Famous People

This is a list of Lithuanians, both people of Lithuanian descent and people with the birthplace or citizenship of Lithuania.

Architecture and Sculpture

Antanas Vivulskis (1877-1919), architect of Three Crosses in Vilnius
Gintaras Karosas (1968-), sculptor, founder of Europos Parkas;
Juozas Zikaras (1881-1944), sculptor and designer the interwar years' Lithuanian litas
Laurynas Gucevicius (1753-1798), architect of Vilnius Cathedral

Artists

Adolfas Valeska (1905-1994) painter and graphic artist
Algimantas Kezys, Lithuanian-American photographer
Boris Schatz (1867-1932), sculptor and founder of the Bezalel Academy.
Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (1875-1911), painter and composer
Petronele Gerlikiene (1905-1979), self-taught Lithuanian-American artist
Sarunas Sauka (b. 1958) painter
Stasys Eidrigevicius (1949- ) graphic artist
William Zorach (1889-1966), artist

Literature

Antanas Baranauskas (1835-1902), priest and poet
Antanas Skema (1911-1961), writer in exile
Balys Sruoga (1896-1947), writer, poet, playwright
Henrikas Radauskas (1910-1970), poet, one of the major figures of Lithuanian literature in exile
Icchokas Meras (1934-), Lithuanian-Jewish writer about the Holocaust
Juozas Grusas (1901-1986), one of the most productive writers and playwrights under the Soviet rule
Jurga Ivanauskaite (1961-2007), modern female writer
Jurgis Baltrusaitis (1873-1944), poet and diplomat, the first Symbolist poet
Justinas Marcinkevicius (1930-), one of the most important poets during the Soviet rule
Kazys Binkis (1893-1942), poet and playwright, leader of Lithuanian Futurism movement
Kristijonas Donelaitis (1714-1780), priest and poet
Maironis (real name Jonas Maciulis, 1862-1932), priest and poet, best known patriotic poet
Martynas Mazvydas (1510-1563), author of the first book in Lithuanian language
Oskaras Milasius (1877-1939), French-Lithuanian writer and diplomat
Salomeja Neris (real name Salomeja Bacinskaite-Buciene, 1904-1945), the best known female poet during the interwar period
Satrijos Ragana (real name Marija Peckauskaite, 1877-1930), female writer
Tomas Venclova (1937-), poet, political activist
Vincas Kreve-Mickevicius (1882-1954), writer and playwright, author of major interwar plays
Vincas Kudirka (1858-1899), writer and poet, author of the national anthem of Lithuania
Vydunas (real name Vilhelmas Storosta, 1868-1953), writer and philosopher, leader of Lithuanian cultural movement in the Lithuania Minor at the beginning of the 20th century
Zemaite (real name Julija Beniuseviciute-Zymantiene, 1845-1921), one of the best known female writers

Mathematics

Aldona Aleskiaviciene(Statulieviciene) - probability theory and stochastic processes
Algimantas Jonas Bikelis - probability theory and stochastic processes
Antanas Kestutis Bulota - number theory
Antanas Laurincikas - number theory
Bronius Grigelionis - probability theory and stochastic processes
Eugenijus Manstavicius - number theory
Feliksas Ivanauskas - numerical analysis
Jonas Kubilius - number theory, recipient of Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas, University rector
Kleopas Grincevicius - differential geometry
Raimundas Bentkus - probability theory and stochastic processes
Vaclovas Bliznikas - differential geometry
Vygantas I. Paulauskas - probability theory and stochastic processes
Vytautas Statulevicius - probability theory and stochastic processes

Music

Andrius Mamontovas (1967-), rock singer, co-founder of Foje and LT United
Balys Dvarionas (1904-1972), composer
Gintare, Pop Artist, signed with SONY EMI in 1998
Jonas Svedas (1908-1971), composer
Marijonas Mikutavicius (1971-), singer, author of Trys Milijonai, the unofficial sports anthem in Lithuania
Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis (1875-1911), painter and composer
Osvaldas Balakauskas (1937-), ambassador and classical composer
Violeta Urmanaviciute-Urmana, opera singer (soprano-mezzosoprano) appearing internationally
Virgilijus Noreika (1935-) opera singer (tenor)

