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Spede Pasanen

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Pertti Olavi "Spede" Pasanen was a famous Finnish entertainer.

Spede-Pasanen-1990
Spede-Pasanen-1990

He was known as an "all-around entertainer" because he did so many jobs. He worked as a film director and a producer. He was also a comedian and a clever inventor. People in Finland loved his work for many years. He even made a special tool for ski jumping in 1976.

Ski jumping sling in Salla, Finland, in 1976 (JOKAJUK4B D-3)
Ski jumping sling in Salla, Finland, in 1976 (JOKAJUK4B D-3)

Spede's career began with fast and clever jokes on the radio. He wanted to bring American comedy styles to Finland. He was inspired by funny stars like Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis. He hosted many live shows with great ease. One famous program was called Ruljanssiriihi. It used music and funny sketches to amaze listeners. He also created a funny character named G. Pula-Aho.

Pasanen-Haarla-Alpola-1960
Pasanen-Haarla-Alpola-1960

This was a smart-talking parrot who liked to insult Spede.

Spede grew up in the city of Kuopio. He was born there on April 10, 1930. His father worked for a paper company called Ahlström. As a young boy, Spede loved many different things. He played ice hockey with great passion. He also liked making chemical experiments in his basement. He even built a custom scooter from old junk parts.

Later, Spede moved into movies and television. He directed and acted in about 50 different movies. He owned his own company called Filmituotanto Spede Pasanen Ky. He often worked with actors like Vesa-Matti Loiri and Simo Salminen. Together, they made the very popular character Uuno Turhapuro. This character started in TV sketches and became a long series of films.

Spede-Pasanen-1973
Spede-Pasanen-1973

Many of his shows were made quickly and on a low budget.

Spede's life was full of many different roles. He served in the military as a Sub-lieutenant. He also performed in a ballet called Don Quijote in 1958. This was a big success for the Finnish National Opera. He moved to Helsinki in 1953 to study at a university. While there, he became a famous host for student parties. He spent his whole life finding new ways to entertain people.

Spede Pasanen Grave
Spede Pasanen Grave
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🖼️ Images & Media (16)
File:Spede Pasanen soittamassa pianoa.jpg
Spede Pasanen soittamassa pianoa.jpg
File:Spede Pasanen opiskelija-asunnossa.jpg
Spede Pasanen opiskelija-asunnossa.jpg
File:Spede Pasanen armeijassa.jpg
Spede Pasanen armeijassa.jpg
File:Pasanen-Haarla-Alpola-1960.jpg
Pasanen-Haarla-Alpola-1960.jpg
File:Spede Pasanen ja Jaakko Pakkasvirta vuonna 1964.JPG
Spede Pasanen ja Jaakko Pakkasvirta...
File:Speden saluuna 16.1.1965 (21221600530).jpg
Speden saluuna 16.1.1965 (21221600530).jpg
File:Pasanen-Virtanen-Kokkonen-1968.jpg
Pasanen-Virtanen-Kokkonen-1968.jpg
File:Spede-Pasanen-in-Swedish-TV-1972.jpg
Spede-Pasanen-in-Swedish-TV-1972.jpg
File:Spede-Pasanen-1973.jpg
Spede-Pasanen-1973.jpg
Hirttämättömät 1971 (JOKAMAL2B48-1).tif
File:Pasanen ja Väisänen Uudessa Oopperatalossa 1993.jpg
Pasanen ja Väisänen Uudessa...
File:Spede-Pasanen-1990.jpg
Spede-Pasanen-1990.jpg

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