Pöysti began his career as a child actor, becoming known to the Finnish public as Olli Suominen in the "Suominen family" films. The first of these films as Suomisen perhe (1941). Pöysti was 14 years old at the time of the film. Pöysti matriculated in 1945 in the Helsinki Normal Lyceum.
From 1967 to 1974, Pöysti served as manager of the Lilla Teatern, with his current ex-wife Birgitta Ulfsson, and also acted in many roles in Swedish. During 1974–1981 he was the manager of the Tampere Workers' Theatre, and during 1981–1985 the manager of the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm. In his later career he has had many speaking roles in musical plays. He has had many roles on television, including the leading roles in the Strindberg plays Gustav III (Finnish: Kustaa III) and Erik XIV. Another performance was the title role in the stage play Galileo by Bertold Brecht, which won critical acclaim. He has also read bedtime stories in children's programs.
In addition to his stage career, Pöysti has written several books, including his own memoirs. In 2002, Pöysti chose the book Juoksuhaudantie by Kari Hotakainen as the winner of the Finlandia Prize. Pöysti has lived in Paris, but later lived in Lauttasaari, Helsinki. Pöysti's son Tom Pöysti has also acted in many film and theatre roles. In 2010, Lasse received the Concrete-Jussi for lifetime achievement (the Jussi Awards are the equivalent to the Oscars in Finland).
Filmography
Actor
2010
Avsked (TV Series) as
Svante (2010)
2010
The Venetian (TV Movie) as
Nathan Burnstein
2008
Thomas as
Thomas
2007
Maan mitta (TV Mini Series) as
Niiranen
- Kaivoksen varjot (2007) - Niiranen
- Komennus kotikylään (2007) - Niiranen
2006
Presidentit (TV Series) as
Presidentti J. K. Paasikivi / Pääministeri Paasikivi
- Suomen karjuva leijona (2006) - Presidentti J. K. Paasikivi
- Presidentti odottaa noutajaa (2006) - Pääministeri Paasikivi
2003
Operation Stella Polaris (TV Mini Series) as
Gunnar Fontell
- Episode #1.3 (2003) - Gunnar Fontell
- Episode #1.2 (2003) - Gunnar Fontell
- Episode #1.1 (2003) - Gunnar Fontell
2000
Puu kulkee (TV Movie) as
Hermunen
1999
Lapin kullan kimallus as
Konrad Planting
1998
Pala valkoista marmoria (TV Movie) as
Ossi Ahmala
1995
The Tears of Saint Peter as
The Cripple
1995
White Lies as
Lindqvist
1994
Pieniä valheita (TV Movie) as
Aaro Ramsey
1994
Kiinnisidottu (TV Mini Series) as
Mitro-eno
- Pienet, suuret ihmiset (1994) - Mitro-eno
- Vasten valoa (1994) - Mitro-eno
1994
Småstadberättelser (TV Series) as
Biskopen
- Prästen (1994) - Biskopen
1993
Pankkiherroja (TV Series) as
Kertoja
- Episode #1.9 (1993) - Kertoja
- Episode #1.8 (1993) - Kertoja
- Episode #1.7 (1993) - Kertoja
- Episode #1.6 (1993) - Kertoja
- Episode #1.5 (1993) - Kertoja
- Episode #1.4 (1993) - Kertoja
- Episode #1.3 (1993) - Kertoja
- Episode #1.2 (1993) - Kertoja
- Episode #1.1 (1993) - Kertoja
1993
Rosenbaum (TV Series) as
Erik 'Lunkan' Lundkvist
- Det sista vittnet (1993) - Erik 'Lunkan' Lundkvist
- Målbrott (1993) - Erik 'Lunkan' Lundkvist
- Bländverk (1993) - Erik 'Lunkan' Lundkvist
1993
Macklean (TV Mini Series) as
Carl August Ehrensvärd
- Episode #1.2 (1993) - Carl August Ehrensvärd
- Episode #1.1 (1993) - Carl August Ehrensvärd
1992
Mestari as
Kalevi Suomalainen
1990
Mollen löytötavaraa (TV Series) as
Kertoja
- Soittelijapoika (1990) - Kertoja (voice)
1990
Viiniä, kirjoitusta (TV Movie) as
Vanha mies
1990
Runot yötä vasten (TV Series) as
Esitys
1989
Kukunor (Short) as
Vuoriukko
1989
Tjurens år (TV Movie) as
Onkel Jegor
1989
Dårfinkar & dönickar (TV Mini Series) as
Morfar
- Avsnitt 6 (1989) - Morfar
- Avsnitt 5 (1989) - Morfar
- Avsnitt 4 (1989) - Morfar
- Avsnitt 3 (1989) - Morfar
- Avsnitt 2 (1989) - Morfar
1988
J.K. Paasikivi (TV Series) as
J.K. Paasikivi
1988
The Glory and Misery of Human Life as
Martti Hongisto
1987
Joulukalenteri (TV Series) as
Professori Oskar Pänttälä
- Episode #1.2 (1987) - Professori Oskar Pänttälä
- Episode #1.1 (1987)
1987
Beyond the Law as
2. oikeuden puh. joht.
