Hannu Kivioja

Hannu Kivioja, born 30 June 1963 in Ylivieska, Finland, is a celebrated Finnish actor whose career spans more than three decades. From a modest beginning, Kivioja’s first attempt to enter the Helsinki Theatre Academy in 1985 ended in rejection, yet this setback led to an unexpected breakthrough when director Rauni Mollberg cast him as Riitaoja in the 1985 adaptation of The Unknown Soldier. The role not only marked his cinematic debut but also secured his admission to the Academy the following year, setting the foundation for a prolific acting journey. Throughout the 1990s, Kivioja established himself as a versatile performer, delivering memorable performances in films such as Friends, Comrades (1990) and Shear Fear (1992), before achieving critical acclaim with his portrayal of Juhani Haavisto in Veikko Aaltonen’s Pater Noster (1993). This performance earned him the prestigious Jussi Award for Best Actor, cementing his status among Finland’s elite actors. Over the ensuing years, he continued to diversify his filmography, appearing in Aleksi Mäkelä’s Bad Boys (2003), Timo Koivusalo’s Sibelius (2003), and the internationally noted The Other Side of Hope (2017) directed by Aki Kaurismäki. Kivioja’s roles often showcase his ability to convey deep emotional nuance, whether portraying stoic soldiers, troubled youths, or complex historical figures, contributing to his reputation as a chameleonic talent. Beyond the silver screen, he remains active in theatre, bringing his cinematic experience to stage productions across Finland. His sustained presence in the industry, combined with a repertoire that spans drama, comedy, and historical epics, reflects a career marked by resilience, artistic growth, and a lasting impact on Finnish cultural life.