Biography

Hele Kõrve (until 2009, Hele Kõre; born January 7, 1980) is an Estonian stage, television, film and voice actress and singer.

Hele Kõrve was born Hele Kõre in 1980 in the town of Jõgeva, in Jõgeva County. She graduated from secondary school at the Jõgeva Gymnasium in 1998. Afterward, she studied acting at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, graduating in 2002. Among her graduating classmates were Priit Võigemast, Ott Aardam, Maria Soomets, Karin Rask, Mart Toome, Evelin Võigemast, Elisabet Reinsalu, and Argo Aadli.

Kõrve (then using her maiden name Hele Kõre) made her film debut in a starring role as Marta in the 2002 Elmo Nüganen-directed Nimed marmortahvlil (English release titles: Names in Marble and Names Engraved in Marble) opposite actors Priit Võigemast, Indrek Sammul and future husband Alo Kõrve. The film was based on the novel of the same name by author Albert Kivikas about the Estonian War of Independence. This was followed by the role of Marion in the 2005 Andrus Tuisk directed horror short film Ukse taga. Other prominent film roles include Helen Tamm in the Dirk Hoyer-directed crime-drama Võõras, starring Tanel Padar; Renita, in the 2005 René Vilbre directed crime-drama Mina olin siin (I Was Here), based on the novel of the same name by Sass Henno; and a small role in the 2011 Andres Puustusmaa-directed crime-drama Rotilõks (Rat Trap). In 2017, she appeared in the Puustusmaa directed film Rohelised kassid (Green Cats).

In 2007, she provided the singing voice for the role of Asta Ots, wife of Estonian tenor Georg Ots, in the Peeter Simm-directed biopic film Georg. Russian actress Anastasiya Makeyeva played the speaking role of Asta Ots.

Kõrve has also worked as voice actress; most notably, dubbing several foreign animated films into the Estonian language. In 2013, she provided the Estonian voice of Merida, the main character from the 2012 Disney Pixar film Brave. In 2014, she was both the speaking and singing voice of Anna in the Walt Disney Animation Studios' animated film Frozen. The film's songs "For the First Time in Forever", translated into Estonian and sang as "Esmakordselt ajameres", and "Love Is an Open Door" as "Armastus muudab kõik" were both sung by Kõrve.

In 2020, she appeared alongside her husband as the character Edith Parik in the Margus Paju directed World War II spy drama O2.