Maria Klenskaja

Maria Klenskaja (29 January 1951 – 6 January 2022) was an Estonian actress.

Early life and career
Klenskaja was born in Tartu, of Russian parentage. From 1968 until 1970, she worked in the Estonian State Youth Theatre in Tallinn as a make-up artist and in the prop department. In 1974 she graduated from the Tallinn State Conservatory's Performing Arts Department. Since 1974 she had been a contracted actress at the Estonian Drama Theatre. She was also engaged as an actress at the Vanalinnastuudio for one year, beginning in 1989.

Besides theatre roles she had also had a successful film career and has appeared on television and in radio theatre.

Personal life and death
Klenskaja was in a relationship with actor Aarne Üksküla for over thirty years, until his death in 2017. Klenskaja died on 6 January 2022, aged 70, following a prolonged illness.

Awards

 * 1986: Meritorious Artist of the Soviet Union
 * 2002: Order of the White Star, IV Class

Selected filmography

 * 1985: Naerata ometi
 * 1989: Äratus
 * 1989: Varastatud kohtumine
 * 1990: Sügis
 * 1991: Rahu tänav
 * 1995: Wikmani poisid (TV miniseries)
 * 2006: Vägev võlur
 * 2006–2007: Ohtlik lend (TV series)
 * 2006: Vana daami visiit
 * 2007: Georg
 * 2015: Vehkleja
 * 2018: Seltsimees laps
 * 2020: Vee peal