Finn-tastic! 13 celebrities you didn’t know are Finnish Americans
Finnish Americans make up just a tiny slice of the American population at only 0.2%. Yet many talented celebrities and influential Americans claim Finnish heritage. This list rounds up famous Finnish Americans who have made their mark on US culture.
Two babies born the same Tuesday morning, one in Helsinki and one in Columbus, Ohio. We followed the money for both of them.
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Politician and signer of the Declaration of Independence John Morton was one of the first famous Finns in the United States. His grandfather was Martti Marttinen, an immigrant from Rautalampi. Marttinen was among the settlers of New Sweden, the colony that brought the first Finns to the US.
Marissa Mayer
Marissa Mayer, the former president and CEO of Yahoo, was born in Wisconsin. She has Finnish ancestry on her mother’s side. Mayer grew up surrounded by her mother’s colorful Marimekko pieces. She credits these designs with influencing her work on the Google interface earlier in her career.
Eero Saarinen
One of the most recognizable American landmarks was designed by a Finn. Eero Saarinen was born in Kirkkonummi and immigrated to Michigan as a teenager. Known for his neofuturistic style, he became an iconic architect. His works include the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Dulles Airport in Washington D.C. and the redesign of the Swedish Theater in Helsinki.
Pamela Anderson
Actress and activist Pamela Anderson is a dual citizen of Canada and the US. She is one of Hollywood’s most well known Finns. Her great grandfather Juho Hyytiäinen was from Saarijärvi. He changed his surname to Anderson after immigrating to Canada in the early 1900s.
Matt Damon
Academy Award winning actor Matt Damon has Finnish and Swedish ancestry through his mother, Nancy Carlsson-Paige. Her family surname was originally Pajari.
Many Finnish Americans share a certain understated persistence. Finns call it sisu. It is a quiet refusal to give up. This quality carried Finnish immigrants through the mines and forests of the Midwest. It kept sauna traditions and Finnish expressions alive across generations.
Jessica Lange
Jessica Lange is widely considered one of Hollywood’s best actresses. Her grandfather George Ilmar Sahlman was originally from Finland.
David Lynch
Surrealist director David Lynch has Finnish ancestry from his great grandmother. Her surname was Sundholm. She was Swedish-Finnish and immigrated to the United States via Finland.
Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams was the first African American winner of Miss America. She discovered she was 12% Finnish after taking a DNA test for the TV series Who Do You Think You Are. She expressed surprise at the result and noted an interest in visiting Finland.
Vampira
Vampira was TV’s first horror hostess. The character was created by Maila Nurmi. Nurmi was born in Petsamo and moved to Ohio at age two. She faced various controversies during her career, including claims about her relationship to runner Paavo Nurmi and legal disputes regarding the character Elvira.
Dave Mustaine
Dave Mustaine is the singer of Megadeth and a former member of Metallica. He has Finnish roots.
Leslie Mann
Actress and comedian Leslie Mann has Finnish roots. Her grandmother Sadie Viola Heljä Räsänen was born to Finnish immigrants.
Mark Hoppus
Mark Hoppus of Blink-182 has stated that most of his family on his mother’s side came from Finland. He has been seen with a Finnish flag sticker on his bass guitar.
Jean M. Auel
Writer Jean Auel is best known for the Earth’s Children series. She was born in Illinois as Jean Untinen. All four of her grandparents were from Finland.
Buffalo Bill
William Fredrick Cody was a legendary figure of the Wild West. Some stories claim his grandfather was Viljami Kotilainen from Liminka. According to this version, the name was shortened to Cody in America.
Evidence from the Buffalo Bill Museum suggests these Finnish roots were a fabrication. His ancestors were likely Huguenots from the Channel Islands. The original surname was Le Caude.
Finnish Heritage in America
Finnish ancestry appears in unexpected places across American entertainment and history. To learn more about how these ancestors arrived, read China Swedes, Forest Finns and The Great Migration: How Finnish immigrants helped build America.
If one of these names has sent you digging through your own family tree, Very Finnish Problems has a corner of its shop dedicated to Finnish-Americans.
If you enjoyed this, explore more of our Finnish content: discover how Joulupukki, the Finnish Santa, went from terrifying to beloved, learn how to date a Finn, or check out 7 Finnish sayings that reveal the Finnish character. For a taste of Finland, try our guide to Finnish salmon soup (lohikeitto) or the hearty Karelian stew. You might also enjoy our guide to Finnish sauna culture.
Read Also
From tech CEOs to Hollywood legends, Finnish heritage has quietly shaped American culture. These thirteen individuals prove that the influence of Finland reaches far beyond its borders.
