Jan Uuspõld (born 14 December 1973) is an Estonian stage, television, radio and film actor and musician.

Early life and music career

Jan Uuspõld was born 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 ' ...

, the eldest of three sons of Ingar and Heidi Uuspõld. His mother is an accountant and his father was a long-distance truck driver. He was raised mostly in

Hiiu Hiiu is a subdistrict ( et, asum) in the district of Nõmme, Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It covers an area of and has a population of 3,986 (), population density is . Hiiu has a station on the Elron western route. The first narrow gauge ...

Nõmme Nõmme (Estonian for ''"Heath"'') is one of the 8 administrative districts ( et, linnaosa) of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. It has a population of 39,422 () and covers an area of , population density is . The district is largely a middle-clas ...

and attended schools in

Keila Keila (german: Kegel) is a town and an urban municipality in Harju County in north-western Estonia, 25 km southwest of Tallinn. Keila is also the location of administrative buildings of the surrounding Keila Parish, a rural municipality se ...

and Tallinn. In middle school was enrolled in music class and sang in a school choir. He graduated from Tallinn's 1st Industrial High School in 1991 where he trained as an offset printer. Luxury Filters

As a teenager, he wished to become a musician. Influenced in part by the Estonian punk rock band

J.M.K.E. J.M.K.E. is an Estonian punk rock band, which formed in Tallinn on January 18, 1986. Biography The original singer, Mati, left the band soon afterwards, leaving Venno on drums, Tarvo Hanno Varres on bass, and Villu Tamme on vocals and g ...

, he formed a punk band called Trakulla at age fifteen with several classmates and younger brother Andrus after his mother gave him money to buy a guitar. The band went through several music styles and incarnations until eventually being called Luxury Filters and playing predominately jazz and

Texas blues Texas blues is blues music from Texas. As a regional style, its original form was characterized by jazz and swing influences. Later examples are often closer to blues rock and Southern rock. History Texas blues began to appear in the early 1900s ...

inspired songs. After recording several songs, the band appeared on the television

Eesti Televisioon Eesti Televisioon (ETV) ( en, Estonian Television) is an Estonian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by Estonian Public Broadcasting. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955. History Eesti Televisioon (''Estonian Televis ...

(ETV) program ''7 vaprat'' and found a degree of success in Estonia. Their most popular single, "Tramm nr 66", sung by Uuspõld, was released in 1992 when Uuspõld was nineteen. The band folded not long after, but reformed on several occasions, performing on ETV and the 2013

August Blues Festival August Blues Festival ( et, Augustibluus) is a blues music festival held in Haapsalu, Estonia since 1994. The festival takes place mainly inside the walls of Haapsalu Castle. It is the biggest blues festival in the Baltic states. Besides Eston ...

Haapsalu Haapsalu () is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Lääne County, and on 1 January 2020 it had a population of 9,375. Description Haapsalu has been well known for centuries for its ...

Stage career

After Luxury Filters broke up, Uuspõld was inspired to become an actor after watching Estonian actor

Tõnu Kark Tõnu Kark (born on 4 December 1947 in Tallinn) is an Estonian actor. His older brother is actor and caricaturist Feliks Kark. Notable roles Notable film roles: * '' Nest of Winds'' (1979) * '' Metskannikesed'' (1980) * '' Nukitsamees'' (1981) * ...

perform in a stage production of '' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest''. In 1994 he applied to and was accepted at the EMA Higher Drama School (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 ...

) in Tallinn, graduating in 1998. Among his graduating classmate were actors

Harriet Toompere Harriet Toompere (born 22 May 1975) is an Estonian stage, television, and film actress. She is also the author of two children's books. Early life and education Harriet Toompere was born in Tallinn to actor and director Hendrik Toompere Sr. and ...

Tiit Sukk Tiit Sukk (born 21 November 1974) is an Estonian stage, television, voice, and film actor, director and television presenter. Early life and education Tiit Sukk was born and raised in Jõgeva, Jõgeva County, where he attended primary and secon ...

Veikko Täär Veikko Täär (born 7 September 1971 in Tartu) is an Estonian actor, sport psychologist, athlete, educator and entrepreneur. Täär graduated from Tartu 10th Secondary School in 1989. From 1989 until 1991, he studied physics at the University of ...

Liina Vahtrik Liina Vahtrik (née Liina Sallo; born 8 August 1972 in Tallinn) is an Estonian actress. Liina Vahtrik was born in Tallinn to actress and singer Helgi Sallo and opera singer Uno Heinapuu ( :et). She attended schools in Tallinn, graduating from Ta ...

, and

Andero Ermel Andero Ermel (born 6 August 1976) is an Estonian stage, film, television, and voice actor. Early life and education Andero Ermel was born in Tartu. His father was Meelis Ermel and his mother's maiden name was Uibopuu. He has two siblings. He at ...

. While still a student, his course instructor Priit Pedajas offered him an engagement at the Estonian Drama Theatre. He would perform at the Estonian Drama Theatre from 1996 until 2013 in roles by

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 ...

