Väino Laes (born 26 September 1951 in

Jõhvi Jõhvi ( ; ; ) is a town in northeastern Estonia, and the administrative seat of Ida-Viru County and Jõhvi Parish. The town is located about 50 km west of the Estonia–Russia international border. History Jõhvi was first mentioned as ...

) is an

Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...

n actor. In 1974 he graduated from

Tallinn State Conservatory 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 ...

. From 1978 to 1989 he worked at Rakvere Theatre, 1989–1995 in

Estonian Drama Theatre The Estonian Drama Theatre () 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 originally built for the ...

, and since 1995 in

Vanalinnastuudio Vanalinnastuudio (literally 'Old Town Studio') was a theatre in Tallinn, Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west b ...

. He has also starred in several films. In 1992 he was a nominee for the

European Film Award for Best Supporting Actor The European Film Award for Best Supporting Actor was awarded by the European Film Academy to actors of European language films. It ran from 1988 to 1992. Winners and nominees Awards by Years See also * BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor * C� ...

. Laes has been in a long-term relationship with actress Erika Kaljusaar since 1980. The couple reside in the village of

Padise Padise () is a village in Lääne-Harju Parish, Harju County in northern Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west ...

Harju County Harju County ( or ''Harjumaa''), is one of the fifteen counties of Estonia. It is situated in northern Estonia, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland, and borders Lääne-Viru County to the east, Järva County to the southeast, Rapla Count ...

, with a summer home and small farm on the island of

Saaremaa Saaremaa (; ) is the largest and most populous island in Estonia. Measuring , its population is 31,435 (as of January 2020). The main island of the West Estonian archipelago (Moonsund archipelago), it is located in the Baltic Sea, south of Hi ...

Selected roles

Film roles

* 1984 ''Karoliine hõbelõng'' (feature film) * 1989 ''

Äratus ''Äratus'' (English: ''Awakening'') is a 1989 Estonian historical drama film directed by Jüri Sillart. Plot The film chronicles the lives of Estonian villagers during "Operation Priboi"; the 25 to 28 March 1949 Population transfer in the Sovi ...

'' (feature film, role: Saareaugu Arnold) * 1990 ''Sügis'' (feature film, role:

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 ...

) * 1990 ''See kadunud tee'' (feature film, role: Riida Oskar) * 1991 '' Rahu tänav'' (feature film, role: Peeter) * 1993 '' Tallinn pimeduses'' (feature film, role: Andreas) * 1994 '' Jüri Rumm'' (feature film, role: Count von Rellingshausen) * 1998 ''Kallis härra Q'' (feature film, role: Uncle Oskar) * 2002 '' Nimed marmortahvlil'' (feature film) * 2010 ''Taevavõti'' (feature film) * 2012 ''Üksik saar'' (feature film) * 2012 ''Distants'' (short film, role: Father) * 2014 ''Väikelinna detektiivid'' (television series, role: Bishop)

References

Living people 1951 births Estonian male stage actors Estonian male film actors Estonian male television actors Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre alumni People from Jõhvi {{Estonia-actor-stub