Leila Säälik

Leila Säälik, born on December 4, 1941, in Tallinn, Estonia, is a distinguished actress known for her impressive contributions to stage, film, and radio. Growing up in a family where her father worked as a machinist and her mother as a seamstress, Säälik completed her primary and secondary education in Tallinn, graduating from Tallinn 7th Secondary School in 1960. She furthered her studies at the Viljandi Cultural School, now recognized as the University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy, where she graduated in 1963.

Säälik made her cinematic debut in the 1971 drama "Tuuline rand," directed by Kaljo Kiisk, which was based on Adu Hint’s novel. In 1973, she starred as Reet in "Maaletulek," also directed by Kiisk, before shifting her focus predominantly to theater. Her next film appearance came nearly two decades later in the short film "Teenijanna" (1990), directed by Veiko Jürisson.

Her return to film in 2006 as Mathilde III in "Vana daami visiit" marked a significant comeback. Säälik garnered attention for her role in Ilmar Raag's acclaimed film "Klass" (2007), which explored the harrowing themes of bullying and school violence. The film received multiple accolades and was Estonia's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 80th Academy Awards. Säälik reprised her role in the follow-up mini-series "Klass: Elu pärast" in 2010.

In addition, since 2010, she has portrayed Maimu Laurand, a formidable mother-in-law, in the popular Kanal 2 series "Pilvede all," which has won three Estonian Entertainment Awards. Säälik has also lent her voice to various radio theater productions, including a notable 1975 performance in Inge Trikkel's "Öö