The Biography

Ülle Kaljuste (born Ülle Side; April 10, 1957) is an Estonian stage, film, television and radio actress. Born Ülle Side in Tallinn, she attended Tallinn Secondary School No. 2 (Tallinn Reaalkool), graduating in 1975. Afterward, she attended the Tallinn State Conservatory of Performing Arts Department (now, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre), under the instruction of Merle Karusoo and graduating in 1980. Graduating classmates included actors Roman Baskin, Guido Kangur, Arvo Kukumägi, Ain Lutsepp, Anne Veesaar, and Paul Poom. Ülle Kaljuste made her film debut in the 1981 Estonian television movie Onu Tik-Taki seiklused, directed by Virve Koppel. In 1985, she made her screen debut in the 1985 musical comedy Savoy Ball, directed by Ago-Endrik Kerge. In 1992 Kaljuste was cast in the role of Emma in the Mati Põldre-directed biographical drama Need vanad armastuskirjad which explored the life of Raimond Valgre, an Estonian composer of the 1930s and the 1940s. In 1990, she played the title role in the Aimée Beekman and Vladimir Beekman penned and Kaljo Kiisk directed feature film drama Regina for Tallinnfilm. She would go one to appear in numerous films and television series. From 2006 until 2009 she appeared on the Kanal 2 television series Kelgukoerad as the character Signe. In 1980, she married to conductor Tõnu Kaljuste; the couple later divorced. She currently resides in Tallinn and Laulasmaa.