Jorma Olavi “Jope” Ruonansuu was a Finnish actor, impressionist, musician, and comedian who began his career as an imitator at age sixteen, appearing on Klaus Thomasson’s Klaustrofobia in the 1980s. In 1988, he released his debut studio album Matkiva Kulkuri through EMI Finland, and his breakthrough came via local radio with the comedy program Elvis-Osasto, which gained national popularity and led to the gold-certified albums Jope Ruonansuu Ja Elvis-Osasto and Täällä Washington, both released in 1992. In addition to music, he had a significant acting career in film and television. He won the Best Performer Venla award in 2010. Diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2018, he retired from public appearances and died July 18, 2020 at the age of 56.
