Helene Vannari (20 March 1948 – 16 March 2022) was an Estonian stage, radio, television and film actress.

Early life and education

Vannari was born in the town of

Kilingi-Nõmme Kilingi-Nõmme is a town in Pärnu County, southwestern Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Saarde Parish. It's located on the intersection of Valga– Uulu (Valga–Pärnu, nr 6) and Tartu–Viljandi–Kilingi-Nõmme (nr 92) roads, abou ...

in Pärnu County. Her father was a forestry teacher and her mother was an archivist.gulliver.kand.pri.ee
''Helene Vannari 65 (sünnipäev 20. märtsil)'' Retrieved 2 January 2017. She is one of two siblings, both girls. When Vannari was three-years-old, her family moved to

Tartu Tartu is the second largest city in Estonia after the Northern European country's political and financial capital, Tallinn. Tartu has a population of 91,407 (as of 2021). It is southeast of Tallinn and 245 kilometres (152 miles) northeast of ...

, where she attended schools, including studying at the

Vanemuine Vanemuine () is a theatre in Tartu, Estonia. It was the first Estonian language theatre. History ''1870–1906 The Beginning of the Beginning. Koidula’s Theatre, Wiera’s Theatre.'' On June 24, 1870 was the first day in Estonian theatre ...

drama studio, graduating in 1966. At age seven, her father died and she was raised by her mother. In 1970, she graduated from the Tallinn State Conservatory, Performing Arts Department (now, the

Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (''Eesti Muusika- ja Teatriakadeemia'') began as a mixed choir of the Estonia Society Musical Department (EMD) on the eve of World War I. The assembly of the Estonia Society created the Tallinn Higher Musi ...

).Pärnu Postimees
''Helene Vannarile on tähtsad tütar ja teater'' 13 May 2011. Retrieved 2 January 2017. During her studies at the Tallinn State Conservatory, she met and befriended classmate

Ene Järvis Ene Järvis (born 26 October 1947) is an Estonian stage, film, radio, and television actress. Early life and education Ene Järvis was born in Kiidjärve, Põlva County to parents Paul and Amanda Elfriede Järvis. She was the second to youngest ...

. The two would become lifelong friends.

Stage career

After graduation, Vannari, referred to as "Leeni" by colleagues and friends, joined the Ugala theatre in

Viljandi Viljandi (, german: Fellin, sv, Fellin) is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 17,407 in 2019. It is the capital of Viljandi County and is geographically located between two major Estonian cities, Pärnu and Tartu. ...

in 1970. She would remain an actress at the theatre until 1974. Some of her most memorable stage roles at the Ugala were as Petrella Lucia in

Eduardo De Filippo Eduardo De Filippo (; 24 May 1900 – 31 October 1984), also known simply as ''Eduardo'', was an Italian actor, director, screenwriter and playwright, best known for his Neapolitan works ''Filumena Marturano'' and '' Napoli Milionaria''. Consid ...

's ''The Art of Comedy'' (1970), Miina in

August Kitzberg August Kitzberg ( in Laatre Parish, Governorate of Livonia, Russian Empire – 10 October 1927 in Tartu) was an Estonian writer. Life Until 1863, August Kitzberg was known as August Kits. He grew up in Niitsaadu farmstead in Penuja village, Ab ...

's ''Püve Peter's Tricks'' (1971), Valentina in

Mikhail Roshchin Mikhail Mikhailovich Roshchin (russian: Михаи́л Миха́йлович Ро́щин; 10 February 1933 – 1 October 2010) was a Russian playwright, screenwriter and short story writer. Biography He was born to Mikhail Gibelman (born 19 ...

's ''Valentin and Valentina'' (1971), and as

Tom Canty Thomas "Tom" Canty is a fictitious character from Mark Twain's 1881 novel ''The Prince and the Pauper.'' He was born the same day as Edward Tudor, the Prince of Wales in 1537 and grew up in a life of poverty with his abusive, alcoholic father and ...

Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has p ...

's ''

The Prince and the Pauper ''The Prince and the Pauper'' is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in the United States. The novel represents Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. Set in 1547 ...

