Born in 1959 in Rauma, Finland, Jorma Tommila embarked on a life journey that would be shaped by the untimely loss of his father, whose injuries sustained during World War II would forever alter the course of his family's life.
Following his father's passing, Tommila and his mother, as well as his older sister Kielo, who would also go on to pursue a career in acting, would relocate to Kiukainen, where they would grow up together.
Tommila's family life would be marked by a strong sense of female influence, with his mother and sister serving as primary caregivers and role models.
As he grew older, Tommila would meet and marry actress Ida Helander-Tommila, who is none other than the sister of renowned director Jalmari Helander.
Together, the couple would welcome a son, Onni Tommila, who would follow in his father's footsteps and pursue a career in acting, making him the third generation of Tommila's to don the mantle of thespian.
Through his personal life, Jorma Tommila has been surrounded by the artistic community, with his family members playing a significant role in shaping his trajectory as an actor.
Tommila's professional journey commenced in 1987, when he was part of the inaugural cohort at the esteemed Helsinki Theatre Academy. It was during this formative period that he, along with a small group of like-minded individuals, co-founded God's Theater, a pioneering Finnish theater collective renowned for its innovative and unconventional approach to stage art.
The group's performances, which often pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable, typically featured a range of provocative elements, including full frontal nudity, the strategic deployment of fire extinguishers, and the deliberate tossing of faeces into the audience. This unapologetic and avant-garde style, though undoubtedly bold and attention-grabbing, ultimately led to the arrest, fining, and issuance of suspended prison sentences to the group's four founding members, including Tommila.
Furthermore, the group's unconventional methods also resulted in their expulsion from the college, sparking widespread protests among their fellow students.
Tommila received the prestigious Jussi Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in 1997, specifically for his remarkable portrayal in the cinematic masterpiece "The Christmas Party", which was masterfully directed by the esteemed Jari Halonen, a fellow co-founder of God's Theater.
Tommila's most recent notable role is that of Aatami Korpi, a character he portrayed in the 2022 film Sisu, a Lapland-set action film boasting a budget of six million euros. This cinematic endeavor has garnered significant attention, with Korpi's character being likened to the iconic figures of Rambo and John Wick, and Tommila himself being hailed as a "new action cinema icon". The story follows Korpi, a former commando and gold prospector, as he employs his impressive skills to reclaim his stolen gold from the grasp of Nazi soldiers. Tommila's outstanding performance in this role earned him the prestigious award for best actor at the 2022 Sitges Film Festival.
