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Johann Urb was born in Tallinn, Estonia, on 24 January 1977 into the family of Tarmo and Maris. When Johann was 10, he moved to Finland with his mother and her new husband. They lived in several small towns until they finally settled in Tampere. At the age of 17 Johann moved to his father's in New York, where he soon started a modeling career. In 2001, he landed a small part in the movie Zoolander (2001). After that, he did a role in the short movie Fear of Feathers (2003) and appeared in one episode of CSI: Miami (2002). In 2004, he got a part in the short-running TV-show The Mountain (2004). After that, he appeared as a guest on several TV shows and appeared in more minor film roles. In 2008, Johann got his first big film role in the much-hated The Hottie & the Nottie (2008). In 2009, things seemed to go up when he made a short but memorable appearance as the sexy, heroic pilot in Roland Emmerich's disaster epic 2012 (2009) and played a journalist in the fantasy TV series Eastwick (2009), which brought him critical recognition. At the moment, Johann has two romantic comedies in work.

Katariina Unt was born on 6 December 1971 in Tallinn, Estonian SSR, USSR [now Estonia]. She is an actress, known for Undergods (2020), Lioness (2024) and Somnambulance (2003). She was previously married to Raivo E. Tamm and Indrek Sammul.

Russian-Estonian actor Kirill Käro is active in Eastern Europe, especially in Russia, Ukraine and Estonia. He became widely known for the Ukrainian detective series Sniffer (2013). Kirill Käro plays a man, who has an unusually sensitive sense of smell that allows him to investigate crimes by detecting and distinguishing trace amounts of various substances.

At the end of 2010, at the peak of the Netflix trend, Kirill Käro played in two genre Russian TV series, that were watched by the whole world. The first show is android thriller series Better Than Us (2018), about a world where androids serve humans in various positions, even replacing them in many menial jobs. The second show is the post-apocalyptic thriller series To the Lake (2019) about the beginning of a terrible epidemic, where two families unite to survive in a new world, which coincided with the release date of the series in the year of isolation from Covid-19.

Kirill Käro's most successful project in his homeland, Estonia, is a sports biographical drama The Fencer (2015) about an Estonian fencer Endel Nelis, where Käro played a notable supporting role, a friend of Endel. The film was nominated for the Golden Globe award in the Best Foreign Language Film category as a Finnish-German-Estonian co-production.

Ivan Triesault was born on 13 July 1898 in Reval, Russian Empire [now Tallinn, Harjumaa, Estonia]. He was an actor, known for Notorious (1946), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) and The Amazing Transparent Man (1960). He died on 3 January 1980 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Pääru Oja was born on 16 May 1989 in Tallinn, Estonia. He is an actor, known for The Shadow (2024), Mihkel (2018) and The Last Ones (2020).

Born in 1931, Narda became friends with Robert I. McCarthy when she was an eleven-year-old laundress for McCarthy's anti-aircraft battalion in Bonn.

In 1944, she was a child actress in Estonia. To escape the Russians, she, her grandparents, her mother and 2-year-old brother took to the sea bound for Sweden. Picked up as Germans, they were taken to Danzig. Amidst much confusion, because they spoke fluent German they were able to meld into the daily life there. The Onyx family later made their way to the American occupied forces at Bonn and sought refuge with the Swedish Red Cross. Later the family moved to Sweden; Narda resumed her acting career. Traveling to England where she worked for the Old Vic Company.

She then went to Canada to perform on stage and television. After appearing in some 70 television shows over the past six years, on October 20, 1961, she became an American citizen. While in Canada she met and married George Virand, also an Estonian refuge, where they moved to Hollywood.

Popular singer and TV host. Member of the Estonian National Opera (both as a singer and as stage director). Enthusiast of Gilbert and Sullivan, whose work he often performs in the UK. Has released several albums in many countries. Has also written best selling novels in English and Estonian. Was presented to HRH Queen Elizabeth in 2006. The knight of the order of St. Stanislaus. Has produced and directed several stage successes at the Estonian National Opera. Established his production company FilMinistry OÜ in 2016, presenting the well received horror drama Behind the Random Denominator and the epic TV history drama The Whores, in 2017.

