Blixen, Karen 1885 - 1962

A writer, who published her books under synonym names – e.g. Isak Dinesen. The life of Karen Blixen is depicted in the movie 'Out of Africa' 1985, starring Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen.

Andersen, Hans Christian 1805 - 1875

The writer and poet of novels, plays, fairy tales, and poems.

Kierkegaard, Søren Aabye 1813 - 1855

A philosopher and writer. Kierkegaard is among other things known as “the father of existentialism”.

Nielsen, Connie 1965 -

Born on July 3, 1965, in Elling, Frederikshavn, Denmark, Connie Nielsen is an actress who has appeared in countless movies and tv shows including Wonder Woman, Gladiator, The Good Wife, Return to Sender, One Hour Photo, and The Devil’s Advocate. Nielsen has also starred in and served as the executive producer for the Danish mini-series, The Dreamer: Becoming Karen Blixen.

Mortensen, Viggo 1958 -

A Danish-American actor, son of a Danish father and an American mother. He is famous for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" (2001-2003), "A History of Violence" (2005), and "Captain Fantastic" (2016)

Mikkelsen, Mads 1965 -

Currently one of Denmark's most popular movie actors. He is well known from "Flickering Lights" (2000), "Casino Royale" (2006), "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016), and the TV series "Hannibal" (2013 - 2015).

Trier, Lars von 1956 -

A movie director. Lars von Trier has received recognition for his work through several awards. Some of his best known movies are: "Breaking the Waves" (1996), "Dogville" (2003), and "Antichrist", (2009).

Coster-Waldau, Nikolaj 1970 -

A Danish actor. He has stared in several Danish and American films and tv series most notably "New Amsterdam" (2008) and "Game of Thrones" (2011 - 2018). His films include "Enigma" (2001), "Mama" (2013), and "A Second Chance" (2014).

August, Bille 1948 -

Born on November 9, 1948, in Brede, Denmark, Bille August is a director, screenwriter, and cinematographer of film and television. His 1987 film Pelle the Conqueror won the Palme d’Or, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He is one of only ten directors to win the Palm d’Or twice, winning the award again in 1992 for The Best Intentions.

In 2023, Bille directed a Danish romantic comedy period drama written by his son Anders and based on a 1963 novella by Karen Blixen, Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction. Queen Margrethe II designed 51 costumes for the film, as well as 81 decoupages that made up the basis for the sets. 

Bille's other movies include The House of Spirits (1993), Smilla’s Sense of Snow (1992), Return to Sender (2004), and Marie Krøyer (2012).

Bier, Susanne 1960 -

A movie director. Won the Oscar for best foreign language film in 2011 with her movie "In a Better World".

Christensen, Jesper 1948 -

A Danish actor. Has won several awards for his performances. Is also known for playing Mr. White in the James Bond movies "Casino Royale" (2006), "Quantum of Solace" (2008), and "Spectre" (2015).

Johansson, Scarlett 1984 -

Actress. Born in New York to a Danish father and American mother. Famous for her roles in "Lost in Translation" (2003) and "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (2003), and "Avengers" (2012).

Thorvaldsen, Bertel 1770 - 1844

A Danish-Icelandic sculptor and medalist of international fame who worked in the neo-classicist style. Born to a working-class family in Copenhagen, he was accepted to the Royal Danish Academy of Art at the age of eleven. Though he spent the greater part of his life in Italy, he returned to Denmark in his later years and was the first internationally acclaimed Danish artist. The Thorvaldsen Museum was erected to house his life’s work. Among his most famous works are sculptures with motifs from Classical mythology. 

Riis, Jacob 1849 - 1914

Born in Ribe and moved to New York. Riis is most famous for his revealing photographs of the New York slums and his book "How The Other Half Lives" (1890).

Utzon, Jørn 1918 - 2008

Danish architect and designer of the Sydney Opera House in Australia.

Wiinblad, Bjørn 1918 - 2006

Famous Danish painter, designer, and artist in ceramics. Was appointed chief designer of the German brand Rosenthal in 1957. He is known for his highly recognizable style, which often features colorful and decorative imagery.

Jensen, Jens 1860 - 1951

Landscape architect and Danish immigrant. He designed elements of the Chicago Park system and worked with Frank Lloyd Wright. Jensen pioneered “the prairie school” of landscape architecture that focused attention on using native plantings to emulate natural environments.

Jorn, Asgar 1914 - 1973

Danish painter and essayist. Founding member of the Situationist International and COBRA, an European avant-garde movement, active from 1949-1952.

Nielsen, Brigitte 1963 -

Born in 1963 in Rødovre, Brigitte Nielsen became is an actress, model, presenter, and singer. She pursued modeling and later became an actor, starring in Hollywood movies such as "Red Sonja," "Rocky IV," and "Beverly Hills Cop II." She was also a part of the Danish National Team for Women’s Handball, which won the European Women’s Handball Championship in 1996.

Skriver, Josephine 1993 -

From Copenhagen, Josephine Skriver made her debut at New York Fashion Week in 2011, walking for designers like Calvin Klein, Prada, Balenciaga, Chanel, Dolce & Gabanna, and Valentina. 

Agdal, Nina 1992 -

Born in Hillerød, Denmark, Nina Agdal is known for her appearances in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, making her first appearance in 2012 as "Rookie of the Year." She has also appeared on the magazine's 50th and 60th anniversary covers.

