Pete Lattu, the actor known as Kalle Laitelan in the Salatut Elämät series, tells Iltalehte that he received homophobic messages because of his role.
Secret lives actor of the series Pete Lattu44, has received inappropriate messages about his role over the years.
Lattu plays the homosexual Kalle Laitela in the series. Kalle coming out of the closet in 1999 is one of the most revolutionary moments in TV history. In the 1990s, there were hardly any homosexuals in Finnish series.
The actor says that even today, some people are not very tolerant of the character he plays.
– The wildest feedback has been pretty much the same: “homosexuals burn in the fire of hell” and the like, he told Iltalehte at the Salkkarei’s 25th birthday party.
Pete Lattu says that he has received very homophobic feedback about his role as Kalle. Matti Matikainen
Now Lattu is sending a message to people who have a negative attitude towards homosexuals.
– We are in a country where there is freedom of opinion. But maybe it would be appropriate to try to break free and explore a more liberal point of view, he states.
In addition to his work as an actor, Lattu lives a “pretty normal family life” in his own words. He has two children.
Lattu says that he has tried to keep his school-aged children under control and away from misdeeds. The actor admits that maintaining discipline has gone unfortunately poorly.
– I’m a fair father. Screen time should probably be limited more, he admits with a smile.
Lattu is one of the longest-serving Salkkarit actors. He played Kalle in the initial years of the series, 1999-2001, but then left Salkkarei. He returned to the role of Kalle after a 10-year hiatus.
Pete Lattu says he is a fair father. MATTI MATIKAINEN