1986
Maailman paras (TV Movie) as
Paavo Nurmi
1986
Näkemiin, hyvästi as
Lauri Valve, Tuulan isä
1986
A Matter of Life and Death as
Sångare i tunnelbanan
1986
Kuningas lähtee Ranskaan as
The Stablemaster
1986
Nukkekaappi (TV Movie) as
Erik
1986
The Blessed Ones (TV Movie) as
Dr. Dettow
1985
Uskottu mies (TV Mini Series) as
Kertoja
- Osa 4 (1985) - Kertoja (voice)
- Osa 3 (1985) - Kertoja (voice)
- Osa 2 (1985) - Kertoja (voice)
- Osa 1 (1985) - Kertoja (voice)
1984
Dirty Story as
Private detective
1984
Klaani: Tarina Sammakoitten suvusta as
Siilipää
1983
Hustruskolan (TV Movie) as
Chrysalde
1983
Mäster Olof (TV Mini Series)
1982
The Flight of the Eagle as
Photographer
1980
Det blir jul på Möllegården (TV Series) as
Pixie
1980
Barna från Blåsjöfjället as
Lasso-Lassi
1979
Herr Puntila and His Servant Matti as
Johannes Puntila
1979
Sulka (TV Movie) as
Jack
1979
Linus eller Tegelhusets hemlighet as
Antique Dealer
1978
Filifjonkan som trodde på katastrofer (TV Movie) as
Berättare
1978
The Adventures of Picasso as
Sirkka's Father (uncredited)
1976
The Holy family as
Paavo Mäkinen
1976
Oma koti kullan kallis (TV Movie)
1973
Rakennetaan sauna (TV Movie) as
Paavolainen
1969
Mumintrollet (TV Series) as
Mumintrollet
1968
Punahilkka as
Matti - airline pilot
1968
Papin päivä (TV Movie) as
Pappi
1968
Venetsian kauppias (TV Movie) as
Shylock
1968
Mies elää (TV Movie) as
Timo Malva
1967
Päivä lepokodissa (TV Movie) as
Ovenvartija
1967
Aura ja tähdet (TV Movie) as
Fluther Good
1967
Agamemnon (TV Movie) as
Kuoron johtaja
1966
Konttoristit (TV Movie) as
Paul Cunningham
1966
Täyttyneiden toiveiden maa (TV Movie) as
Tuntematon taiteilija ja runoilija
1966
Juhlat linnassa (TV Movie) as
Kaksoisveli Horace / Kaksoisveli Frédéric
1966
Hyviä ihmisiä (TV Movie) as
Jonah Goodman
1966
Ihmisvihaaja (TV Movie) as
Alceste
1966
My Sister My Love as
Guest at the tavern
1966
Pallo (TV Movie) as
Konsta
1966
Tragiker mot sin vilja (TV Movie) as
Ivan Ivanovitsch
1965
Ariadne (TV Movie)
1965
Ruma Elsa (TV Movie) as
Taavi Harjula - Professori
1965
Ketunpesä (TV Movie) as
Kalle Piitulainen
1965
Tohvelisankarin rouva (TV Movie) as
Aadolf, virasta erotettu metsäherra
1965
Erik XIV (TV Movie) as
Erik XIV
1965
Teekutsut (TV Movie) as
Willy
1965
Pikakäynti (TV Movie) as
Hubert
1965
Eläintarhatarina (TV Movie) as
Peter
1965
Huone vuokrattavana (TV Short) as
Mies
1965
Osteri ja helmi (TV Movie) as
Harry van Dusen - Parturi
1964
Kuukausi maalla (TV Movie) as
Mihail Aleksandrovits Rakitin, perheystävä
1964
Meidän herramme muurahaisia (TV Mini Series) as
Konstaapeli Metso
- III osa (1964) - Konstaapeli Metso
- I osa (1964) - Konstaapeli Metso
1964
Pyörteitä (TV Movie) as
Vankilanjohtaja
1964
Ta hand om Amelie (TV Movie) as
von Putzeborn
1964
Rakastaja (TV Movie) as
Richard
1964
Mikumärdissä on kesä (TV Movie) as
Jüri Tomusk, Mikumärdin torppari
1964
Swedish Wedding Night as
Peddler
1964
Kaikki vorot eivät tule varkaisiin (TV Movie) as
Varas
1964
Italialainen olkihattu (TV Movie) as
Fadinard, koroillaaneläjä
1964
Kustaa III (TV Movie) as
