Loiri is one of Finland’s most famous and beloved cultural figures. He appeared in over 100 films and TV series, where perhaps his most famous role is as the clown Uuno Turhapuro. His last film was Mika Kaurismäki’s drama-comedy “Mestari Cheng” from 2019.
As a musician, Loiri released, among other things, Carl Michael Bellman’s songs translated into Finnish and in 1980 he participated in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö writes on Twitter that Vesa-Matti Loiri was “the greatest of the greats” and that he has deeply touched the soul of the Finnish people.
Loiri was 77 years old.