Voldemar Panso

Voldemar Panso (30 November 1920 – 27 December 1977) was an Estonian stage and film actor, theatre director and pedagogue.

Biography
In 1941, he graduated from Tallinn Conservatory State Stage Art School and in 1955 the Moscow State Theatre Art Institute.

1941-1950 he was an actor in the Estonian Drama Theatre. 1955-1958 he was stage director and 1970-1976 head stage director. 1957-1977 he directed Tallinn State Conservatory Stage Art Department.

He was one of the founders of the ESSR State Youth Theatre and 1965-1970 its first head stage director.

Filmography

 * Life in the Citadel (1947) as Jaan Sander
 * Vallatud kurvid (1959) as watchmaker
 * The Ambassador of the Soviet Union (1969) as minister of "neighboring country"

Awards and honors

 * Order of the Badge of Honour (1956)
 * Honored Art Worker of the Estonian SSR (1964)
 * Estonian SSR State Prize (1965)
 * People's Artist of the Estonian SSR (1968)
 * People's Artist of the USSR (1977)
 * Juhan Smuul literary award (1981; posthumous)
 * Order of the Red Banner of Labour