Leonhard Merzin
# Leonhard Merzin

Leonhard Merzin (10 February 1934 in Aruküla, Kudina Parish (now Maardla, Mustvee Parish) – 2 January 1990 in Tartu) was an Estonian theatre and film actor, one of the Estonian actors active in the Soviet Union and abroad. He played in more than 50 films. His most notable role in Estonia is "Teacher Laur" in Spring (Kevade) and as Edgar in Soviet Union adaption of King Lear (Korol Lir).

## Biography

From 1952 to 1954 Merzin studied at the Tartu Art School and in 1969 he graduated from the Viljandi School of Cultural Education.

Merzin also tried hand as a painter, mostly depicting nature and flowers.

He is buried at the Raadi cemetery in Tartu.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| - | - | - | - |
| 1965 | Külmale maale | Väljaotsa Jaan | |
| 1968 | Inimesed sõdurisinelis | Mänd | |
| 1968 | Dead Season | Father Mortimer | |
| 1968 | Libahunt | Jass | |
| 1969 | Hullumeelsus | Kristus | Uncredited |
| 1969 | The Gladiators | Laar | |
| 1969 | Spring | Laur | |
| 1970 | King Lear | Edgar | |
| 1971 | Risk | Kurtz | |
| 1972 | Back to Life | Arno | |
| 1972 | In the Black Sands | Peltin | |
| 1973 | Maaletulek | Mart | |
| 1973 | Dmitry Kantemir | Russet | |
| 1973 | Racers | Bruno Lorenz | |
| 1973 | Identification | Peter | |
| 1974 | Dangerous Games | 2241 | |
| 1975 | The Balloonist | Charles Rigaut | |
| 1975 | Diamonds for the Dictatorship of the Proletariat | Auguste | |
| 1976 | Trust | Jukka Rahja | |
| 1977 | Waiting for Me on Earth | Colonel Belousov | |
| 1979 | Special Forces | Ozyoryn | |
| 1981 | I Do Not Guarantee Personal Safety... | Yevgeniy Krakovskiy | |
| 1986 | Race of the Century | Donald Crowhurst | (final film role) |
