Erik Kristian “Eeki” Mantere (25 January 1949, in Helsinki – 30 April 2007, in Espoo) was a Finnish musician that became famous in the 1970s as Viktor Kalborrek, soloist of the band Hullujussi. After Hullujussi disbanded in 1976, Mantere continued to perform as Viktor Kalborrek until the new millennium, albeit mainly in restaurants, department stores and TV programs. Playing a character that strongly resembled Kalborrek, he acted in the

Seppo Huunonen Seppo is a masculine given name of Finnish origin. It has two distinct origins; Seppo is a character in the Kalevala, whose name is derived from the Finnish word ''seppä'', meaning smith, and the name is also a diminutive for Sebastian in Finlan ...

movie ''

The Hair Club Smith are an English electro indie band based in York and Leeds, England. The band currently consists of Sam Robson (vocals/guitar), Neil Clark (keyboard/backing vocals), Lee Clark (bass guitar/backing vocals). The band are known for their ...

'' from 1974. In 1989, he played Kalborrek in a supporting role in the Visa Mäkinen film '' Screws on Loose''. In the Juha Tapaninen movie, the '' Iskelmäprinssi'' from 1991, Mantere dropped the Kaborrek act and played an Italian fashion guru. In addition to his acting skills, Mantere also worked as a guitarist, composer, lyricist. Under his artistic name, he released the album ''Synnyin kiertämään'' in 1987. Mantere also hosted several TV shows and did ads. One of Mantere's recurring characters in the ads was

Kari Grandi Kari Grandi is a fictional character, the main protagonist in the Finnish television advertisements for Grandi, a brand of ready-to-drink juice. Grandi was played by Eeki Mantere from the beginning of the character in the 1970s until 1999. He ...

, a Kalborrek-type figure. Mantere also provided voiceovers, such as his role of King Louie in the 90s remake of the Finnish sound track for the 1967 Disney movie '' The Jungle Book''. Mantere's last acting job was in his role on the TV show

Romano-tv ''Romano-tv'' (previously ''Manne-tv'') is a twelve-episode sketch-show based on common stereotypes and misconceptions the Finns have of the domestic Romani minority. It ran from June 2 to August 18, 2007 on Yle. The show was propelled by the ex ...

, which was broadcast by YLE TV1. Mantere died of pneumonia at the age of 58 in 2007 in Jorvi Hospital in Espoo, Finland.

References

1949 births 2007 deaths Musicians from Helsinki Finnish male actors Finnish male comedians Finnish male composers Finnish male guitarists Finnish lyricists 20th-century Finnish male singers 20th-century guitarists 20th-century comedians {{Finland-musician-stub