If this list of Finnish Americans has sparked your curiosity about Finland itself, Joel Willans’ 101 Very Finnish Problems is the perfect next read — a funny and affectionate look at what makes Finns uniquely themselves, from someone who has lived among them for years.
I had heard about most of these, but Pam Anderson surprised me…too much Sun and plastic ruined her natural Finnish beauty…too bad…I know Finnish women in their 80’s who look younger than her without any “work” or pounds of make-up.
BUT…. Did they live a life like Pam Anderson???
Probably not… Good, or Bad, is your own opinion…..
As someone who is 100% Finn… I have nothing but
KUDO’s for Pam Anderson… She’s still got it goin on….
My Uncles sister dressed like Pam from her Baywatch days .. did her whole life… Bleached Blond hair, red nails, tight pants/skirts/sweaters, low cut /lots of Cleavage… etc…. and she still does at 90.. Compared to my conservative “Old Fashioned” parents and aunts/uncles.. she was considered “Scandalous”. She’s always been the STAR in our family to ME !!!
Vegas Dude = creepy
Agree! Love her!
I didn’t know these, but should have seen it! Even Vanessa Williams has those big eyes Finnish beauties are famed for. Shows you that mixing gene pools works a treat, too.
LMAO!! Finnish people are NOT known for having big eyes. Quite the opposite. Have you not seen or heard all the memes about Finns having “Asian eyes”? It’s really a widespread stereotype online now. Google “Finngolian” (yes) and you will find countless memes and videos. Clearly people associate slanted eyes/epicanthic fold with Finns…not big eyes.
This stereotype is clear in my husband’s family. His mom is 100% Finn, so my husband is 50%. They are both about to take a SNA test, but we are quite certain based on their family tree and based on our older daughter’s DNA test. I never even heard of it (Asian eyes) till I had read your post, but I have always been fascinated by the Asian-like eye shape and the tight, smooth skin around the eyes if my husband and his mom’s people. Even our older daughter, 25% Finn (by DNA test and coinciding with her tree) is constantly asked if she is up to half Asian. People think she and her best friend are sisters or cousins — and that friend is half Korean. The two women love the confusion they cause. They also feel so complimented as each one is so blown away by the other’s beauty.
Had no idea about David Lynch. That’s kinda awesome and thinking about it his style has something of the Kaurismaki about it….with more dialogue of course :)
John Morton, alias Jaakko Marttinen, has been and is a well known finn in Finland. He was the representative of the state Pennsylvania. Among others there were nine men: ROBERT MORRIS, BENJAMIN RUSH, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, GEORGE CLYMER, JAMES SMITH, GEORGE TAYLOR, JAMES WILSON, GEORGE ROSS and JOHN MORTON.
The last named signed The Declaration of Independence 02.07.1776 then building up and representing by his signature the majority of Pennsylvanian representatives. So actually he founded The United States of America with his signature as the last vote!
Let’s not forget Aileen Wuornos, American serial killer! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aileen_Wuornos
Wow, there’s no excuse for serial killing but sounds like she had a breathtakingly horrible childhood.
But U forgot Aileen Wuornos, or what the hell she was called..The first female serial killer of all times @USA back in the -90`s?
Emil Hurja had also Finnish roots.
http://img.timeinc.net/time/magazine/archive/covers/1936/1101360302_400.jpg
“Hurja was a pioneer of political opinion polling, and an important person during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency in respect of social and economic reforms. He was a son of Finnish immigrants. Hurja appeared on the cover of Time Magazine in March 1936.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Hurja
Thank you for this fun page. The following site provides information about other famous Finnish-American Hollywood stars: http://facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.650613525057888&type=1
My son Carl, a Naval Academy graduate, now a captain, just recently served as Commanding Officer of Sub Base New London, Groton, CT. Not as recognized as the people mentioned above, but in a quiet way, he has dedicated his career and contributed much to the safety and security of our Nation in the submarine service. His father and paternal grandparents are of Finnish ancestry. His grandmother was born in Finland.
Astronaut Timothy Kopra. Grandfather from Finland.
another one mssing from the list is Mike Markkula, early angel investor and long time CEO of Apple.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Markkula
Yet another, Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen Jr. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorma_Kaukonen
You forgot to mention Albert Salmi. He passed away in the 90, but was in many movies and tv shows. Mostly playing cowboys.
Yes and Albert Salmi was Finnish born.
I remember watching Albert on Bonanza when I was a child and my dad would always say he
was a Finn. .
