty Curves (Vallatud kurvid) 1959 One village men (Ühe küla mehed) 1961 Raimond Dangerous Curves (Ohtlikud kurvid) 1961 Ice drift (Jääminek) 1962 Traces (Jäljed) 1963 We Were 18 Years Old (Me olime 18-aastased) 1965 What Happened to Andres Lapeteus? (Mis juhtus Andres Lapeteusega?)1966 Ants PajuviidikMidday Ferryboat (Keskpäevane praam)1967 Madness (Hullumeelsus)1968Harmonica manSpring (Kevade)1969 Old Toomas Has Been Stolen (Varastati Vana Toomas)1970Old ThomasMusical filmWindy Coast (Tuuline rand)1971To Step Ashore (Maaletulek)1972Harald Unusual story (Tavatu lugu)1973Detective Kaur Red violin (Punane viiul)1974Commander Indrek1975 Voitinski (Nāve zem buras) 1976Detective-Sergeant Aloysius BirrellSummer (Suvi) 1976Ask the Dead About the Price of Death (Surma hinda küsi surnutelt)1977DoctorWild violets (Metskannikesed)1980 (Arabella, mereröövli tütar)FirefighterAdaption of Aino Pervik's short story.Nipernaadi1983There Were the Trees... (Puud olid ...)1985Pakk-RätsepIn One Hundred Years in May (Saja aasta pärast mais)1986Viktor Kingissepp's interrogatorVernanda1988Old gentlemanRegina1989Upside Down (Наизнанку)1989TammShortAwakening (Äratus)1989JaanAutumn (Sügis)1990Rahu street (Rahu tänav)1991EugenPrompter (Suflöör)1993Victoria (Victoria (Ühe armastuse lugu))1994GuestJüri Rumm1994Old stablemanRoller coaster (Ameerika mäed)1994AlbertI'm tired of hating (Ma olen väsinud vihkamast)1995CarpenterLetters from the East (Kirjad idast)1995Old farmerLadybirds' Christmas (Lepatriinude jõulud)2001Imanuel (voice)Animated filmThe Visit of the Old Lady (Vana daami visiit)2006DoctorAdaption of The Visit.Hostage (Koer, lennuk ja laulupidu)2006Old man
Television Title Year Role NotesMy Wife Became a Grandmother (Minu naine sai vanaemaks)1976FriendMovieTwo Couples and Loneliness (Kaks paari ja üksindus)1984FarmerMovie adaption of O. Henry's short story.The Dance Around the Steam Boiler (Tants aurukatla ümber)1987Taavet AniluikMovie adaption of Mats Traat's novel.Doctor Stockmann (Doktor Stockmann)1988FatherMovieAn Old Man is Missing His Home (Vana mees tahab koju)1991Toomas SimmoMovieÕnne 131993–2007Johannes Saarepera14 seasons
Honours Order of the White Star, 3rd Class PÖFF Lifetime Achievement Award
References
External links
Kaljo Kiisk at the Estonian Film Database