'' (1972).Tallinna Linnateater.
Retrieved 2 January 2017. In 1976, she joined the

Tallinn City Theatre Tallinn City Theatre ( et, Tallinna Linnateater) is a repertory theatre located in the medieval old town of Tallinn, Estonia. Tallinn City Theatre was established in 1965 as Estonian SSR State Youth Theatre. In 1992, after the reindependence of ...

where she was still engaged until her death. During her many years at the theatre, she has performed in memorable roles in works by international authors and playwrights such as:

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

Molière Jean-Baptiste Poquelin (, ; 15 January 1622 (baptised) – 17 February 1673), known by his stage name Molière (, , ), was a French playwright, actor, and poet, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language and world ...

Guilherme Figueiredo Guilherme Figueiredo (1915–1997) was a Brazilian dramatist. He is best known for his play ''The Fox and the Grapes'' (A raposa e as uvas) in 1953 about Aesop Aesop ( or ; , ; c. 620–564 BCE) was a Greek fabulist and storyteller c ...

Eugene O'Neill Eugene Gladstone O'Neill (October 16, 1888 – November 27, 1953) was an American playwright and Nobel laureate in literature. His poetically titled plays were among the first to introduce into the U.S. the drama techniques of realism, earlier ...

Federico García Lorca Federico del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús García Lorca (5 June 1898 – 19 August 1936), known as Federico García Lorca ( ), was a Spanish poet, playwright, and theatre director. García Lorca achieved international recognition as an emblemat ...

Jean Genet Jean Genet (; – ) was a French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist. In his early life he was a vagabond and petty criminal, but he later became a writer and playwright. His major works include the novels ''The Thief's ...

, Sławomir Mrożek,

Rainer Werner Fassbinder Rainer Werner Fassbinder (; 31 May 1945 – 10 June 1982), sometimes credited as R. W. Fassbinder, was a German filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the major figures and catalysts of the New German Cinema movement. Fassbinder's main ...

Dario Fo Dario Luigi Angelo Fo (; 24 March 1926 – 13 October 2016) was an Italian playwright, actor, theatre director, stage designer, songwriter, political campaigner for the Italian left wing and the recipient of the 1997 Nobel Prize in Literature. ...

Eduard Uspensky Eduard Nikolayevich Uspensky (russian: link=no, Эдуард Николаевич Успенский; 22 December 193714 August 2018) was a Soviet and Russian children's writer and poet, author of over 70 books, as well as a playwright, screenwri ...

Arthur Conan Doyle Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a British writer and physician. He created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 for ''A Study in Scarlet'', the first of four novels and fifty-six short stories about Ho ...

Martin McDonagh Martin Faranan McDonagh (; born 26 March 1970) is a British-Irish playwright, screenwriter, producer, and director. Born and brought up in London, he is the son of Irish parents. He is known as one of the most acclaimed modern playwrights whose ...

Alexandre Dumas Alexandre Dumas (, ; ; born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie (), 24 July 1802 – 5 December 1870), also known as Alexandre Dumas père (where '' '' is French for 'father', to distinguish him from his son Alexandre Dumas fils), was a French writer ...

Thomas Mann Paul Thomas Mann ( , ; ; 6 June 1875 – 12 August 1955) was a German novelist, short story writer, social critic, philanthropist, essayist, and the 1929 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate. His highly symbolic and ironic epic novels and novella ...

and

Evelyn Waugh Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh (; 28 October 1903 – 10 April 1966) was an English writer of novels, biographies, and travel books; he was also a prolific journalist and book reviewer. His most famous works include the early satires ''Decli ...

, among others. Memorable roles in works by Estonian authors and playwrights include those of: Rein Saluri, Paul Kuusberg,

Hugo Raudsepp Hugo Raudsepp (10 July 1883 – 15 September 1952) was an influential and prolific Estonian playwright and politician. Cody, Sprinchorn 2007, p. 428. In 1951 he was deported to the Irkutsk region by the Soviet authorities, where he died. Raun 2001 ...

