Leida Rammo
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Leida Rammo (18 April 1924 – 23 July 2020) was an
Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...
n stage, radio, television, and film actress and theatre director whose career spanned over seven decades.


Early life and education

Leida Rammo was the eldest of two children born in
Tallinn Tallinn is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Estonia, most populous city of Estonia. Situated on a Tallinn Bay, bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, it has a population of (as of 2025) and ...
to Magnus Siigur and Alide Marie Johanna Rammo. Her younger sister was children's author and dramaturge Helju Rammo (1926–1998). Her maternal grandmother was an Estonian Swede and her first cousin was poet Adolf Rammo. Rammo's mother supported the family as a flower seller and raised the children alone. Her parents were not married and she and her sister took their mother's maiden name. Although her father lived in Tallinn, Rammo had little interaction with him whilst growing up. Since early childhood, she was interested in theatre and had aspired to become an actress. She attended primary and secondary schools in Tallinn, graduating from Tallinn IV Gymnasium in 1942 while Estonia was under
German occupation German-occupied Europe, or Nazi-occupied Europe, refers to the sovereign countries of Europe which were wholly or partly militarily occupied and civil-occupied, including puppet states, by the (armed forces) and the government of Nazi Germany at ...
during
World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
.


Career

Shortly after graduating from secondary school, Rammo left Estonia to work as an au pair and domestic servant for a Spanish-born woman and her German husband in Aussig, in the German-annexed
Sudetenland The Sudetenland ( , ; Czech and ) is a German name for the northern, southern, and western areas of former Czechoslovakia which were inhabited primarily by Sudeten Germans. These German speakers had predominated in the border districts of Bohe ...
. As the war dragged on, Rammo, along with the family, moved to
Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...
, where she also studied drama until the continuation of the war forced her abandon her studies. While in Austria, she lived through the Allied air raids and the
Vienna Offensive The Vienna offensive was an offensive launched by the Soviet 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts in order to capture Vienna, Austria, during World War II. The offensive lasted from 16 March to 15 April 1945. After several days of street-to-street figh ...
. Rammo had lost contact with her mother and sister during the later stages of the war and assumed they had fled Estonia for Sweden when the Soviets reoccupied the country in 1944. Following the end of hostilities, she became a
displaced person Forced displacement (also forced migration or forced relocation) is an involuntary or coerced movement of a person or people away from their home or home region. The UNHCR defines 'forced displacement' as follows: displaced "as a result of perse ...
and met a young Belgian man named François on a train who offered her a place to stay with his family in
Liège Liège ( ; ; ; ; ) is a City status in Belgium, city and Municipalities in Belgium, municipality of Wallonia, and the capital of the Liège Province, province of Liège, Belgium. The city is situated in the valley of the Meuse, in the east o ...
. After several months in Belgium, she contemplated emigrating to the
United States of America The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguo ...
, but ultimately decided to return to Estonia, which had been reoccupied and annexed by the Soviet Union. When she arrived back in Estonia she was surprised to find that her mother and sister had remained in the country. In 1946, she enrolled in the now defunct Estonian State Theatre Institute in Tallinn to study acting, graduating in 1950. Among her graduating classmates were actors
Olev Tinn Olev Tinn (3 September 1920 – 6 September 1971) was an Estonian actor. Tinn's father was Estonian actor and theatre director Eduard Tinn. In 1950, he graduated from Estonian State Theatre Institute. From 1940-1941, he worked at Ugala Theatre, a ...
, Einari Koppel, and Linda Rummo, and filmmaker
Leida Laius Leida Laius (26 March 1923, in Horoshevo, Yamburgsky Uyezd, Russia – 6 April 1996, in Tallinn) was an Estonian film director. She is widely received as one of the most renowned filmmakers in Estonian cinema. In 1995 she was honored by the Esto ...
.


