Risto Mäkelä was born on January 14, 1924 in Raahe, Finland as Risto Väinö Kaleva Mäkelä. He was an actor, known for Kaasua, komisario Palmu! (1961), Hän varasti elämän (1962) and Jeppe Niilonpoika eli Talonpojan ihmeelliset seikkailut (1960). He was married to Ritva Ahonen and Onerva Anna-Liisa Keskinen.