Born in 1916 as the eldest child of a German-Baltic aristocrat, Baroness Irene Isabella Margarete Pauline Caecila von Meyendorff actually never planned to become a movie star. When the Russian Revolution broke out, the family escaped to Germany, where Irene's mother Elisabeth left her conservative husband with the children to live a very unconventional life in the theatre circles of Weimar/Thuringia. In the early 1930's Irene came to Berlin to work as a cutter in the UFA film studios of Babelsberg. As a breathtaking beautiful, ice-cold blond young woman she would have been the ideal star for Alfred Hitchcock movies. But these were the 1930's and she lived in Nazi Germany. When she was discovered for the screen, her debut was only a mediocre swashbuckler movie - which unexpectedly made her a star. Her best part maybe was the noble Hamburg Patrician daughter Octavia in Veit Harlan's Opfergang (1944). She never was a sympathizer of the Nazi system. Her first husband, Dr. Heinz Zahler, was a member of the Kreisau Circle, a group of religious motivated anti-Nazi-bourgeois. Her beauty attracted Joseph Goebbels, minister of propaganda, who got a harsh rebuff by her ("You would degrade me - and you would degrade yourself"). Joseph Goebbels's infamous nick name "Bock von Babelsberg" (the old horny goat of Babelsberg) was Irene's creation. After the war she only played minor parts in German films. In 1961 she met British actor James Robertson Justice, fell in love with him and left her second husband Pit Severin, a journalist from Hamburg, to follow James Robertson Justice to England. It was 1968 when she returned a last time to screen for a small part in the costume drama Mayerling (1968). She never was interested to continue her career. 8 years after James Robertson Justice's death in 1975, she met and later married philanthropist Keith Bromley. Even at the age of 70 she sailed to the Artic and the Orinoco River. On September 28, 2001, she died in Hampshire after a full, remarkable life.

Jüri Järvet (born as Georgi Kuznetsov) was a highly prolific and respected Estonian screen and stage actor. He was born in Tallinn. His mother moved to Moscow in 1920. Jüri stayed to live in family's friend who later gave him into an orphanage. At the age of five he was taken into a family with three children though his new parents didn't adopt him officially. In 1936 he changed his birth name to Jüri Järvet.

Jüri got his first acting experience in the fourth grade were he had a non speaking part in school play. His next role came in sixth grade. He also appeared in five real theatre plays at his school years but he was replaced when he turned sixteen thus making him too old for the parts. After high school he worked as a messenger in factory's office.

In 1941 during the Soviet occupation in Estonia, he was drafted into Soviet Red Army but was later demobilized. After war Jüri worked as a dancer in Noorsooteater but he felt that dancing isn't something he would like to do so in 1944 he started to study acting and in 1945 he got his first role. Beside his studies he also did editorial work in radio.

His most famous film roles came in 1970s as made title role in Grigoriy Kozintsev's powerful King Lear (1970) (King Lear). In 1972 he played Dr. Snaut in Andrei Tarkovsky's Solaris (1972) and in 1979 he played the owner of the hotel in Grigori Kromanov's cult film _'Hukkunud Alpinisti' hotell (1979)_ (The Dead Mountaineer Hotel).

Jüri Järvet was married twice. In 1948-1958 he was married with actress Inna Taarna. In 1955 their first son Jüri Järvet Jr. was born. In 1958 he married with oncologist Astrid. Couple had daughter Jana in 1960. Jüri died on July 5th 1995 in Tallinn.

Anita Yoo is a multilingual Estonia native with Russian North Korean roots, she is celebrated internationally for her language abilities, versatile performances and dedication to the craft. Her acting journey began in China, where she went to college, when a friend invited her to audition for True Color of Beauty, a big network TV show. She got the phone call the next day, inviting her to play the series regular role. Since then, she has been cast in more than 20 films and TV shows internationally. She is fluent in English, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Estonian and conversational in French. Anita's first big credit in the US was co-starring opposite Janet McTeer and John Lithgow in The Old Man, an Emmy and Golden Globes nominated FX/Hulu show. In 2025 she starred opposite John Cusack in the feature film Detective Chinatown 1900, which earned 300M USD in the opening week domestically. In China, she was a series regular on One Boat One World, a network TV show with billions of views, that was rated number 1 TV show in all of China for many weeks. Beyond her acting career, Anita is passionate about linguistics, international cuisine and culture. She is very athletic, has Muay Thai background and booked multiple action roles in the past. She is keen on creating her own opportunities, leading her to executive produce an award-winning short film Outside of Time in 2024, where she also plays an astronaut lost in time.