I beg to differ. Albert Sali was born in Brooklyn, NY to parents who immigrated to the US.
Very proud of my heritage.
Me, too! I should only be 1/4 Finnish from my Grandfather (Hakkinen) who was Finland, but I got all my mom’s Finnish jeans as my DNA test said I was 47% Finnish. My mom always put the Finnish pride in us and sisu!
Interesting… That equals = sisUSA :)
I’m not famous but my father’s parents came from Parkano, Finland. And while working on my mothers side she is mostly UK people, but got far enough back on one branch and it had Finns, Swedes, Danes, Norweigens, Russians, Spanish, Portugese, French, Germans, Austrians and some ancient Slavs. A very interesting tree to say the least. Most of the Tremain branch has Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, Earls, Dukes, Counts, Viscounts, Barons, Baronets and other nobility. But England being such a small country they did end up marrying commoners and 2nd and 3rd and 4th sons did the same. I’m just a Michigan Ridgerunner nothing special but I sure do have some special ancestors. Still having troubles with my Spencer family tree though…..
Christine Lahti!!
About David Lynch. Wasn’t his great grandmother a Swede-Finn (Swedish speaking Finn) and not a Swede that first immigrated to Finland?
Swedish speaking Finn equals Swedish ancestry in most cases as the majority of Swedo-Finns are Swedes who stayed behind after the end of the Swedish occupation of Finland. There are very few with Finnish blood (of Finnish ethnicity).
Well its not so simple. If were talking about rural people from coastal area sure they have swedish origin. But in upper classes and educated classes include plenty of Finn families that changed their language to swedish during Swedish era – I’d say the’re about 70 % finniah but like previous commenter not likely to admit it, because it is in conflict with their identity.
Not so. Finns had been Swedish since middle ages and the language of the state was Swedish anyone with learning was Swedish speaking. Modern day country borders are arbitrarily draw during the Napoleonic wars by Russia and France. The population on “Swedish” side of teh border was forcibly taught Swedish as mother tongue in the spirit of nation state nationalism of 19th century. And population on the “Finnish” part was encouraged not to speak swedish to differentiate from the old country. Finnish language was adopted and pushed by progressive part of the educated class, regardless of original ethnic back ground, in order to engage majority of the population in a nation state building project in what became Finland.
Finland has never been occupied by Sweden. The eastern part of the Swedish homeland, which later became Finland, was a integrated part of Sweden since the middle ages and the people here had the same rights and obligations as any other people in Sweden. The eastern part of Sweden (at that time the duchy of Finland) was lost to Russia in the war in 1809. After the bolshevik uprising in Russia in 1917 Finland became an independent country. The extreme rightwing elements in Finland are currently trying to re-write history to suite their political agenda of opressing any minorities.
Here’s two legendary.
George Gaynes (f.e. Police Academy – Commandant Lassard)
Bonnie Pietila (Pietilä) (the casting director and producer for The Simpsons)
Renée Zellweger, Renée’s mother’s ancestors were from Sodankylä in northern Finland
Mike Patton, Mike’s maternal grandparents are Paul Raymond Jarvela (the son of William Andrew Jarvela and Senia Saari) and Barbara J. Henderson. Paul’s parents were Finnish.
Are you talking about Mike Patton the singer?
You could also mention Haddon Sundblom, 1899-1976, born in Michigan to Finnish-Swedish parents (from the autonomous The Alands Islands). He created the modern Santa Claus in the 1930s for Coca-Cola, and his classic illustrations are used to this day.
http://raleigh.aiga.org/you-should-know-haddon-sundblom/
I dunno about famous, but a military character named Larry Thorne of US army was a finn, fought in Finland, with germany SS, and finally was a captain in US army, MIA in Vietnam, presumed dead.
Larry Thorne, or Lauri Törni, belongs to this list. There’s even a movie telling his story “The Green Berets”. Thorne’s part was played by no other than John Wayne himself.
Another was character actor Albert Salmi, who was very proud of his Finnish heritage. With input from his friends, family, and co-stars, I wrote his biography, entitled “Spotlights & Shadows: The Albert Salmi Story,” published by BearManor Media.
A distant cousin of mine, Danny Moder is/was husband of the famous actress, Julia Roberts. His mother and grandmother were Finnish. The grandmother was born in Michigan…..her father came from Finland.
Mary Makela Barra, CEO of General Motors, is a 2nd generation Finnish American.
Makela was my maternal grandmother’s maiden name. Mummu was from Loima and the cemetery behind the church was loaded with Makelas.
Actress Amy Hill born in Deadwood SD has Finnish and Japanese parents.