Stage

Leida Rammo had a prolific career as a stage actress; in 1950, she began her first engagement at the Tallinn State Drama Theatre (now, the
Estonian Drama Theatre The Estonian Drama Theatre () is a theatre in Tallinn, Estonia. It has the role of a national theatre for Estonia. The Estonia Theatre is located next door. History The building that houses the Estonian Drama Theatre was originally built for the ...
). Throughout her over seventy-year career, she has held engagements at nearly every major theatre in Estonia, including the
Estonian National Opera Estonian National Opera (''Rahvusooper Estonia'') is the national opera company of Estonia. The company is based at the Estonia Theatre in Tallinn. The theatre has had several names throughout its existence. The latest one being "The Estonian Na ...
,
Endla Theatre Endla () is a professional theatre in city of Pärnu, Estonia. The roots of the theatre came from Endla Society. The theatre opened in 1911. The first performance was ''Libahunt'' (The Werewolf) by the Estonian writer August Kitzberg. The Es ...
, Estonian SSR State Youth Theatre (now, the
Tallinn City Theatre Tallinn City Theatre () is a repertory theatre located in the medieval old town of Tallinn, Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from ...
), and
Rakvere Theatre Rakvere Theatre is a professional theatre in Rakvere, Estonia. History Rakvere Theatre was established in the fall of 1921, when ''Rakvere Näitlejate Ring'' was formed. The building of the Rakvere Theatre was opened with a public ceremony on 24 ...
, and has appeared as an actress on the stages of numerous other theatres throughout the country. She has also worked as a theatre director, notably at the
A. H. Tammsaare Anton Hansen (18 (O.S.)/30 January 1878 – 1 March 1940), better known by his pseudonym A. H. Tammsaare and its variants, was an Estonian writer whose pentalogy '' Truth and Justice'' (''Tõde ja õigus''; 1926–1933) is considered one of t ...
Folk Theater between 1958 and 1963 and again from 1972 until 1984, the
Paul Pinna Paul Pinna (3 October 1884 Tallinn – 29 March 1949 Tallinn) was an Estonian actor and stage director. Career In 1899 he started performing on stage at the Estonia theatre society. In the early 1900s, he was engaged with the Estonia Theatre. ...
Folk Theatre from 1963 until 1965, and at the Noorus Folk Theatre from 1966 until 1968. In 2015, the Estonian National Culture Foundation helped establish the Leida Rammo City Theatre Foundation with the aim of recognizing and supporting the creative endeavors of individuals within the Tallinn City Theatre. A scholarship has been awarded annually to those associated with the theatre. Past recipients include
Külli Teetamm Külli Teetamm (born 22 May 1976), is an Estonian stage, television and film actress. Early life and education Külli Teetamm was born and attended school in Pärnu. She studied acting at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre Drama School (no ...
and
Indrek Ojari Indrek Ojari (born 9 October 1977 in Tallinn) is an Estonian actor. In 2000 he graduated from Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Since 2004 he is working at Tallinn City Theatre. Selected filmography * 2002: ''Names in Marble (film)'' (, fe ...
(2016),
Epp Eespäev Epp Eespäev (born 25 October 1961 in Võru) is an Estonian actress. In 1988 she graduated from Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, Tallinn State Conservatory. Since 1988 she is working at Tallinn City Theatre. Eespäev was previously married ...
(2017),
Alo Kõrve Alo Kõrve (born 2 December 1978) is an Estonian stage, film, and television actor. Early life and education Alo Kõrve was born in Jõgeva, Jõgeva County to Are Kõrve and his wife (''née'' Simson). He is the youngest of two siblings; his old ...
(2018),
Hele Kõrve Hele Kõrve (until 2009, Hele Kõre; born 7 January 1980) is an Estonian stage, television, film and voice actress and singer. Early life and education Hele Kõrve was born Hele Kõre in 1980 in the town of Jõgeva, in Jõgeva County. She graduat ...
(2019), and
Kaspar Velberg Kaspar Velberg (born 29 January 1989) is an Estonian stage, television, film and voice actor. After graduating from drama school in 2012, he began an engagement at the Tallinn City Theatre as a stage actor and made his film debut in a starring rol ...
(2021).


