Taavi Eelmaa

Taavi Eelmaa (born 15 June 1971 in Tallinn, Estonia) is a prominent Estonian stage and film actor whose career has spanned more than three decades. He grew up in a theatrical family, being the son of celebrated actors Aleksander Eelmaa and Reet Eelmaa, which gave him an early exposure to the performing arts. After completing his secondary education, Eelmaa enrolled at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where he graduated in 1996 alongside notable classmates such as Karin Tammaru and Indrek Saar. His professional debut came shortly after, when he joined the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn, dedicating six years to the company before moving to the avant‑garde Von Krahl Theatre in 2002, where he remains a core ensemble member. Eelmaa's screen career began in 1993 with Rainer Sarnet’s short film Merehaigus (Seasickness), and he quickly became a recognizable face in Estonian cinema. He delivered a critically acclaimed performance as Theo in Veiko Õunpuu’s 2007 drama Sügisball (Autumn Ball), a film adaptation of Mati Unt’s novel, and later starred as the titular character in Õunpuu’s 2009 black comedy Püha Tõnu kiusamine (The Temptation of St. Tony), which was Estonia’s submission for the 83rd Academy Awards. His versatility extends to television, where he is perhaps best known for portraying Priit Post in the popular crime series Kelgukoerad on Kanal 2. Over the years, Eelmaa has contributed to a wide range of projects, including Ruudi (2006), Idioot (2011), the international co‑production Purge (2012), and the atmospheric thriller November (2017). He continues to be an influential figure in the Baltic performing arts scene, admired for his ability to inhabit complex characters with subtle nuance. Outside of his professional life, details about his personal relationships and family remain private, reflecting his preference for keeping the focus on his artistic work.