Jorma Tommila
Biography
Jorma Tommila is a respected Finnish actor whose career spans several decades in both film and television. Born in Rauma, Finland, in 1959, he is known for his intense performances and his frequent collaboration with director Jalmari Helander.
Biography and Early Career
Tommila received his education at the Helsinki Theatre Academy. In 1987, while still at the academy, he was one of the founding members of the experimental Finnish theatre group, Jumalan teatteri (God's Theater). His early film work includes roles in films like Back to the USSR – takaisin Ryssiin (1992) and Lipton Cockton in the Shadows of Sodom (1995).
In 1997, he was honored with the Jussi Award (the Finnish equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Actor for his role in the film The Christmas Party.
Collaboration with Jalmari Helander and Notable Roles
A significant part of Tommila's career involves his partnership with director and brother-in-law, Jalmari Helander. This collaboration has yielded several internationally recognized films, establishing Tommila as a leading figure in Finnish action and genre cinema.
Key films in this partnership include:
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010): A dark fantasy film where Tommila played the role of Rauno Kontio.
Big Game (2014): An action-adventure film set in the Finnish wilderness.
Sisu (2022): This film brought Tommila international recognition for his lead role as Aatami Korpi, a legendary ex-commando turned gold prospector who battles a Nazi platoon in Lapland during World War II. The character's unrelenting determination is the physical embodiment of the Finnish word sisu. Tommila's performance earned him the Best Actor award at the Sitges Film Festival in 2022.
Sisu: Road to Revenge (2025): Tommila is set to reprise his role as Aatami Korpi in the sequel.
Tommila's filmography also includes the war film The Unknown Soldier (2017) and roles in various TV series such as Bordertown. He lives in Vaasa with his family, which includes his wife, actress Ida Helander-Tommila, and his son, actor Onni Tommila, who has also appeared in several of the Helander films.