Film and television

In addition to her roles on stage, Leida Rammo had an extensive film career, appearing in over thirty feature films. Her first significant film role was that of Lisete in the 1964
Grigori Kromanov Grigori Kromanov (; 8 March 1926 in Tallinn – 18 July 1984 in Lahe, Lääne-Viru County, Lahe, Lääne-Virumaa) was an Estonian Theatre director, theatre and film director. He directed some of the best-known Estonian movies, including ''Viimne r ...
and
Jüri Müür Jüri Müür (born 7 January 1929, Tartu – 17 November 1984) is an Estonian film director, screenwriter and actor. In 1960 he graduated from Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography. Filmography * 1961: ''Ühe küla mehed'' (feature film; direct ...
-directed
Tallinnfilm Tallinnfilm () is the oldest surviving film studio in Estonia. It was founded as Estonian Culture Film in 1931, and was nationalized in 1940 after Estonia was integrated into the Soviet Union. During the first year of Soviet occcupation (1940 ...
epic-drama ''
Põrgupõhja uus Vanapagan ''Põrgupõhja uus Vanapagan'' (''The New Devil of Hellsbottom'', English release title: ''Devil with a False Passport'') is a 1964 Estonian film directed by Grigori Kromanov and Jüri Müür, and based on the 1939 novel of the same name by A. H ...
'', based on the 1939 novel of the same name by A. H. Tammsaare. Rammo, however, was initially displeased when she saw herself in film dailies and was overly-critical of her appearance and acting, but the following year accepted a smaller role in the Tallinnfilm drama ''Mäeküla piimamees'', directed by former Estonian State Theatre Institute classmate Leida Laius, and adapted from the 1916 novel of the same name by
Eduard Vilde Eduard Vilde ( – 26 December 1933) was an Estonian writer, a pioneer of critical realism in Estonian literature, and a diplomat. He was the author of classics such as ''The War in Mahtra'' and ''The Milkman from Mäeküla''. He was one of the ...
. In 1967, she appeared as Klara Kukk in the popular
Veljo Käsper Veljo Käsper (13 May 1930 Tallinn – 16 March 1982 Tallinn) was an Estonian film director and scenarist. In 1964 he graduated from Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography. Since 1960 he worked at Tallinnfilm Tallinnfilm () is the oldest surv ...
-directed Tallinnfilm comedy ''Viini postmark'' and followed with the role of Hermiine in the 1968
Kaljo Kiisk Kaljo Kiisk (3 December 1925 – 20 September 2007) was a Soviet and Estonian actor, film director, screenwriter and politician. He was best known for his roles as from Spring (1969 film), ''Spring'' (), Summer (1976 film), ''Summer'' (''Suvi'' ...
-directed Tallinnfilm historic-thriller ''Hullumeelsus''. Rammo worked steadily in films throughout the 1970s. Some notable performances of the era include the roles of Elve in the 1972 Kaljo Kiisk-directed drama ''Maaletulek'', and as Laine in the 1972
Sulev Nõmmik Sulev Nõmmik (11 January 1931, in Tallinn – 28 July 1992, in Kuressaare) was an Estonian theatre and movie director, actor, humorist and comedian. He's mostly associated with the comical character of Kärna Ärni and the related fictional villag ...
-directed comedy television film ''
Noor pensionär ''A Young Retiree'' () is a 1972 Estonian comedy film directed by Sulev Nõmmik and written by himself and Enn Vetemaa. Together with ''Viimne reliikvia'', ''Siin me oleme!'' and ''Mehed ei nuta'', ''Noor pensionär'' is one of the most influenti ...
'' for Eesti Telefilm. In 1983, she appeared in the Kaljo Kiisk-directed ''Nipernaadi'', an adaptation of
August Gailit August Gailit (9 January 1891 – 5 November 1960) was an Estonians, Estonian writer. Life Georg August Gailit was born in Lossiküla, Kuiksilla (near Sangaste Castle), Sangaste Parish (now Otepää Parish), Kreis Dorpat, Governorate of Livonia, ...
's 1928 novel ''
Toomas Nipernaadi ''Toomas Nipernaadi'' is a 1928 Estonian novel by August Gailit, as well as the (assumed) name of the novel's protagonist. It was strongly influenced by neo-romanticism. The story of the book was made into a film titled ''Nipernaadi'' in 1983. ...
''. In 1985, she appeared in the role of Anna on the
Eesti Televisioon Eesti Televisioon (ETV) () is an Estonian free-to-air television channel owned and operated by Estonian Public Broadcasting. It made its first broadcast on 19 July 1955. History Eesti Televisioon (''Estonian Television'') was launched on ...
(ETV) series ''Rudolf ja Irma'', based on the 1934 novel ''Elu ja armastus'' by A. H. Tammsaare. In 1988, she played the role of Marta Tooming in the Leida Laius-directed drama ''
Varastatud kohtumine ''Varastatud kohtumine'' (Stolen Meeting) is a 1989 Estonian drama film directed by Leida Laius. Plot Valentina Saar (Maria Klenskaja) has led a troubled life. She knows little about her parents and grew up in an orphanage. After becoming pregna ...
''. Rammo continued to appear in films throughout the 1990s, albeit often in smaller roles. Some notable performances of the era include the 1992
Lembit Ulfsak Lembit Ulfsak (4 July 1947 – 22 March 2017) was an Estonian stage and film actor. Ulfsak starred in the 2014 film Tangerines (film), ''Tangerines'' which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Best Foreign Language F ...
-directed family-comedy film ''Lammas all paremas nurgas'', the 1995
Andrew Grieve Andrew Grieve (born 28 November 1939) is a British television and film director. Grieve's credits include ''Wire in the Blood''. ''On the Black Hill (film), On the Black Hill'', the screenplay of which he also wrote, won the Golden Shell at the S ...
-directed
English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Culture, language and peoples * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England * ''English'', an Amish ter ...
and
Estonian language Estonian ( ) is a Finnic language and the official language of Estonia. It is written in the Latin script and is the first language of the majority of the country's population; it is also an official language of the European Union. Estonian is sp ...
drama ''Kirjad idast'', and the 1998 Rao Heidmets-directed family film ''Kallis härra Q'', which was an adaptation of story of the same name by children's author
Aino Pervik Aino Pervik (born 22 April 1932 in Rakvere) is an Estonian children's writer, and translator. She is "considered the bravest children's writer" in contemporary Estonia, as "she takes on difficult themes of immigration, cultural conflict, corrup ...
. Rammo's film roles continued into the 2000s and 2010s, with her last film role at age ninety-one in the 2015
Klaus Härö Klaus Härö (; born 31 March 1971 in Porvoo, Finland) is a Finnish film director. In 2004, he won Finland's State Prize for Art. Härö grew up in a Swedish-speaking Finnish family. He studied directing and attended screen writing seminars at ...
-directed
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...
-nominated historic-drama ''
Vehkleja ''The Fencer'' (, is a 2015 biographical drama film about the life of Endel Nelis, an accomplished Estonian fencer and coach. It was directed by Klaus Härö and written by Anna Heinämaa. Filming began in Estonia in late February 2014. The ...
'', starring
Märt Avandi Märt Avandi (born 26 February 1981) is an Estonian actor and comedian. Biography He is known in Estonia for his performances in TV show '' Tujurikkuja'' (2008–2015) with Ott Sepp, he got more famous and got more respected in Estonia. Avandi ...
. In her eighties and nineties, Rammo also appeared in a number of small roles or guest roles on Estonian television in the late 2000s and 2010s: the
Kanal 2 Kanal 2 is a privately owned Estonian television channel. Its literal name in English is "Channel 2". History The channel was established by Ilmar Taska. The channel started broadcasting on 1 October 1993, the first program seen on the new ...
crime series ''Kelgukoerad'' in 2007, the
TV3 Channel 3 or TV 3 may refer to: Television *Canal 3 (Burkina Faso), a commercial television channel in Burkina Faso * Canal 3 Niger, a commercial television channel in Niger * Canal 3 (Guatemala), a commercial television channel in Guatemala * Can ...
comedy-crime series ''
Kättemaksukontor ''Kättemaksukontor'' or in English ''The Vengeance Bureau'' and even ''Revenge Office'' is an Estonian comedy-crime television series. In the series, a group of women have a organization called "Kättemaksukontor". This organization helps to solv ...
'' in 2010, the TV3 comedy series '' Ment'' in 2012, and the TV3 comedy series ''
Padjaklubi ''Padjaklubi'' (English: ''The Pillow Club'') is an Estonian comedy series that debuted in 2014 and aired on the TV channel TV3 in Estonia. Written by Birk Rohelend, Martin Algus, Silvia Soro and others, it is the story of four young women with ...
'' in 2014.


