Esa Pakarinen Jr., a Finnish actor, died on February 12, 2026, at the age of 78.
Born in Varkaus on December 12, 1947, he worked as an actor, comedian, director and puppeteer from 1977 to 2026. After graduating from the Helsinki Theatre Academy, he worked at the City Theater of Joensuu, the City Theatre in Kotka and later the Helsinki City Theatre.
He later turned to puppet theater, and in 1989 moved back to Varkaus, where he performed his own solo puppet theater. He also studied to be a reflexologist.
Esa Pakarinen Jr. (12 December 1947 – 12 February 2026) was a Finnish actor.