Evelin Pang is probably one of the most talented young actresses in Estonia. She was born on May 22, 1980 in Tallinn. The capitol of Estonia has been her home for her entire life. She went to school in Tallinn's 21st School, but since in 10th grade she became more interested in basketball than in maths, then she had to leave that school. She re-took her maths' tests and became a student for the Tallinn's 49th School (currently ARTE's Gymnasium), which she graduated in 1998 and on the same year she began her studies in Estonian Academy of Music's Higher Theater School under the watchful eye of Elmo Nüganen. That Evelin decided to study theater was a surprise for many people who knew her, because she had always been associated to music. She had learned piano in Tallinn's Children's Music School and she sings beautifully. But as it turned out the XX Course of Estonian Academy of Music's Higher Theater School is one of the most famous and luckiest. The young wannabe actors and actresses participated in Tallinn City Theater projects already when they were on the first course (when usually students are allowed on the stage on the third course). The grand finale of the XX Course was Names Engraved in Marble (2002). All of the young 15 actors and actresses participated in the film. Since year 2002 Evelin works in Tallinn City Theater. From her course six shining stars went to work there, including her best friend Hele Kõrve. Estonian Academy of Music's Higher Theater School was also the place where she met the love of her life Priit Võigemast who became her husband on July 29, 2005. Her amazing voice has brought her the roles of Betty Rizzo in the Estonian version of "Grease"; the role of Pille in a musical-play by Jaan Tätte "Kaotajad" and also the leading role in "Rise and Fall of the Silent Voice". Besides theater work in Tallinn City Theater and Nargen Opera the Estonian audience can see her since 2004 in the most famous Estonian TV series ever "Õnne 13", where she plays the role of Ursula-Amaranta Palm - the daughter of the Mayor of Morna who has problem with drugs that she trys to overcome. One of her newest projects is the film Stiilipidu (2005). Evelin has received Tallinn City Theater's Audience Award as Best Actress 2005 and also ESPAK Award 2005 as the Best Actress.

Rain Tolk was born on 9 June 1977 in Tallinn, Estonian SSR, USSR [now Estonia]. He is an actor and director, known for Tenet (2020), Umbkotid (2012) and Jan Uuspõld läheb Tartusse (2007).

Tõnis Pill was born on 21 July 1992 in Tallinn, Estonia. He is an assistant director and director, known for Tenet (2020), Counterpoint (2016) and Homebound (2018).

Tõnu Kark was born on 4 December 1947 in Tallinn, Estonia. He is an actor, known for Vsyo normalno (1988), Lilya 4-Ever (2002) and Green Cats (2017).

Meelis Arulepp was born on 9 May 1965 in Tallinn, Estonia. He is a director, known for Raggie (2020), FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992) and Eight Crazy Nights (2002).

Bruno O'Ya was born on 12 February 1933 in Tallinn, Estonia. He was an actor, known for Vystrel v tumane (1964), Nobody Wanted to Die (1965) and Put k prichalu (1962). He died on 9 October 2002 in Tartu, Estonia.

Ekaterina Volkova was born on 15 January 1982 in Tallinn, Estonian SSR, USSR. She is an actress, known for I'm Staying (2007), A Guy from Hollywood, or the Unusual Adventures of Venya Lucky (2018) and Lyubov lechit (2020). She has been married to Andrei Karpov since 9 April 2010. They have one child.

Alfred Rosenberg was born on 12 January 1893 in Reval, Russian Empire [now Tallinn, Estonia]. He was married to Hedwig Kramer and Hilda Elfriede Leesmann. He died on 16 October 1946 in Nuremberg, Germany.

Kaja Kallas was born on 18 June 1977 in Tallinn, Estonia. She has been married to Arvo Hallik since 2018. They have two children. She was previously married to Roomet Leiger.

Jan Uuspõld was born on the 14th of December, in 1973 in Tallinn. Raised in Nõmme, he was a true urban boy, as his family had lived there for four generations. After Mai Street Kindergarten he went to Tallinn's 34th Middle School, where he went for five years. In 1986, he and his family moved to Keila and Jan went to Keila's 1st High School, where he graduated middle school.

After graduating middle school, Jan went to Tallinn's 1st Industrial High School and where he was trained as of offset printer. Jan has done everything in life with great dedication. He worked as a printer, salesman of pots and pans, and as a fox shepherd at Karjakül's fur farm. In the army, Jan learned how to work hard and have discipline. He sees his time in the army as a good experience, and had considered serving overtime. Instead, he was accepted to "Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre" and become an actor.

Jan went to EMA Higher Drama School in 1994 and graduated as a proud member of the 18th flight in 1998. This school in Tallinn is now named the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Jan's course instructor was Priit Pedajas, who offered him a job at the Estonian Drama Theatre. He gained success quickly and was offered many roles, becoming one of the busiest actors in the theatre. In 2005, Jan went to Tartu and played at the Vanemuine for two seasons. He was invited back to Estonian Drama Theatre in 2007.