Matt Damon and Vanessa Williams surprised me the most. ?
I agree, my Finnish family was from northern Michigan. I could not believe Matt Damon or Vanessa Williams. The only way Vanessa Williams knew she was 12 percent Finnish, was through a DNA test… in sure there are a lot more Finns if people did DNA testing. Most people only go by their surnames, I’m proud to be a Finn ( on mymother’s side) she was so proud to be a Finn… she spoke, wrote and read Finnish. She had 2 signs in her hous, one was “Sisu”, the other was “You can tell a Finn, but you can’t tell him much”. Stubborn to the nth degree, but strong, kind and stoic.
John Koskinen, Chief of IRS
I was born in Finland and now live in Australia, but had NO IDEA how many famous people have Finnish ancestry. I think its wonderful! I wish people didn’t feel the need to change their surnames, but I understand…. Lol mine is hard to pronounce in Australia. Pamela Anderson?? Maybe, but only a little bit….
Lisa Niemi Swayze, author, director, actor, wife of the late Patrick
I was waiting to see Lisa Swayze’s name..another one of Finnish decent.
Could somebody please check Paul Simon. I was told that his mother Belle Schulman has Finnish roots.
https://www.geni.com/search?search_type=people&names=Belle+Schulman
http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/news_archives/celebrating_verner_suomi_the_father_of_satellite_meteorology.html
these celebrities might be having Finnish roots but believe me Finnish women have much more natural beauty than these artificial designer faces
David Ousukkinen ( drummer from The Hooters )
My Grand Father on my fathers side lived in US in the 1890:s to 1901 and my Grand Father on my mothers side had two trips to the US in the late 1890:s and early 1900:s
What I know they worked in Michigan. One of them in Crystal Falls. More I don´t know about their journies to the US!
Renny Harlin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renny_Harlin
The King of Free Software and God, Linus Torwalds. He´s number one!
Taina Elg, a Finnish Hollywood and Broadway dancer/actress.
Then there is a legend that Cyd Charisse, the famous dancer/actress partner of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, had Finnish roots. She was born as Tula Ellice Finklea. Tuula is a common woman’s name in Finland.
I always heard she was of Russian origin… BUT as she was born in 1922, her Finnish parents and grandparents would have been born in a Finland under Russian domination.
Great Article, Kathleen! Enjoyed it! Had to follow you on twitter as I read you are a gamer as well!
Bengt Holmström, Nobel Laureate in economics and Professor at MIT, was born in Finland
Don’t forget the late Rodney Dangerfield.
“Buffalo Bill” Cody oli Limingan Kotilaisia. Jep jep.
https://t.co/9YHIxN63lo
Jaco Pastorius!
Can’t believe you missed Christine Lahti.
In the book The Green Berets by Robin Moore, the “Sven Kornie” main character in the first chapter was based on Larry Thorne. The book was later made into a movie by the same name starring John Wayne.
There is a famous book entitled Under Three Flags about Larry Thorne. He fought for Finland, Germany and the US Army. I understood he was killed in a helicopter crash in Vietnam. ne more tough Finn.
Could swear producer/director Scott Lautanen has Finnish roots :p (most probably have seen his name with CSI Miami and NY)
Steven n Seagulls get my vote http://www.stevenseagulls.com to add
My generation, sis and I, are the last of the 100 % finns in our family tree. My grand parents on both sides were from Finland, having their families born in the upper peninsula of Michigan, where my sis and I were also born. My maiden name was Juntunen, and my mother’s maiden name was Kemppainen. I have a son that is 75% Finn – 25% Swedish. Another son 50% Finn – 50% Latino. I do know that Finnish women seem to defy their age somehow. My mother was carded at 38 yrs old and I was at 32, which at the time was hilarious to me. I never realized how beautiful our skin was until later in life. I would always feel embarrassed when someone fussed or paid compliments. Our generation were not told about their beauty. Our parents were stoic, but very loving.
Jessica Lange…Wow! Didn’t know about David and Matt either!
You forgot Paul Kangas the American newsreader/ journalist. He also has Finnish ancestory/
You forgot Paul Kangas the American newsreader/ journalist and Christine Lahti an actor. They both have Finnish ancestory.
Patrick Swayze’s wife and dancer Lisa Niemi!
Mathematician William Kolakoski sounds Finn but I’m not sure as i just learned about him.
Alfred Lunt, famed stage actor of 30-60’s had close ties to Finland. His mother’s 2nd husband was from Finland, and I suspect that his mother was of Finnish-Swedish origin.