, A. H. Tammsaare, and

Jaan Tätte Jaan Tätte (born 24 March 1964 in Viljandi Viljandi (, german: Fellin, sv, Fellin) is a town and municipality in southern Estonia with a population of 17,407 in 2019. It is the capital of Viljandi County and is geographically located betw ...

, among others. Throughout her career onstage, she has appeared in many other theatres in Estonia, including: the

Estonian Drama Theatre The Estonian Drama Theatre ( et, Eesti Draamateater) is a theatre in Tallinn, Estonia. It has the role of a national theatre for Estonia. The Estonia Theatre is located next door. History The building that houses the Estonian Drama Theatre was or ...

, the

Vanalinnastuudio Vanalinnastuudio (literally 'Old Town Studio') was a theatre in Tallinn, Estonia. The theatre was established in 1980. At the beginning, it operated at Estonian State Philharmony (nowadays Eesti Kontsert). The founder and artistical leader was Ein ...

(Old Town Studio theatre), the Rändteater (Travelling Theatre), the Pärimusteater (Heritage Theatre), and the Vana Baskini Teater (Old inoBaskin's Theatre).

Television career

Vannari's first substantial television role was as Tiiger Urr in the 1981 television family film ''Onu Tik-Taki seiklused'', directed by Virve Koppel. This was followed by the role of Ivo's mother in the 1994 Finnish-Estonian comedy television film ''Amerikan unelma'', directed by Kalle Pursiainen for

Yleisradio Yleisradio Oy (Finnish, literally "General Radio Ltd." or "General Broadcast Ltd."; abbr. Yle ; sv, Rundradion Ab, italics=no), translated to English as the Finnish Broadcasting Company, is Finland's national public broadcasting company, founde ...

(YLE). In 1995, she appeared as Maria in the

ETV ETV may stand for: Television * e.tv, a South African terrestrial television channel * Educational Television (Hong Kong), a television series * Educational television, the use of television in education * Enhanced TV, an interactive television ap ...

historical drama miniseries '' Wikmani poised'', based on the 1988 novel of the same name by Estonian author

Jaan Kross Jaan Kross (19 February 1920 – 27 December 2007) was an Estonian writer. He won the 1995 International Nonino Prize in Italy. Early life Born in Tallinn, Estonia, son of a skilled metal-worker, Jaan Kross studied at Jakob Westholm Gymnasium ...

. In 2006, she appeared on the ETV crime-drama series ''

Ohtlik lend ''Ohtlik lend'' (English: ''Dangerous Flight'') is an Estonian television crime series. In the series, detective Andres (Marko Matvere) and his colleague Rita ( Elisabet Reinsalu) solve crime cases. In the first series, the activities take place i ...

'', and in 2011 appeared as Aino Lillepuu in an episode of the Finnish

MTV3 MTV3 ( fi, MTV Kolme, sv, MTV Tre) is a Finnish commercial television station. It had the biggest audience share of all Finnish TV channels until Yle TV1 (from Yle) took the lead. The letters MTV stand for Mainos-TV (literally "Advertisemen ...

crime-drama thriller ''Tappajan näköinen mies''. From 2010, she had a recurring role as Aino Kessner in the historical comedy series ''ENSV: Eesti Nõukogude Sotsialistlik Vabariik'', which reflects on life during the early 1980s in the

Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic The Estonian SSR,, russian: Эстонская ССР officially the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic,, russian: Эстонская Советская Социалистическая Республика was an ethnically based adminis ...

.delfi.ee
''Helene Vannari oma rollidest: ma ei ole kangelanna, ma ei kanna seda laval välja'' 22 October 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017. Other appearances in television series include; ''Tupiktänava mehed'' (2012–2013), ''Saare Sosinad'' (2012–2013); '' Kelgukoerad'' (several roles between 2007 and 2012); ''Mägede Varjud'' (2013–2014); ''Üheotsapilet'' (2015); and as Asta Vilumäe in two episodes of the popular TV3 comedy-crime series ''

Kättemaksukontor ''Kättemaksukontor'' (English: ''Revenge Office'') is an Estonian comedy-crime television series. In the series, a group of women have the organization called "Kättemaksukontor". This organization helps to solve murder cases for the police. The ...