Politics

Aleksandras Stulginskis (1885-1969), President of Lithuania in the interwar period
Algirdas Brazauskas (1932-), the former First secretary of Central Committee of Communist Party of Lithuanian SSR, the former president of Lithuania after 1990, and former Prime Minister of Lithuania
Antanas Merkys (1888-1955), the last Prime Minister of interwar Lithuania
Antanas Smetona (1874-1944), the first President (1919) and authoritarian leader (1926-1941)
Antanas Snieckus (1903-1974), First Secretary of the Lithuanian Communist Party (1940-1974)
Arturas Zuokas (1968-), controversial mayor of Vilnius city municipality
Augustinas Voldemaras (1883-1942), the Prime Minister to Antanas Smetona
Gediminas Vagnorius (1957-), the Prime Minister behind vagnorkes, the temporary currency
Jonas Basanavicius (1851-1927), "father" of the Act of Independence of 1918
Justas Paleckis (1899-1980), journalist and politician, puppet Prime Minister after Soviet occupation
Kazimiera Prunskiene (1943-), the first female Prime Minister
Kazys Grinius (1866-1950), politician, third President of Lithuania
Mykolas Slezevicius (1882-1939), three times Prime Minister, organized Lithuanian Armed Forces
Rolandas Paksas (1956-), former President, removed from the office after impeachment
Stasys Lozoraitis (1898-1983), diplomat and leader of Lithuanian government in exile (1940-1983)
Stasys Lozoraitis (junior) (1924-1994), politician, diplomat, succeeded his father as leader of Lithuanian government in exile (1987-1991)
Valdas Adamkus (1926-), current President of Lithuania
Vytautas Landsbergis (1932-), politician, professor, leader of Sajudis, the independence movement, former speaker of Seimas, member of European Parliament

Religion

Archbishop Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis-Matulevicius
Archbishop Mecislovas Reinys
Audrys Cardinal Backis
Avraham Yeshayahu Karelitz
Chaim Ozer Grodzinski
Chaim Volozhin
Daumantas of Pskov - Lithuanian minor noble, became prince of Pskov and defender against the Teutonic Knights.
Eliyahu Eliezer Dessler
Louis Vezelis- Lithuanian-American sedevacantist Franciscan bishop
Monsignor Simon Morkunas - Lithuanian-American humanitarian
Motiejus Valancius - bishop of Samogitia, historian and writer.
Saint Athanasius - Born into a Lithuanian noble family, became a monk and martyr.
Saint Casimir
Saint Charitina - Lithuanian noblewoman turned ascetic and abbess.
Vilna Gaon

Science

Aaron Klug - physicist and chemist, and winner of the 1982 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Algirdas Julius Greimas - linguist
Birute Galdikas - anthropologist
Jonas Jablonskis - Lithuanian practical linguist, founder of Standard Lithuanian
Jurgis Baltrusaitis - art-historian, expert of medieval art
Jurgis Dobkevicius - aircraft designer
Kazimieras Buga - renowned linguist
Kazimieras Simonavicius - artillery and rocket scientist
Kazys Almenas - physicist, writer and essayist
Konstantinas Sirvydas first Lithuanian lexicographer
Marija Gimbutiene - archaeologist
Simonas Daukantas - historian
Vytautas Andrius Graiciunas - management theorist
Vytautas Straizys - astronomer

Sports

Andrius Gedgaudas - soccer player
Arvydas Sabonis - former NBA player with Portland Trail Blazers, used to play for the USSR
Austra Skujyte - Olympic medallist at decathlon
Daina Gudzineviciute - Olympic gold medallist in shooting
Dainius Zubrus - NHL player with the Buffalo Sabres
Darius Kasparaitis - NHL player
Darius Songaila - current NBA player with the Washington Wizards
Diana Ziliute - cyclist
Diana Ziliute - cyclist
Dick Butkus - NFL Hall of Fame linebacker
Eddie Waitkus - baseball player
Eugenijus Riabovas - head coach of Hearts FC
Joe Jurevicius - American football (NFL) wide receiver
Linas Kleiza - current NBA player with the Denver Nuggets
Margarita Drobiazko - ice dancer
Markas Luckis - chess player
Povilas Vaitonis - chess player
Povilas Vanagas - figure skater and ice dancer
Raimondas Rumsas - cyclist
Ramunas Siskauskas - basketball player
Sarunas Jasikevicius - basketball player
Virgilijus Alekna - European, world and Olympic champion in discus throwing
Vitas Gerulaitis - tennis player (member of the Lithuanian diaspora in the US)
Vladas Mikenas - chess player
Zydrunas Ilgauskas - current NBA player with the Cleveland Cavaliers
Zydrunas Savickas - 5-time winner of the "Arnold's Strongest Man" 1st Place