Personal life and death

Leida Rammo was married to journalist Avo Lorents, who died in 1986. The couple have one child; a daughter named Kai. She was a grandmother and great-grandmother. Rammo had been an outspoken
atheist Atheism, in the broadest sense, is an absence of belief in the existence of deities. Less broadly, atheism is a rejection of the belief that any deities exist. In an even narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there no ...
since she was a young girl. Rammo's eyesight diminished in her later years and she spent much of her time reading at the library for the blind. Her daughter often kept her company and read to her as well. Rammo died of natural causes on 23 July 2020, aged 96. She was buried at Pärnamäe Cemetery in the
Pirita Pirita is one of the eight administrative districts () of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. Pirita occupies a relatively large area, but compared to other districts of Tallinn its population of 17,592 (as of 1 November 2014) is relatively small. ...
district of Tallinn on 28 July.


Legacy

In 2013, a documentary titled ''August välja'', directed by Peter Murdmaa, was released which chronicled Rammo's life. In 2014, theatre critic and scholar Eike Värk penned a biography about Leida Rammo titled ''Leida Rammo värvilised maailmad'', published by
Tänapäev Tänapäev is an Estonian publishing house established in 1999 and headquartered in Tallinn. The main subjects it publishes are translated and original fiction, history, politics, biographies and children literature. In the year 2000, Tänapà ...
.


Acknowledgements

*
Order of the White Star The Order of the White Star (; ) was instituted in 1936. The Order of the White Star is bestowed on Estonian citizens and foreigners to give recognition for services rendered to the Estonian state. Design Classes The Order of the White Star ...
, V Class (2015)


References


External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rammo, Leida 1924 births 2020 deaths Estonian stage actresses Estonian film actresses Estonian television actresses Actresses from Tallinn Recipients of the Order of the White Star, 5th Class Estonian people of Swedish descent 20th-century Estonian actresses 21st-century Estonian actresses