Thomsen, Cecilie 1974 -

A fashion model who starred in 'Tomorrow Never Dies' 1997 as Inga Bergstrom.

Christensen, Helena 1968 -

A fashion model, working as one of the leading supermodels of the 1990's.

Hein, Piet 1905 - 1996

Danish scientist, designer, poet, and author. Hein is most famous for his "Grook's" books and his "Superegg."

Odbjerg, Andreas 1987 -

Andreas Odbjerg is a Danish singer and songwriter from Odense. In 2021, he won the Danish Music Awards' "New Danish Name of the Year" and "Songwriter of the Year."

Rahim, Tobias 1989 -

Tobias Rahim Secilmis Hasling is a Danish-Kurdish singer and poet from Aarhus. In 2023, Rahim's album Nårn sjælen kaster op was the most streamed album in Denmark on Spotify. 

Melchior, Lauritz 1890 - 1973

A Danish immigrant who was famous for his performances as a tenor in Wagnerian operas. Between 1944 and 1952, Melchior performed in 5 Hollywood musical films for MGM and Paramount Pictures and made numerous US television appearances.

Nielsen, Carl August 1865 - 1931

A composer. Internationally Carl Nielsen is best known for his six symphonies. Of these the best known are Symphony no. 2, 'The Four Temperaments', and 'Symphony no. 4 The Inextinguishable'.

Ruders, Poul 1949 -

Organist and composer. He has written chamber music and music for solo instruments. One of the most played and influential composers of the post war years.

Ullrich, Lars 1963 -

The drummer of the Heavy Metal band Metallica.

Redzepi, Rene 1977 -

Chef and co-founder of the Copenhagen restaurant 'Noma'. Noma was listed by Restaurant Magazine as the best restaurant in the world. The name Noma is a contraction of the words "nordisk" (Nordic) and "mad" (food).

Møller, Arnold Peter 1876 - 1965

Founder of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, known as Mærsk, in 1904. Mærsk is the largest shipping company in the world.

McKinney Møller, Arnold Mærsk 1913 - 2012

Son of Arnold Peter Møller. McKinney Møller was the chairman and CEO between 1965 and 1993. McKinney Møller was the first non-American member of the board of IBM between 1970 and 1984.

William S. Knudsen 1879 - 1948

A leading automotive industry executive and an American general during World War II.

Christiansen, Ole Kirk 1891 - 1958

Founder of LEGO. LEGO is a short name for "leg godt" (play well).

Clausen, Jørgen M. 1948 -

The Danfoss Group's President and CEO between 1996 and 2011. The Danfoss Group is a global producer of components and solutions for refrigeration and air, heating and water, and motion controls.

Rasmussen, Knud 1879 - 1933

Greenlandic polar explorer and anthropologist. The first to cross the Northwest Passage via dog sled.

Bering, Vitus 1681 - 1741

Explorer. The first person to sail through the Bering Strait (1728) thus proving that the American and Asien continents are separate.

Steensen, Niels 1638 - 1686

A pioneer in both anatomy and geology, Niels Steensen's work on the formation of rock layers and the fossils they contain was crucial to the development of modern geology and modern stratigraphy. Becoming a Catholic bishop in his later years, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1988. 

Ørsted, Hans Christian 1777 - 1851

A physicist who discovered electron magnetism and aluminum.

Bohr, Niels Henrik David 1885 - 1965

A physicist. Bohr received the Nobel Prize in physics in 1922 for his services in the investigation of the structure of atoms and of the radiation emanating from them.

Brahe, Tycho 1546 - 1601

An astronomer and scientist who has had a great influence on the development of astronomy and science in general.

Magnussen, Kevin 1992 -

Born on October 5, 1992, in Roskilde, Denmark, Kevin Jan Magnussen is a racing driver, currently competing in Formula One for Haas. At the 2014 Australian Grand Prix, Magnussen finished in the top-three, becoming the first Dane to claim a podium in F1. 

Riis, Bjarne 1964 -

Retired cyclist, won the Tour de France in 1996, and is now the owner of cycling team Saxobank-Sungard.

Wozniacki, Caroline 1990 -

Professional tennis player.

Andersen, Morten 1960 -

Morten Andersen was an NFL kicker, starting his career in 1981 at Michigan College. He retired in 2008.

Bjørn, Thomas 1971 -

Golfer, he is one of the most successful Danish golfer with 14 worldwide wins.

Carstensen, Jacob 1978 -

A swimmer who won the world title in the 400m freestyle at the 1997 FINA Short Course World Championships.

Friis, Lotte 1988 -

In 2009 won Friis the World Champions in 800m freestyle.

Jacobsen, Mette 1973 -

A championships swimmer. World champion in 1995, 1999, and 2000. Her specialties are backstroke and butterfly.

Kristensen, Tom 1967 -

Racing driver, most famous for his 8 wins in the 24 hours Le Mans.

Laudrup, Brian 1969 -

A retired professional soccer player. Was named by 'Pele' as two of the top 125 greatest living soccer players. Laudrup played on several top teams in Europe.

Laudrup, Michael 1964 -

A retired professional soccer player who played on some of the top teams throughout Europe, Juventus in Italy and Barcelona in Spain.