Leo Paavali Jokela (24 January 1927 – 11 May 1975) was a Finnish actor. He is best remembered for his role as a detective Kokki in

Matti Kassila Matti Kassila (12 January 1924 – 13 December 2018) was a Finnish film director who achieved fame as one of the most prominent Finnish filmmakers in the 1950s and 1960s. He is most famous for the series of four Inspector Palmu movies, based on ...

's '' Komisario Palmu'' films and as a parrot G. Pula-aho in

Spede Pasanen Pertti Olavi "Spede" Pasanen (10 April 1930 – 7 September 2001) was a Finnish film director and producer, comedian, and inventor. During his career he directed, wrote, produced or acted in about 50 movies and participated in numerous TV p ...

's radio programs.

Career beginnings

Jokela worked in several Finnish theatres before making his impact on films. His first major film role came in a 1954 crime comedy ''Kovanaama'', directed by Aarne Tarkas. During the next ten years, Jokela appeared in almost all Tarkas films, in bigger or smaller parts. Besides acting, he also worked occasionally as a make-up artist.

Highlights

In 1960, Jokela appeared as a detective Kokki in Matti Kassila film ''

Komisario Palmun erehdys ''Komisario Palmun erehdys'' (Swedish title: ''Mysteriet Rygseck''; international titles: ''Inspector Palmu's Mistake'' or ''Inspector Palmu's Error''; US DVD title: ''The Rygseck Mystery'') is a 1960 Finnish crime comedy film directed by Matti K ...

''. A scene in which he sings a song ''Silmät tummat kuin yö'' has since become his signature moment in film. Jokela subsequently reprised this role in three more Komisario Palmu films; '' Kaasua, komisario Palmu!'' (1961), ''

Tähdet kertovat, komisario Palmu ''The Stars Will Tell, Inspector Palmu'' (Finnish: ''Tähdet kertovat, komisario Palmu'') is a 1962 Finnish comedy- crime film directed by Matti Kassila. It is the third film in the ''Inspector Palmu'' series and the second one produced by Fenna ...

'' (1962) and ''

Vodkaa, komisario Palmu ''Vodkaa, komisario Palmu'' (''Vodka, Inspector Palmu'') is a 1969 film, the fourth and final part of the Inspector Palmu series. The only part of the series to be filmed in color, the film is also the only one not to be based on a novel by Mika ...

'' (1969). For his role in ''Tähdet kertovat, komisario Palmu'', he received a

Jussi Award The Jussi Awards are Finland's premier film industry prizes, awarded annually to recognize the achievements of directors, actors, and writers. History The first Jussi Awards ceremony was held on 16 November 1944 at the Restaurant Adlon in Hels ...

for best supportive actor.

Private life

Leo Jokela was married twice, first to Eila Sillantie (1947–1952) and then to Marja-Terttu Vainio, from 1957 until his death in 1975. Jokela was known as a heavy drinker, and the cause of his death at the age of 48 was cirrhosis of the liver. One of his dearest hobbies was knitting.

Legacy

Leo Jokela Boozing Society celebrates Jokela's life work by honoring G. Pula-aho statues and certificates every year to Finnish entertainment professionals for outstanding achievements in culture and entertainment. A biography ''Leo Jokela – vaatimaton sivuosien sankari'' (''Modest star of supporting roles'') was released in 2017.

Selected filmography

*''Serenaadiluutnantti'' (1949) *''Kanavan laidalla'' (1949) *''Tukkijoella'' (1951) *''Lakeuksien lukko'' (1952) *'' Noita palaa elämään'' (1952) *''Kuningas kulkureitten'' (1953) *''Alaston malli karkuteillä'' (1953) *''Sininen viikko'' (1954) *''Putkinotko'' (1954) *''Hilman päivät'' (1954) *''Villi Pohjola'' (1955) *''

Elokuu Elokuu ("August" in Finnish) is a Finnish hip hop band founded in 2011 by reggae artist Nopsajalka, Kenyan-Finnish rapper Juno, and producer Jonas W. Karlsson as a mix of Finnish swing and jazz. Their first official single "Soutaa huopaa"

'' (1956) *'' Punainen viiva'' (1959) *''Ei ruumiita makuuhuoneeseen'' (1959) *''

'' (1960) *''Kultainen vasikka'' (1961) *'' Kaasua, komisario Palmu!'' (1961) *''

'' (1962) *''Taape tähtenä'' (1962) *''Johan nyt on markkinat!'' (1966) *'' Pähkähullu Suomi'' (1967) *''Vain neljä kertaa'' (1968) *''

Noin 7 veljestä , image = Noinseitsemänveljestä.jpg , image_size = , caption = Poster , director = Jukka Virtanen , producer = Spede Pasanen , writer = , narrator = Martti Silvennoinen (uncredited)Ilkka Lip ...

'' (1968) *''

'' (1969) *'' Näköradiomiehen ihmeelliset siekailut'' (1969) *''Rautatie'' (1973) *''Viu-hah hah-taja'' (1974)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Jokela, Leo 1927 births 1975 deaths People from Hausjärvi Finnish male film actors 20th-century Finnish male actors