, Ibsen,

Dostoyevsky Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky (, ; rus, Фёдор Михайлович Достоевский, Fyódor Mikháylovich Dostoyévskiy, p=ˈfʲɵdər mʲɪˈxajləvʲɪdʑ dəstɐˈjefskʲɪj, a=ru-Dostoevsky.ogg, links=yes; 11 November 18219 ...

, among many others. From 2005 until 2007 he also performed for two seasons 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 ...

theater in

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 ...

and from 2009 to 2014, with partner Karl Kermes, he created the Monoteater, which staged several plays. In 2013 he developed his own theater production company calle
Prem Productions

Television and film

Jan Uuspõld's first film role as an actor was in the 1999 Ervin Õunapuu directed short ''Kõrbekuu''. His first television appearance as an actor was in the

Kanal 2 Kanal 2 is a privately owned Estonian television channel. Its literal name in English is "Channel 2". The channel was established by Ilmar Taska. The channel began broadcasting on 1 October 1993. History The channel started broadcasting on ...

comedy series ''

Wremja ''Wremja'' was an Estonian situational comedy showing the lives of lower class people. It featured campy humor, intentionally, so as to keep the budget low. Wremja was preceded by the '' Wigla Show'' featuring a similar style, and the name was l ...

'' in 2001. He would appear in the program as a regular until 2003. This was followed by a dual role in the

Finnish Finnish may refer to: * Something or someone from, or related to Finland * Culture of Finland * Finnish people or Finns, the primary ethnic group in Finland * Finnish language, the national language of the Finnish people * Finnish cuisine See also ...

YLE2 television series ''Siperian Nero!'' He would go on to appear in roles for such television series as: ''Rikospoliisi ei laula'' (2006), ''Ohtlik lend'' (2006), ''Kelgukoerad'' (2007), ''Brigaad 3'' (2007), ''

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 ...

'' (2009-2012), among others. In 2004, he appeared on his own television program ''Jan E. Uuspõld Show'' on TV3. In 2014 he appeared on the popular

reality television Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...

program '' Su nägu kõlab tuttavalt'' (English: ''Your Face Sounds Familiar'') where celebrity contestants impersonate singers. Uuspõld's impersonations consisted of

Justin Bieber Justin Drew Bieber ( ; born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer. Bieber is recognized for his genre-melding musicianship and has played an influential role in modern-day popular music. He was discovered by American record executive Scooter ...

Vesa-Matti Loiri Vesa-Matti "Vesku" Loiri (4 January 1945 – 10 August 2022) was a Finnish actor, musician and comedian, best known for his role as Uuno Turhapuro, whom he portrayed in a total of 20 movies between the years 1973 and 2004. According to Yle Ne ...

Shirley Bassey Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey (; born 8 January 1937) is a Welsh singer. Best known for her career longevity, powerful voice and recording the theme songs to three James Bond films, Bassey is widely regarded as one of the most popular vocalists ...

B.B. King Riley B. King (September 16, 1925 – May 14, 2015), known professionally as B.B. King, was an American blues singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending, shi ...

and

Fred Astaire Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 – June 22, 1987) was an American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer. He is often called the greatest dancer in Hollywood film history. Astaire's career in stage, film, and tele ...

. In 2011, he also competed for charity and won performing on ''

Tantsud tähtedega ''Tantsud tähtedega'' ( Estonian: ''Dancing with the Stars'') is an Estonian television reality show that aired on Kanal 2 and season six on TV3. It debuted on 8 October 2006, and it became a popular television show in Estonia. It is based o ...

'', the Estonian version of '' Dancing with the Stars''. Since 2015, he has appeared as the character Urmas Kuldnokk on the Kanal 2 weekly television comedy series ''Takso''. In 2019, he began appearing in a starring role as the character Aksel in the

(ETV) comedy-drama television series ''Lahutus Eesti moodi'' opposite actress

. Shortly after leaving the Estonian Drama Theatre, Uuspõld had an idea to create a comedic

road movie A road movie is a film genre in which the main characters leave home on a road trip, typically altering the perspective from their everyday lives. Road movies often depict travel in the hinterlands, with the films exploring the theme of alienatio ...

. After presenting his idea to directors and screenwriters Rain Tolk and

Andres Maimik Andres Maimik (born 8 February 1970) is an Estonian film director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer and actor. Selected filmography * 2002 ''Agent Wild Duck'' (feature film; screenwriter) * 2006 ''Jan Uuspõld läheb Tartusse'' (feature ...

, the three collaborated in making the 2007 comedy ''

Jan Uuspõld läheb Tartusse ''Jan Uuspõld läheb Tartusse'' (English release title: ''186 Kilometres'') is a 2007 Estonian comedy film directed by Andres Maimik and Rain Tolk. Plot Cast Release Participation in film festivals: * 2007: goEast - Festival of Central and ...

'' (English release title: ''186 Kilometers''). In the film Uuspõld plays a down-on-his-luck caricature of himself, trying to hitchhike from Tallinn to Tartu to perform in a role at the Vanemuine theater. Along the way, he encounters a vision of deceased opera 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 ...

