Emmi Jurkka (née originally Bergström, later Tuomi; 21 April 1899 — 17 October 1990) was a Finnish actor and theatre manager, with a career in stage, film and TV spanning over 60 years.[2]

Emmi Jurkka
Jurkka in her role as Tussan Lyyti, in Nyrki Tapiovaara's One Man's Fate (1940)
Born
Emmi Irene Bergström

(1899-04-21)21 April 1899[1]
Died17 October 1990(1990-10-17) (aged 91)
Helsinki, Finland
Spouse
Eino Jurkka
(m. 1922; div. 1931)
[1]
Awards
  • Pro Finlandia (1954)
  • Jussi Award (1954)
  • Ida Aalberg Prize (1977)

Career

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Emmi Jurkka has been described as "legendary" in the world of Finnish theatre.[2] As an actor, she was physical, sensual, expressive and immersive.[3] She performed a wide range of roles, from tragic to comic, and serious to lighthearted.[4]

Stage

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During her career, Jurkka was attached to several Finnish theatres, including Turku City Theatre, Tampere Theatre Helsinki City Theatre and the Finnish National Theatre.[1][4]

In 1953, Emmi Jurkka, together with her daughter Vappu, founded a small studio theatre, Teatteri Jurkka [fi], which continues to operate to this day.[4][3]

Film

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Jurkka appeared in over 40 films, mainly in the 1940s and 50s. Among her more notable roles was as Hilda Husso in the 1954 Kun on tunteet [fi], for which she received the Best Supporting Actress Jussi Award.[5]

She is also credited with directing five short films.[5]

Honours and awards

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In 1954, Jurkka received the Pro Finlandia [fi] medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland,[6] and in 1977, Finland's premier theatre award, the Ida Aalberg Prize [fi].

Personal life

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Emmi Jurkka was married to fellow thespian Eino Jurkka [fi], and the couple had three children, Sakari, Jussi and Vappu Jurkka [fi], each of whom also went into acting.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Kuka Kukin On (Who's Who) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. 1954. p. 288. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Emmi Jurkka". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 17 October 1990. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Jurkka, Emmi (1899-1990)". Kansallisbiografia.fi (in Finnish). National Biography of Finland. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Jurkka, Emmi". Uppslagsverket.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  5. ^ a b "Emmi Jurkka". Finna.fi (in Finnish). Elonet. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  6. ^ "SUOMEN LEIJONAN PRO FINLANDIA -MITALIN SAAJAT 1945-2021". Ritarikunnat.fi (in Finnish). The Orders of the White Rose of Finland and the Lion of Finland. Retrieved 1 May 2022.

Further reading

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