Jukka Virtanen (director)

Jukka Jalmari Virtanen (born 25. July 1933 in Jämsänkoski) is a noted entertainer and author. He has worked as both a film and television director, actor and host. He is also an accomplished songwriter. Starting originally as a newspaper columnist, Virtanen began his television career in the 1950s and his film career in the 1960s.

He's won the Rose d'Or in 1965 for the entertainment program Lumilinna (The Cold Old Days). He is known for starring and directing in many films by Spede Pasanen, most notably in Millipilleri, Pähkähullu Suomi and Noin 7 Veljestä as well as playing bit parts in the Uuno Turhapuro franchise.

He was also the long-standing host of the TV show Levyraati (1980-1997) as well as Runoraati. Additionally, he has been a songwriter for a number of prolific Finnish musical artists such as Ilkka Lipsanen.

Virtanen started his directorial career in the 1960s and directed a high number of TV movies for YLE. His first theatrical feature was Millipilleri in 1966 which he co-directed with Ere Kokkonen and Spede Pasanen, all of whom also played roles in the film. He also directed Pähkähullu Suomi (1967) as well as Noin 7 Veljestä (1968), where he also starred. His last theatrical film was Fakta Homma in 1987, based on the highly popular comedy TV show of the same name.

As an actor, he debuted in the movie Iloinen Linnanmäki and had a long-standing series of supporting roles in future Spede films, including Speedy Gonzales – noin 7 veljeksen poika and the Vääpeli Körmy series.

His TV career started formally in 1955 when he began directing both commercials and short-films for YLE. He directed and starred in a large variety of programs and TV produced films for YLE throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

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