In 2009, Jan and his partner Karl Kermes created a Monotheatre. This was Jan's first personal project in the private theatre business. Monotheatre revived a popular comedy play called "Defending the Caveman". It also staged two follow-up plays: "Father" and "Grandfather". The theatre ended its business in 2014. In 2013, Jan decided to leave the Estonian Drama Theatre and devote more time to develop his own theatre production company, Prem Productions.

Jan was a first year student in acting school when he got his first television role. He was invited to the humor show Wremja by Dan Põldroos and Ivar Vigla. This was the beginning of a long-term cooperation with Dan Põldroos. Jan gained more recognition thanks to his humorous role as a Zorro in Wremja, which was broadcasted until 2000.

In 2000, Jan was casted by YLE2, a Finnish television channel. He got the leading role in a "Siperian Nero". Thanks to a year of filming in Tampere, he speaks Finnish very well.

After ending the contract with Drama Theatre, Jan didn't feel like he had a place he belonged. Coming out of writer's block, he had the idea to make a road movie of him finding his place under the sun again. He introduced his idea to Rain Tolk and Andres Maimik, who were excited by the idea. And so it was done! In 2007, the premiere of the movie, called "Jan Uuspõld goes to Tartu", became the most viewed movie at that time. It brought a record number of people to the cinemas. It was a movie that made him an icon, which got carried into people's mind forever.

After ending the contract with Drama Theatre, Jan didn't feel like he had a place he belonged. Coming out of writer's block, he had the idea to make a road movie of him finding his place under the sun again. He introduced his idea to Rain Tolk and Andres Maimik, who were excited by the idea. And so it was done! In 2007, the premiere of the movie, called "Jan Uuspõld goes to Tartu", became the most viewed movie at that time. It brought a record number of people to the cinemas. It was a movie that made him an icon, which got carried into people's mind forever.

In 2011, he was persuaded to take part in a charity show Dancing with the Stars produced by Kanal 2. Jan felt highly hesitated about ballroom dancing, he didn't know how to dance and he thought he was only going to the show to lose the competition. But after his first dance lesson with his dance coach Aleksandra, his doubts faded and Jan started to feel passionate about dancing. And just like that, he won the last season of the show. One of the most popular TV shows in Estonia, since 2013, has been Your face sounds familiar and Jan attended the show in 2014. Jan's most talked-about roles were Justin Bieber, Shirley Bassey, Vesa-Matti Loiri, Vladimir Vysotsky, BB King and Fred Astaire.

In 2015, Jan got the leading role as a taxi-driver Urmas Kuldnokk, in a show Taxi. It is a comedy show on Kanal 2, shown every Tuesday evening.

A film writer Toomas Hussar created a character specially for Jan, who accepted the role of a spy in a new movie The Spy and the Poet. The movie was filmed in the fall 2015 and will be premiered in September 2016.

Private life

Jan is the eldest son of his parents, Heidi and Ingar Uuspõld. His mother is an accountant and his father was a long-distance driver. His two younger brothers are named Andrus and Jaanus Uuspõld. Jan has two kids, a daughter and son. In 2012, Jan moved back to Nõmme and lives there with his wife Gerli Tiganik. They got married in 2013.

Rein Oja was born on 26 February 1956 in Tallinn, Estonia. He is an actor and casting director, known for Baltic Storm (2003), The Sandhamn Murders (2010) and Ramona (2003).

Ott Sepp was born on 29 June 1982 in Tallinn, Estonian SSR, USSR [now Estonia]. He is an actor and writer, known for Riigimehed (2010), Malev (2005) and Papsid (2023).

Miss Palmiste is a leading actress of the Estonian State Drama Theater, known also for her many roles in TV and films. She has won numerous awards, including The Best TV Actress for her portrayal of Madame Kukk in the award winning TV series The Whores, at the Kroonika Entertainment Awards 2018. She has often been selected as the most elegant Estonian actress. She has also appeared in musicals (such as Chicago) and in operetta (such as in Ball at the Savoy, at the Estonian National Opera).

Anne Reemann was born on 30 December 1962 in Tallinn, Estonia. She is an actress, known for Tuulepealne maa (2008), Living Images (2013) and Names Engraved in Marble (2002). She is married to Elmo Nüganen. They have three children.

Elsa Wagner was born on 24 January 1881 in Reval, Russian Empire [now Tallinn, Estonia]. She was an actress, known for The Marriage of Figaro (1949), Die Buddenbrooks (1923) and Der Spieler (1938). She was married to Herr Rühl. She died on 17 August 1975 in West Berlin, West Germany.