Mihkel Raud

{{Short description|Estonian writer, TV personality, guitarist and journalist}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Mihkel Raud | image = File:RK Mihkel Raud.jpg | alt = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1969|1|18}} | birth_place = Tallinn, then part of Estonian SSR, Soviet Union | other_names = | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = Writer, music artist | known_for = | notable_works = | spouse = | children = | relatives = | website = {{URL|mihkelraud.ee}} }}

'''Mihkel Raud''' (born 18 January 1969) is an Estonian writer, music artist, actor, and a former member of the Estonian parliament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.draamamaa.ee/playwrights/mihkel-raud/|title=Mihkel Raud}} draamamaa.ee</ref> He is best known for his book ''Musta pori näkku''<ref name="bdyf"/> and as a former host of an Estonian talk show on TV3.<ref name="tvestonia"/>

==Personal life== {{BLP unreferenced section|date=June 2025}} Mihkel Raud was born the middle of three siblings to children's authors Eno Raud and Aino Raud (''née'' Pervik). His grandfather was playwright, poet and writer Mart Raud. His older brother is scholar and author Rein Raud and his younger sister is artist Piret Raud.

==Career== Mihkel Raud began his career as a child actor. In 1981, he played the role of Tõnn in the Helle Murdmaa-directed musical-family feature film ''Nukitsamees'', based on the 1920 children's story of the same name by Oskar Luts. The same year, he appeared as Riho in the Raivo Trass-directed television film ''Keskpäev'', based on the 1972 trilogy ''Lugu lendavate taldrikutega'' penned by his father.<ref>[http://www.efis.ee/et/inimesed/id/2634/ Eesti filmi andmebaas] ''Mihkel Raud''. Retrieved 7 August 2018.</ref>

In addition to his interest in literature and music, Raud was a member in 2015, of the Cultural Affairs Committee and European Union Affairs Committee of Riigikogu, the Estonian parliament.<ref name="ERR">{{cite web|url=http://news.err.ee/v/news/20b49089-8b96-4fd1-a294-ca37359b06f8/mihkel-raud-leaves-politics |title=Mihkel Raud leaves politics |publisher=ERR |date=7 June 2016 |accessdate=7 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riigikogu.ee/en/parliament-of-estonia/composition/members-riigikogu/saadik/40521bc5-281e-4d9b-a56d-f99be029ecaf/Mihkel-Raud/|title=Members of the Riigikogu: Mihkel Raud}}</ref> On 7 June 2016, Raud announced that he would leave politics and focus on his TV3 talkshow.<ref name="ERR"/> Raud was also host of the Estonian TV show ''Seitse Vaprat'' aired on Eesti Televisioon, the local weekly talk show on TV3,<ref name="tvestonia">{{cite web|url=http://publik.delfi.ee/news/inimesed/mihkel-raud-lahkus-raadio-2-st?id=5943982|title=Mihkel Raud turned from Radio 2 | publisher=Publik | language=et | date=3 July 2003 | accessdate=18 December 2016}}</ref> a contributor to the local radio industry and member of the Board of the Estonian Public Broadcasting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://poliitika.postimees.ee/3203195/riigikogu-nimetas-noukogudesse-saadikutest-liikmed|title=The Riigikogu appointed members of the councils of deputies}}Postimees Politics. Retrieved 26 May 2015</ref><ref name="tvestonia" /> Recently, he has been member of the jury of ''Eesti otsib superstaari'', a local version of ''Pop Idol''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sirp.ee/s1-artiklid/c8-meedia/taeie-rauaga-kolmeraudse-kuues-hooaeg|title=Full Throttle? "Three Iron" sixth season}}Sirp. Retrieved 23 May 2013</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.postimees.ee/3039031/the-stinging-split-in-estonian-media|title=The stinging split in Estonian media}}Postimees in English. Retrieved 29 December 2014</ref>

===Writing===

During his career, Raud published ''How To Build A Music Web Site That Sells'' in 2003 and later in 2008, an autobiography titled ''Musta pori näkku'' (Black Dirt in Your Face).<ref name="bdyf">{{cite web|url=http://www.rahvaraamat.ee/p/musta-pori-n%C3%A4kku/421133/et?isbn=9789985991862|title=BLACK SPRAY-FACE}}</ref> Then, in 2010, he wrote a novel titled ''Sinine on sinu taevas'' (Blue is Your Sky).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rahvaraamat.ee/p/sinine-on-sinu-taevas/422512/et?isbn=9789949189878|title=SININE ON SINU TAEVAS}}</ref> Later in 2012, Raud wrote a stage play titled ''American Monkey'' performed worldwide including in the United States, Finland and Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/st-petersburg/article/freeFall-Theatre-Presents-World-Premiere-of-New-Comedy-AMERICAN-MONKEY-315-30-20140314#|title=freeFall Theatre Presents World Premiere of New Comedy AMERICAN MONKEY, 3/15-30}}Broadway World.com. Retrieved 15 March 2014</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/stage/review-american-monkey-at-freefall-is-a-squirmy-intense-experience/2170604/|title=Review: 'American Monkey' at Freefall is a squirmy, intense experience}}Stephanie Hayes, Art and Entertainment Editor, Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 17 March 2014</ref>

===Music===

Raud is best known in Estonia as a musician who played as a guitarist, a singer-songwriter in several local bands including Golem, Metallist, Ba-Bach, Singer Vinger,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pluss.parnupostimees.ee/430171/singer-vinger-toestab-et-on-jatkuvalt-arkvel|title=Singer Vinger proves that it continues to stay awake}}Andris Tammela, Pornu Postimees. Retrieved 6 May 2011</ref> Mr. Lawrence,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rada7.ee/teema/23337|title=Mr Lawrence 1990–1999}}Rada7</ref> and Lenna.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ajakirimuusika.ee/#!mihkel-raud-eesti-muusika-ei-ole-kunagi/cyxp|title=Mihkel Raud: Estonian music has never been so well lived}}Margus Wound, Muusika</ref> In 2002, he produced a medieval Black Sabbath tribute album ''Sabbatum'', a collection of classic Sabbath tracks performed in Latin by medieval music band Rondellus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenmanreview.com/cd/cd_sabbatum.html|title=Rondellus, Sabbatum (Beg the Bug Records, 2002)Maria Nutick, the Green man review}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Mihkel Raud}} * [http://www.mihkelraud.ee/ Mihkel Raud]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Raud, Mihkel}} Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:Estonian male writers Category:Estonian guitarists Category:Musicians from Tallinn Category:Social Democratic Party (Estonia) politicians Category:Politicians from Tallinn Category:Writers from Tallinn Category:Estonian male child actors Category:Estonian male television actors Category:Estonian male film actors Category:20th-century Estonian male singers Category:21st-century Estonian male singers Category:Members of the Riigikogu, 2015–2019