Career
He is best remembered for his role as a detective Kokki in Matti Kassila"s Komisario Palmu films and as a parrot G. Pula-aho in Spede Pasanen"s radio programs. Jokela worked in several Finnish theatres before making his impact on films. His first major film role came in a 1954 crime comedy Kovanaama, directed by Aarne Tarkas.
During the next ten years, Jokela appeared in almost all Tarkas films, in bigger or smaller parts.
Besides acting, he also worked occasionally as a make-up artist. In 1960, Jokela appeared as a detective Kokki in Matti Kassila film Komisario Palmun erehdys.
A scene in which he sings a song Silmät tummat kuin yö has since become his signature moment in film. Jokela subsequently reprised this role in three more Komisario Palmu films.
Kaasua, komisario Palmu! (1961), Tähdet kertovat, komisario Palmu (1962) and Vodkaa, komisario Palmu (1969).
Leo Jokela was married twice, first to Eila Sillantie (1947–1952) and then to Marja-Terttu Vainio, from 1957 until his death in 1975. Jokela was known as a heavy drinker, and the cause of his death at the age of 48 was cirrhosis of the liver. One of his dearest hobbies was knitting.