, a perverse truck driver, a man kept as a slave, a hippie, neo-Nazis, the

Estonian Army The Estonian Land Forces ( et, Maavägi), unofficially referred to as the Estonian Army, is the name of the unified ground forces among the Estonian Defense Forces where it has an offensive military formation role. It is currently the largest ...

and

Estonian President The president of the Republic of Estonia ( et, Eesti Vabariigi President) is the head of state of the Republic of Estonia. The current president is Alar Karis, elected by Parliament on 31 August 2021, replacing Kersti Kaljulaid. Estonia is ...

Toomas Hendrik Ilves Toomas Hendrik Ilves (; born 26 December 1953) is an Estonian politician who served as the fourth president of Estonia from 2006 until 2016. Ilves worked as a diplomat and journalist, and he was the leader of the Social Democratic Party in the ...

in a cameo appearance, among others. The film premiered in Estonia in 2007 and became the most viewed movie of the year, bringing a record number of people to the cinemas. In 2021, he appeared in the role of Aadam in the Ergo Kuld directed comedy film ''Jahihooaeg'' alongside

Mirtel Pohla Mirtel Pohla (born 28 January 1982) is an Estonian stage, film and television actress. Early life and education Mirtel Pohla was born in Tartu. She attended secondary school at the Tartu Karlova Gümnaasium, graduating in 2000. Afterward, she app ...

and Grete Kuld.

Personal life

Jan Uuspõld currently resides in Nõmme with his wife, Gerli Tiganik. The two were married in 2013. He has a daughter, Laura-Lisete, from a previous relationship with Margit Roosaar and was previously married to actress Marion Poom, with whom he has a son, Fred. He previously had a long-term relationship with actress

.elu.24
''Jan Uuspõld tõi teatrisse kolm kaasat korraga.'' 16 February 2012. Retrieved 7 Mat 2016.

Awards

Estonian Radio Eesti Raadio (Estonian Radio, ER) was the public service radio broadcaster of Estonia that, at the time of closure, operated five national radio stations. It was closed in 2007 as a result of a merger with Eesti Televisioon (Estonian Television, ...

Theatre Actor Award for the best radio play (Jörgen - ''Linnud'', Karl Raismik - ''Noored hinged'', Ekke - ''Domini Cane'') (2001) *Suur Ants, Estonian Drama Theatre Prize (Osvald Alving - ''Kummitused'') (2003) *Baltic Theatre Festival OmaDRAAMA Actor Award ( Eduard Wiiralt - ''Põrgu wärk'') (2006)
Kaval-Ants
Estonian Drama Theatre Prize for promoting the theatre in a television show, ''Tantsud tähtedega'' (2011) *

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 ...

Humor Prize (2014) *Estonian Radio Theatre Actor Award (Reading of A. H. Tammsaare 's novel ''Põrgupõhja uus Vanapagan'') (2018)

Selected filmography

* ''Melchior the Apothecary. The Executioner's Daughter'' (Estonian: ''Apteeker Melchior. Timuka tütar'') (2022) * ''Swing, Axe and the Tree of Eternal Love'' (Estonian: ''Kiik, Kirves ja Igavese Armastuse Puu'') (2022) * ''Hunting Season'' (Estonian: ''Jahihooaeg'') (2021) * ''Estonian Funeral'' (Estonian: ''Eesti matus'') (2021) * ''

Raggie ''Raggie'' ( et, Sipsik; da, Ida og PjalteRaggie

Free Range Free range denotes a method of farming husbandry where the animals, for at least part of the day, can roam freely outdoors, rather than being confined in an enclosure for 24 hours each day. On many farms, the outdoors ranging area is fenced, ...

'' (Estonian: ''Free Range: Ballaad maailma heakskiitmisest'') (2013) * ''Vasha'' (2009) * '' 186 Kilometers'' (Estonian release title: ''Jan Uuspõld läheb Tartusse'') (2007) * ''Hundi agoonia'' (2006) * '' Ruudi'' (2006) * ''

Frank and Wendy ''Frank and Wendy'' ( et, Frank ja Wendy) is a 2005 Estonian animated film directed by Kaspar Jancis Kaspar Jancis (born 8 May 1975) is an Estonian director of animated films, musician, composer. Kaspar Jancis was born in Tallinn Tallinn ...

'' (Estonian: ''Frank ja Wendy'', animated feature, voice) (2004) * '' Somnambulance'' (Estonian: ''Somnambuul'') (2003) * ''Made in Estonia'' (Estonian release title: ''Vanad ja kobedad saavad jalad alla'') (2003) * '' Ladybirds' Christmas'' (Estonian: ''Lepatriinude jõulud''; animated feature, voice) (2001)

References

External links

Prem ProductionsJan Uuspõld
* * Jan Uuspõld at th
Eesti Draamateater.

Luxury Filters
performing "Tramm nr 66" on ETV in 1992. {{DEFAULTSORT:Uuspold, Jan 1973 births Living people Estonian male stage actors Estonian male film actors Estonian male television actors Estonian rock musicians Estonian comedians 21st-century Estonian male singers Male actors from Tallinn Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre alumni 20th-century Estonian male actors 21st-century Estonian male actors Singers from Tallinn 20th-century Estonian male singers