'' (2015).

Film

Vannari made her feature film debut in 1990 in a small role in the Arvo Kruusement directed ''Sügis'' for

Tallinnfilm Tallinnfilm is the oldest surviving film studio in Estonia. It was founded as Estonian Culture Film in 1931, and was nationalized in 1940 after Estonia was forced into the Soviet Union. During the first year of Soviet Occupation (1940–1941) ...

. The film was based on the 1938

Oskar Luts Oskar Luts ( – 23 March 1953) was an Estonian writer and playwright. Biography Oskar Luts was born into a middle-class family in Järvepera, central Estonia, at that time in the governorate of Livonia (Russian Empire). His younger brother was ...

novel of the same name and the final part of a trilogy of both the novels and films made based on them. This was followed by another small role in the Aimée Beekman and

Vladimir Beekman Vladimir Beekman (23 August 1929 – 3 October 2009) was an Estonian writer, poet and translator. Early life and education After completing his primary education, he attended the Tallinn University of Technology and graduated in 1953 with a degre ...

penned,

Kaljo Kiisk Kaljo Kiisk (3 December 1925 – 20 September 2007) was a Soviet and Estonian actor, film director, screenwriter and politician. He was best known for his roles as Kristjan Lible from ''Spring'' ( et, Kevade), ''Summer'' (''Suvi'') and ''Autu ...

directed drama ''Regina'', also released in 1990 by Tallinnfilm. In 1991, she played the role of Selma in the

Roman Baskin Roman Baskin (25 December 1954 – 13 September 2018) was an Estonian actor and director of stage and screen. His parents were Eino Baskin and Ita Ever. Baskin's credits as an actor included '' Lotte from Gadgetville'' (2006), '' 186 Kilometres'' ...

directed drama ''

Rahu tänav ''Rahu tänav'' ( en, Peace Street) is a 1991 Estonian film directed by Roman Baskin. Awards: * 1992: FilmFestival Cottbus (Germany), 1992, main prize - best film * 1992: European Film Awards, nomination: European Supporting Actor of the Year 19 ...

'', and in 1992 she played the role of Juula in the

Lembit Ulfsak Lembit Ulfsak (4 July 1947 – 22 March 2017) was a prominent Estonian stage and film actor. Ulfsak starred in the 2014 film ''Tangerines'' which was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 87th Academy Awards. It was also among the ...

directed comedy family film ''Lammas all paremas nurgas''.Õhtuleht
''Helene Vannari: «Ma ei taha olla Kleopatra, tahan lihtsalt tööd teha!»'' 23 August 2003. Retrieved 2 January 2017 In 1997, Vannari played

Russian Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including: *Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...

Bolshevik The Bolsheviks (russian: Большевики́, from большинство́ ''bol'shinstvó'', 'majority'),; derived from ''bol'shinstvó'' (большинство́), "majority", literally meaning "one of the majority". also known in English ...

revolutionary, politician, and the wife of

Vladimir Lenin Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov. ( 1870 – 21 January 1924), better known as Vladimir Lenin,. was a Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He served as the first and founding head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 19 ...

, Nadezhda Krupskaya in the

Hardi Volmer Hardi Volmer (born 8 November 1957 in Pärnu) is an Estonian film director, puppet theatre set decorator and musician. Volmer is the singer in the Estonian punk rock band Singer Vinger. Animated cartoons *"Imeline nääriöö" (Wonderful Ne ...

directed Estonian historic comedy '' Minu Leninid'', starring

Üllar Saaremäe Üllar Saaremäe (born November 23, 1969) is an Estonian actor, director, politician, and punk band singer. Biography Üllar Saaremäe was born 23 November 1969 in Kohta-Järve. He has two children from his relationship with actress Tiina Mälb ...

