Erkki Kauppinen

Erkki Tapio Kauppinen was a Finnish actor and theatre director best known for his somewhat semi-biographical role as gravel entrepreneur Asseri Kantonen in the popular Finnish television show Pirunpelto. In real life, "Eki" Kantonen was a tourism and land moving entrepreneur, who set up a heritage village called Tupaswilla in his native city of Laukaa. Kauppinen was also a famous figure in the cultural life of Laukaa. He actively took part in the activities of the local Laukaa theatre Kanavateatteri, which he helped found in 1994. Kauppinen was also a longtime member and then chairman of Kuusan Nuorisoseura, a local youth association.