Merle Talvik

Merle Talvik
Born (1954-06-06) 6 June 1954 (age 70)
Tallinn, Estonia
NationalityEstonian
OccupationActress
Years active1973–present
SpouseMargus Kappel (divorced)
Children1

Merle Talvik (born 6 June 1954)[1] is an Estonian stage, film and television actress whose career began in the mid-1970s.

Early life and education

Merle Talvik was born in Tallinn to Herbert and Asta Talvik (née Tomson). She attended primary and secondary schools in Tallinn and in 1973, at age nineteen, began performing as part of an ensemble cast with the Viru Varietee; a variety show established at Tallinn's Viru Hotel. She then enrolled at the Tallinn State Conservatory (now, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre), graduating in 1978.[2][3]

Career

Stage

Following her graduation from the Tallinn State Conservatory, Talvik began a year-long engagement as a stage actress at the Vanemuine theatre in Tartu. Talvik then spent over twenty years with the Vanalinnastuudio in Tallinn, performing in over fifty stage roles.[4]

Film

Talvik's first significant film role was as Tonya in the 1977 Russian language film The Sun, the Sun Again, directed by Svetlana Druzhinina for Mosfilm. The following year, she appeared in her first Estonian film, Reigi õpetaja, directed by Jüri Müür. In 1981, she had a starring role as Katrina Leet in the Arvo Kruusement-directed drama Karge meri, based on the 1938 novel of the same name by author August Gailit. In 1983, she appeared as Krista Tammet in a leading role in the Dmitri Svetozarov-directed Russian-language Lenfilm drama Speed.[5][6]

Other film roles include Daisy in the 1985 Ago-Endrik Kerge-directed Tallinnfilm musical-drama Savoy Ball and smaller roles in the 1980 Kaljo Kiisk-directed drama Metskannikesed; the 1987 Lembit Ulfsak-directed comedy-drama Keskea rõõmud; the 1990 Kaljo Kiisk-directed drama Regina, based on the 1978 novel Valikuvõimalus by Aimée Beekman; and in the 2009 Hannu Salonen-directed crime-drama Vasha.[7]

Television

In addition to stage and film roles, Talvik has frequently appeared on Estonian television. In 1981, she appeared as Ilga in the seven-part Aloizs Brenčs-directed Latvian language television melodrama miniseries Ilgais ceļš kāpās. In 1982, she had a starring role in the Leo Karpin-directed television comedy film Teisikud opposite singer Jaak Joala, which was subsequently released theatrically.[8] From 1994 until 1996, she had a recurring role as Helgi in the popular, long-running Eesti Televisioon (ETV) drama Õnne 13. In 2002, she played the role of Valentina on the TV3 series Nurjatud tüdrukud. From 2012 until 2016, she played a recurring role as Tiiu Pärn on the TV3 comedy-crime series Kättemaksukontor. From 2013, she has played the role of Maria on the Kanal 2 comedy-drama series Naabriplika.[9]

In 2024, she began appearing in the role of Helgi in the Ergo Kuld directed TV3 drama Valetamisklubi.[10]

Personal life

Merle Talvik has been married twice.[11] Her second husband was musician Margus Kappel. The couple have a son, Karl Olaf, and later divorced.[12][13]

References

  1. ^ Postimees Merle Talvik: elagem endale! 1 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  2. ^ Õhtuleht Merle Talvik: "Eluvaim püsis sees veel ainult tänu suvila aiale." 16 April 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  3. ^ Postimees Merle Talvik: elagem endale! 1 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  4. ^ Postimees Merle Talvik: elagem endale! 1 June 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  5. ^ Eesti filmi andmebass Merle Talvik. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  6. ^ Õhtuleht Merle Talvik - vapper eesti naine, keda raskused ei murra 17 April 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  7. ^ Eesti filmi andmebass Merle Talvik. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  8. ^ Õhtuleht Näitelavalt tõrjutud Merle Talvik pühendub õmblemisele 24 April 2001. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  9. ^ kava.ee Naabriplika. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  10. ^ "Täna stardib uus sari "Valetamisklubi"! Vaata, kes käisid esitlusel!". sky.ee (in Estonian). 12 March 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  11. ^ Õhtuleht Merle Talvik: hing igatseb ta järele 26 September 2014. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  12. ^ Őhtuleht Elab oma elu meheta 16 April 2010. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  13. ^ Õhtuleht Merle Talvik - vapper eesti naine, keda raskused ei murra 17 April 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2018.