Aku Korhonen
A beloved Finnish comedic actor whose rubber-faced expressions and everyman charm defined a generation of film and theater.
1892–1960 (age 68)·Finnish actor·Birthday: December 29·The Lost Generation
Biography
Aku Korhonen was the quintessential Finnish comic foil, a master of physical humor and timing whose career spanned the formative decades of Finnish cinema. He began in theater, honing the craft that would make him a national treasure. When sound films arrived in Finland, Korhonen's expressive voice and impeccable delivery made him a natural star. He often played the put-upon common man, the bumbling friend, or the harried father, roles that resonated deeply with audiences navigating the 20th century. His partnership with fellow actor and comedian Einari Ketola was particularly famous, creating a classic double-act dynamic. Despite his comedic genius, he was a serious artist, a fact acknowledged by his peers who awarded him three Jussi Awards, Finland's equivalent of the Oscar. Korhonen's legacy is a catalog of laughter that helped shape a national sense of humor.
The Lost Generation
1883–1900
Came of age during World War I. Disillusioned by the carnage, they rejected the certainties of the Victorian era and built modernism from the wreckage — in art, literature, and politics.
Aku was born in 1892, placing them squarely in The Lost Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aku Was Born
The biggest hits of 1892
Aku's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1892Born
President: Benjamin Harrison
1897Started school
President: William McKinley
1905Became a teenager
Einstein publishes the theory of special relativity
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1908Could drive
Ford Model T goes into production
President: Theodore Roosevelt
1910Could vote
Halley's Comet makes its closest approach
President: William Howard Taft
1913Turned 21
The Federal Reserve is established
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Turned 30
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1932Turned 40
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1942Turned 50
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1952Turned 60
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1960Died at 68
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
Key Achievements
- Won three Jussi Awards (Finland's national film prize) for his performances.
- Appeared in over 75 films, becoming one of the most recognizable faces in Finnish cinema history.
- Was a central member of the Suomen Filmiteollisuus studio ensemble during its golden age.
- His theatrical work with the Helsinki-based Kansanteatteri was hugely popular for decades.
Did You Know?
He was originally trained and worked as a typesetter before turning to acting full-time.
One of his most iconic roles was as the character 'Lapatossu' in a series of popular films.
He served as a member of the Helsinki city council from 1945 to 1948.
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