Their home has Finland crest and Finnish saying across beam, from play :There Shall Be No Night”, which was about Valkonen family during war. He received award from Finland for helping them at war time. Early days went around area, reciting from Kalevala. Commissioned artist to do 2 paintings from Kalevala.
(google Hildreth Meiere to see pictures of the paintings)
I don’t know about Mustaine, as the claim is that the surname comes from Finnish Mustonen. However, the roots of Dave’s surname are in France. Mustaine is a corruption of d’Estaing. So, his cousins include some of the kings of France and the ex-president Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. Not bad heritage still, even though not Finnish :)
Maila Nurmi was actually born in Gloucester, MA, and that’s also marked on her birth certificate. She did not have any plausible connection to Petsamo, as her father was from Haapajärvi. Still, very Finnish lady.
One more person with Finnish roots was the sculptor of the original Mustang logo Waino Kangas.
Nancy Juvonen is married to Jimmy Fallon
I believe the late sports announcer Dick Enberg, one of the best ever, was of Finnish ancestry.
Who can forget Ray Dolby??? Without him we would not enjoy the lovely digital and surround sound. Roots in Kaustinen Finland.
Kimi Raikkonen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimi_R%C3%A4ikk%C3%B6nen
disregard/ misread Finnish Americans. Not just famous Finns. LOL
Joonas Suotamo, Chewie
1960´s American supermodel sisters Tamara and Kecia Nyman were born in Finland
William Aalto, the deadliest sniper in the Abraham Lincoln International Brigade fighting Franco’s rebellion in the Spanish Civil War. He was also gay and was subjected to occasional homophobic prejudice by some of his own comrades in the ALB. Left-wing enlightenment had not yet advanced into the realm of sexual orientation.
I remember watching Albert on Bonanza when I was a child and my dad would always say he
was a Finn. .
My great uncle Oscar Wirkkala (Virkkala). Inventor in the Pacific Northwest. Skyline logging, choker bell. Carved his ideas out of rutabagas. Born in 1880, died in 1959.
https://www.geni.com/people/Oscar-Wirkkala/6000000017286920251
Albert Salmi
In 1955, Salmi starred as Bo Decker in the play Bus Stop on Broadway, and also performed in the touring production of the play. His performance was praised by critics and Salmi was offered the chance to reprise the role in the 1956 film Bus Stop starring Marilyn Monroe.
Afie Jurvanen, known as Bahamas (the singer), and he is from Canada.
Founder of Hoover electric company, was also American finnish. He’s name was Väino( Vaino) Alexander Hoover, former Huovinen.
Richard Davalos, actor. His mother was Finnish. Richard was my second cousin.
Davalos is also the father of actress Elyssa Davalos and musician Dominique Davalos, and grandfather of actress Alexa Davalos (The Chronicles of Riddick).
Bill Murto, one of the founders of Compaq.
Matt Damon looks so much like one of my sons! We are Finns from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the village of Reisjarvi in Finland! My family names are Kukkola and Paavola.
Like Pamela Anderson, my great grandpa changed his name to Anderson. My other great grandpa changed his name to Nurmi. I am 47% finnish all from my mothers side. All Finnish relatives immigrated to upper Michigan, then lived around Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The celebrities that surprised me the most were Matt Damon, Leslie Mann and Venessa Williams.
Renee Zellweger. Not sure if she was mentioned. My mother came to the US in 1948. Married my father (Anerican GI) after the war.
She was originally from Ouloo (sp?).
Emil Hurja.
was an American newspaper editor and political consultant. Hurja was a pioneer of political opinion polling and played an advisory role during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt
This is beyond stupid, people with 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 or even 3/4 finnish ancestry are not finnish. African finnish? What?
Sami heritage and lived in comox where Pam Anderson grew up .my wife went to her wedding!
Albert Salmi. My parents sold their Finnish, Co-operative apartment in Brooklyn to him late 1940’s. He bought it for his mother and my Dad showed him around.
Dave Mustaine does not have Finnish roots. Thank you.
What about Bing Crosby? I read somewhere that he was partly Finnish, as well.
Liza Weil, Samantaha Weil and Scarlett Estevez also have Finnish ancestry. I know because they are my American cousins.
Liza Weil, Samantha Weil and Scarlett Estevez also have Finnish roots. I know because they are my American cousins. Our common relatives are named Väisänen and came from a place called Lapinlahti in Finland, but in the United States they changed it to Waisanen. My grandmother, Liza’s grandmother, and Samantha’s grandmother were first cousins, so we are third cousins to each other.
MacGyver-Dean Andersson is finnish grandparents.