 In 1968 he enrolled at the Tallinn University of Technology, majoring in energetics, graduating in 1972.Afterward, he enrolled in the Performing Arts Department of the Tallinn Conservatory (now the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre), studying acting under instruction of actor and theatre pedagogue Voldemar Panso, graduating in 1972.Among his graduating classmates were Kersti Kreismann, Ivo Eensalu, Vello Janson, Rein Kotkas, Helle Meri ("née" Pihlak), Katrin Kumpan, Martin Veinmann, and Juhan Viiding.