Kustaa III
1963
Niin on - jos siltä näyttää (TV Movie) as
Lamberto Laudisi
1963
Syntipukki (TV Series) as
Koikkalainen
- Episode #1.4 (1963) - Koikkalainen
- Kolmas osa (1963) - Koikkalainen
- Toinen osa (1963) - Koikkalainen
- Ensimmäinen osa (1963) - Koikkalainen
1963
Trasiga änglar (TV Movie) as
Joseph
1962
Måsar över Sorrento (TV Movie) as
Matros Badger
1962
Staden (TV Movie) as
Pumpan
1962
Ett pund kontant (TV Movie) as
Jerry
1962
Parkbänk (TV Movie)
1961
Murhakopla (TV Movie) as
Ministeri Spillenburg
1960
Justus järjestää kaiken as
Justus
1959
Taas tapaamme Suomisen perheen as
Olli Suominen
1958
Sotapojan heilat as
Alokas Esko Puustinen
1958
Asessorin naishuolet as
Veikko Pajukivi
1957
Mallasjuoma (Short)
1957
Syntipukki as
Frans Koikkalainen
1957
Vääpelin kauhu as
Jaska
1955
The Wild North as
Kapakkapianisti
1955
Miss Eurooppaa metsästämässä as
Antero W. Lintunen
1955
Sankarialokas as
Esko Sirola / Tom Smith / Tim MacDonald
1955
Näkemiin Helena as
Lennu
1954
Putkinotko as
Malakias
1954
Laivaston monnit maissa as
Maisteri Segerstråhle
1954
Kovanaama as
Esko Pekuri
1953
Miljonäärimonni as
Alokas Lasse Vihuri
1953
2 hauskaa vekkulia as
Säveltäjä Jussi Mäki
1952
Kaikkien naisten monni as
Alokas Nieminen
1951
Vihaan sinua - rakas as
Tauno Karnala
1951
Tukkijoella as
Pölhö-Kustaa
1951
Rion yö as
Lasse
1951
Kenraalin morsian as
Korpraali Jukka Oksapää
1951
Radio tekee murron as
Radioreportteri
1951
Vain laulajapoikia as
Dr. Syrjä
1950
Rakkaus on nopeampi Piiroisen pässiäkin as
Heikki Piiparinen
1950
Isäpappa ja keltanokka as
Aimo Tammela
1949
Professori Masa as
Pentti Simola
1949
Sinut minä tahdon as
Seppo Vesa
1949
Katupeilin takana as
Arvid
1949
Ruma Elsa as
Usko Aamunen
1948
Hormoonit valloillaan as
Pena
1948
Kilroy sen teki as
Pete
1948
Haaviston Leeni (uncredited)
1945
Suomisen Olli yllättää as
Olli Suominen
1944
Suomisen Olli rakastuu as
Olli Suominen
1943
Suomisen taiteilijat as
Olli Suominen
1942
Suomisen Ollin tempaus as
Olli Suominen
1941
Onnellinen ministeri as
Errand Boy (uncredited)
1941
Täysosuma as
Skier (uncredited)
1941
Suomisen perhe as
Olli Suominen
Director
1960
Justus järjestää kaiken
1959
Lasse Pöysti show (TV Series)
1959
Taas tapaamme Suomisen perheen (fill-in director - uncredited)
1958
Asessorin naishuolet
1955
Ensimmäinen suomalainen televisiolähetys (TV Movie documentary)
1955
Näkemiin Helena
1954
Kummituskievari
1953
2 hauskaa vekkulia
1952
Salakuljettajan laulu
1952
Kaikkien naisten monni
1951
...ja Helena soittaa
Writer
2000
Daphnen vanavedessä (TV Movie documentary) (planning) / (script)
1966
Etienne (TV Movie) (translation)
1960
Justus järjestää kaiken (as Lasse)
1958
Asessorin naishuolet (writer)
1957
Vääpelin kauhu (writer)
1955
Ensimmäinen suomalainen televisiolähetys (TV Movie documentary)
1955
Näkemiin Helena
1952
Kaikkien naisten monni (writer - uncredited)
1951
...ja Helena soittaa
Soundtrack
1976
The Holy family (performer: "It's a Long, Long Way to Tipperary")
1960
Justus järjestää kaiken (performer: "Kotolaulu", "Pusulaulu", "Nyrkkeilylaulu")