Theatre and Cinema

Adolfas Vecerskis (1949-), theatre and film actor, director, General Director of Lithuanian National Drama Theatre
Arturas Barysas (1954-2005), "counter-culture" actor, singer, photographer, and filmmaker, known as the father of modern Lithuanian avant-garde.
Arunas Matelis (1961-),documentary director
Donatas Banionis (1924-), actor
Eimuntas Nekrosius (1952-), theatre director
George Maciunas (1931-1978), initiator of Fluxus movement
Ingeborga Dapkunaite (1963-), internationally successful actress
Jonas Mekas (1922-), filmmaker, the godfather of American avant-garde cinema
Jonas Vaitkus (1944-), theatre director, director of Utterly Alone
Juozas Miltinis (1907-1994), theatre director
Oskaras Korsunovas (1969-),theatre director
Regimantas Adomaitis (1937-), theatre and film actor
Sarunas Bartas (1964-), film director

Related to Lithuania by Birthplace or Citizenship

Abraham Cahan
Adam Mickiewicz - poet
Ann Jillian (1950-), American television actress, born to immigrant parents
Annis Stukus - Canadian sports personality
Antanas Mockus - Colombian mathematician, philosopher, and politician
Antanas Sileika - Canadian author
Anthony Kiedis - lead singer, Red Hot Chili Peppers;
Bernard Berenson
Billy McNeill - Scottish soccer player - Lithuanian mother
Bob Dylan - American folk/rock musician.
Charles Bronson, actor, born in Lithuanian emigrants family;
Czeslaw Milosz - Polish poet and essayist, Nobel prize winner
David Lee - physicist, winner of Nobel Prize in 1996 for physics
Elijah ben Solomon - the Gaon of Vilna
Emma Goldman aka 'Red Emma', Lithuania-born anarchist known for her writings and speeches
Emmanuel Levinas - prominent philosopher
Hermann Minkowski - mathematician, one of Einstein's teachers
Ignas Domeika - geologist and mineralogist
Jacques Lipchitz - artist
Jascha Heifetz (1901-1987) - violinist
Jason Sudeikis - US actor and comedian, member of Saturday Night Live cast
Joanna Shimkus - actress born in Canada to Lithuanian émigrés
John C. Reilly - American actor. Mother is of Lithuanian descent
John Candy - Canadian actor (his mother of mixed Lithuanian descent)
John Gielgud - British actor
John Kiedis - also known as Spider or Blackie Dammett, father of Anthony Kiedis
Johnny Unitas - former Baltimore Colts quarterback - parents were Lithuanian
Jozef Pilsudski - marshal of Poland
Karl Shapiro
Kevin Bieksa - Canadian hockey player
Laurence Harvey - actor (real name Laruschka Mischa Skikne)
Leo Rautins - Canadian basketball player, national team coach, broadcaster
Maury Povich - paternal grandparents emigrated from Lithuania
Nadine Gordimer - novelist and writer, winner of the 1991 Nobel Prize in literature and 1974 Booker Prize
Philip Glass - b.1937 composer (grandchild of Lithuanian Jewish migrants)
Richard Durbin - Illinois senator - mother was Lithuanian
Robert Briscoe - Lord Mayor of Dublin
Robert Z'Dar - American actor
Robert Zemeckis - American film director
S. J. Perelman
Saul Anuzis (1959-), chairman of the Michigan Republican State Committee 2005-present.
Sean Penn - American actor. Father was of mixed Russian and Lithuanian descent
Stanley Kunitz - American poet - mother was Lithuanian
Sydney Brenner - biologist, winner of 2002 Nobel Prize in Physiology
Uriel Weinreich
Vlado Perlemuter - French pianist, born in Kaunas
Wayne Levonitis - lead singer/rock musician Sub Masters
William Zorach