Rein Aren (25 December 1927, in Tartu – 16 May 1990, in Tallinn) was an Estonian actor and ballet dancer known for his work in theatre, film, and television. He was active during the Soviet era and made significant contributions to Estonian performing arts across several decades.
Rein Aren was born on 25 December 1927 in Tartu, Estonia. He developed an early interest in the performing arts, particularly in dance and acting. From 1946 to 1949, Aren worked as a choir singer and ballet dancer at the Vanemuine Theatre, which is one of Estonia’s oldest and most prominent theatres. In 1951, he graduated from the Estonian studio of GITIS (now the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts), one of the most prestigious theatre schools in the Soviet Union.[1]
After graduating from GITIS, Aren joined the Estonian Drama Theatre in Tallinn, where he performed from 1951 until 1972. His repertoire included classical and contemporary roles, and he became known for his versatility on stage.
From 1973 to 1979, he was part of the Russian Theatre in Tallinn (Tallinna Vene Teater), where he acted in productions aimed at Russian-speaking audiences. He returned to the Estonian Drama Theatre in 1979, continuing his career there until his death.[2]
Rein Aren appeared in several Estonian and Soviet films, often portraying character roles that demonstrated his depth as an actor. While his filmography is not widely known internationally, he contributed to the cultural landscape of Estonian cinema during a formative period. Some of the films he featured in include:
Rein Aren was the older brother of Väino Aren, a well-known ballet dancer and actor in Estonia. The Aren brothers were both influential figures in the Estonian performing arts scene.[3]
Although not as internationally known, Rein Aren is remembered in Estonia as a dedicated stage performer and contributor to the country’s cultural history during the Soviet era. His work at the Vanemuine, Estonian Drama Theatre, and Russian Theatre helped shape generations of Estonian theatrical performance.
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small}