. In 2002, she appeared in a small role in the

Elmo Nüganen Elmo Nüganen (born on date 15 February 1962 in Jõhvi) is an Estonian theatre director, film director, and actor. He has been the artistic Director of the Tallinn City Theatre since 1992. He was a graduate of the Estonian Academy of Music an ...

historical drama ''

Nimed marmortahvlil ''Names in Marble'' ( et, Nimed marmortahvlil) is an Estonian war novel written by Albert Kivikas. It was published in 1936, and its subject is the Estonian War of Independence. Kivikas received an award by the Estonian Literature Society for the ...

'', based on the 1936 novel of the same name by author

Albert Kivikas Albert Kivikas ( in Groß-St. Johannis, Livonia, Russian Empire – 19 May 1978 in Lund) was an Estonian writer and journalist. He is best known as the author of the book '' Names in Marble'' ( et, "Nimed marmortahvlil"), the subject of which i ...

, that follows young Estonian men fighting in the 1918-1920

Estonian War of Independence The Estonian War of Independence ( et, Vabadussõda, literally "Freedom War"), also known as the Estonian Liberation War, was a defensive campaign of the Estonian Army and its allies, most notably the United Kingdom, against the Bolshevik westwa ...

. In 2006, she appeared as Leida in the television comedy film '' Meeletu'', directed by Elmo Nüganen and produced by

Taska Film Taska Film sometimes credited as Taska Productions (owned by Kristian Taska) is an Estonian film production company responsible for producing the number 1 Estonian box office hit during the last decade: '' Names in Marble''. ''Candles in the Dar ...

and

. In 2007, Vannari appeared in the Peeter Simm directed film '' Georg''; a biographical drama chronicling the life of Estonian singer

Georg Ots Georg Ots (21 March 1920 – 5 September 1975) was an Estonian singer, actor and People's Artist of the USSR (1960). Biography Before studying singing with the Estonian baritone Aleksander Rahnel in Yaroslavl in the rear of the Eastern Fron ...

. In 2006, Vannari had appeared in a television film musical with the same title, also focusing on the life of Ots. In 2012, she played the role of Mai in the

Ilmar Raag Ilmar Raag (born 21 May 1968 in Kuressaare) is an Estonian media executive, actor, screenwriter and film director, best known for his socio-critical film '' The Class''. He has served as CEO of Estonian Television from 2002 to 2005. He is a we ...

directed drama ''Une Estonienne à Paris''. The film follows an Estonian woman named Anne (played by

Laine Mägi Laine Mägi (born Laine Michelson-Adamson; 3 February 1959) is an Estonian stage, film and television actress, dancer and choreographer and dance pedagogue who began her career as a teenager. She is the founder of the Laine Mägi School of Dance ...

) who leaves Estonia to travel to Paris and care for an elderly Estonian woman named Frida (played by French actress Jeanne Moreau) who emigrated to France long ago. The following year she appeared as Helga in the romantic drama '' Kertu'', again directed by Ilma Raag, and starring

Ursula Ratasepp Ursula Ratasepp (born 17 June 1982) is an Estonian stage, film and television actress. Early life and education Ursula Ratasepp was born in Tallinn in 1982. She is the older sister of actress Katariina Ratasepp (born 1986). She studied drama at ...

and Mait Malmsten. In 2020, she voiced the character of Grandmother in the Meelis Arulepp and Karsten Kiilerich directed animated feature film '' Sipsik'', based on the popular 1962 children's book of the same title by

Eno Raud Eno Raud (15 February 1928 – 10 July 1996) was an Estonian children's writer. His works are considered classics in Estonia as well as in the other former Soviet countries. Raud was included in International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY ...

Personal life

Vannari married actor Peep Pillak in 1969, at age 21. They have one daughter, singer Annaliisa Pillak. The couple divorced in 1999.Õhtuleht
''Helene Vannari abieludraamas'' 22 October 1999. Retrieved 2 January 2017. She died in

Tallinn Tallinn () is the most populous and capital city of Estonia. Situated on a bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, Tallinn has a population of 437,811 (as of 2022) and administratively lies in the Harju ' ...

on 16 March 2022, at the age of 73.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Vannari, Helene 1948 births 2022 deaths 20th-century Estonian actresses 21st-century Estonian actresses