Spede Pasanen
|
|
Pertti "Spede" Olavi Pasanen (Kuopio, April 10 1930 – September 7 2001 in Kirkkonummi) was a Finnish film director, humorist and practitioner of gags.
During his career he directed, wrote or produced about 50 movies and participated in numerous TV productions, including the comedy Spede Show and the game-show Speden Spelit. Much of his more commercial work was in collaboration with Vesa-Matti Loiri. He is considered emblematic of Savonian humor with a slick ironic pattern varying between the fullest extremes of understatement and hyperbole.
Noted for his intelligence, financial success and ability to draw in ladies, he is the idol of many who make attempt to break into the Finnish comedy scene. Despite being bald and skinny, he was also very good Don Juan and was almost married in 1990 to a Finnish model and Miss Finland candinate.
He was also an inventor, and many of his films include Rube Goldberg-style gadgets.
He was seen as something of a Gyro Gearloose in Finland, because he was an inventor, comician and entertainment producer.
Besides gadgets involved with industrial production, his inventions include:
- The Ski jumping sling
- A Boat ski (to alleviate *bumps* in aquaplaning boat)
- A self-extinguishing, one-size-fits-all candlestick.