Famous People

Entrepreneurs, Inventors, Business

Anders Jahre, shipping magnate
Arne Naess Jr., businessman and mountaineer
Bror With (1900 - 1985), inventor
Fred Olsen, shipping magnate
Hilmar Reksten, shipping magnate
Johan Vaaler (1866 - 1910)
John Fredriksen, shipping magnate
Kjell Inge Røkke, businessman and fisherman
Sam Eyde, inventor and industrialist
Sigval Bergesen d.y., shipping magnate
Stein Erik Hagen, businessman

Exploration

Bernt Balchen (1899 - 1973), Norwegian-American polar aviation pioneer
Børge Ousland, polar solo adventurer
Erling Kagge, polar solo adventurer, climber
Finn Rønne (1899 - 1980), Norwegian-American antarctic explorer
Fridtjof Nansen (1861 - 1930), arctic explorer, scientist and international statesman
Helge Ingstad (1899 - 2001), explorer, first to prove ca. 1000 AD Viking settlements in America
Hjalmar Johansen (1867 - 1913), polar explorer
Jens Munk (1579 - 1628), explorer of the Northwest Passage
Otto Sverdrup (1854 - 1930), arctic explorer
Roald Amundsen (1872 - 1928), polar explorer, first to reach the South Pole
Rune Gjeldnes, polar (solo) adventurer
Samuel Balto, arctic explorer
Thor Heyerdahl (1914 - 2002), explorer and anthropologist - famous for his Kon-Tiki exploration
Tormod Granheim, climber and extreme skier, 1st ski descent Mount Everest North Face 2006.
Tryggve Gran (1889 - 1980), aviator, made the first solo flight across the North Sea

Film and Comedy

Atle Antonsen, comedian
Aud Schønemann, actress
Bård Tufte Johansen, comedian
Espen Eckbo, comedian, actor
Harald Eia, comedian, actor
Harald Heide-Steen Jr., comedian, actor
Harald Zwart, film director
Ingerid Vardund, actress
Ivo Caprino, animation film creator
Kristoffer Joner, actor
Kristopher Schau, comedian
Lillian Müller, model, actress
Liv Ullmann, actress, film director
Otto Jespersen, comedian
Per Heimly, photographer, jester
Rolv Wesenlund, comedian, actor
Thomas Giertsen, comedian, actor

Literature

Aasmund Olavsson Vinje, poet and author
Aksel Sandemose, author
Alexander Kielland, author
Alf Prøysen, author, poet, composer and musician
André Bjerke, poet and author
Ari Behn, author, and husband of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway
Arne Garborg, author and poet
Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, poet and author
Christopher Nielsen cartoonist
Dag Solstad, author
Erik Fosnes Hansen, author and poet
Frode Øverli, cartoonist
Halldis Moren Vesaas, poet and author
Hans Herbjørnsrud, author
Henrik Ibsen, playwright and poet
Henrik Wergeland, poet
Herbjørg Wassmo, author
Hulda Garborg, poet and author
Ingvar Ambjørnsen, author
Jan Kjaerstad, author
Jens Bjørneboe, author and poet
Johan Borgen, author
Johan Falkberget, author
Johan Herman Wessel, poet
Johan Nordahl Brun (1745-1816); author, poet, dramatist, politician
Johan Sebastian Welhaven, poet
Jonas Lie, author
Jostein Gaarder, author
Ketil Bjørnstad, author, composer, musician
Kjartan Fløgstad, author
Kjell Aukrust, author
Kjell Hallbing, author
Knut Hamsun, author and poet
Knut Ødegård, author
Lars Saabye Christensen, author and poet
Lise Myhre, cartoonist
Ludvig Holberg (1684-1754), historian and playwright
Margit Sandemo, author
Marta Steinsvik, author
Olav Aukrust, poet
Olav Duun, author
Peter Wessel Zapffe, writer and philosopher
Roy Jacobsen, author
Sigrid Undset, author
Sigurd Hoel, author
Sigurd Ibsen, author and politician
Tarjei Vesaas, author and poet
Tom Egeland, author
Trude Braenne Larssen, author
Wilhelm Krag, poet

Music

Alf Prøysen, author and musician
Ane Brun, singer-songwriter
Anni-Frid Lyngstad, singer (ABBA)
Arne Nordheim, modernist composer
Arve Tellefsen, violin virtuoso
Carl Høgset, conductor (Grex Vocalis)
David Monrad Johansen, composer
Edvard Grieg, composer
Eivind Groven, composer
Erlend Øye, musician
Ernst Glaser, violinist
Geirr Tveitt, composer
Gottfried von der Goltz, violinist, conductor
Hans Erik Husby aka Hank von Helvete, singer (Turbonegro)
Harald Saeverud, composer
Håvard Gimse, classical pianist
Henning Kraggerud, violinist
Ian Haugland, drummer (Europe)
Ivar F. Andresen, basso profundo opera singer
Jahn Teigen, singer
Jan Axel Blomberg aka Hellhammer, drummer (Mayhem)
Jan Garbarek, musician
Jan Werner Danielsen, pop singer
Joachim Nielsen aka Jokke, rock singer, poet
Johan Halvorsen, composer
John Norum, guitarist (Europe)
Jørn Lande, singer
Kari Rueslåtten, singer
Kirsten Flagstad, soprano
Knut Schreiner, musician (Turbonegro, Euroboys)
Kristian Espedal aka Gaahl, singer (Gorgoroth)
Kurt Nilsen, pop singer ("World Idol" winner)
Lars Nedland, musician (Solefald)
Lene Marlin, singer-songwriter
Lene Nystrøm, pop singer (Aqua)
Magne Furuholmen, keyboardist
Mari Boine, musician
Maria Mena, singer-songwriter
Marit Larsen, singer-songwriter
Mira Craig, singer
Morten Harket, singer (a-ha)
Morten Harket, singer of a-ha
Njål Sparbo, singer
Olav Kielland, conductor, composer
Ole Bull, violinist
Ole Paus, singer-songwriter
Olve Eikemo aka Abbath, singer-guitarist (Immortal)
Ørjan Hartveit, opera singer
Øystein Aarseth aka Euronymous, musician (Mayhem)
Øystein Sunde, singer, guitarist
Øyvind Mustaparta, musician (Dimmu Borgir)
Pal Waaktaar, songwriter and guitarist of a-ha
Rikard Nordraak, composer
Roy Khan, singer (Kamelot)
Sigmund Groven, harmonica virtuoso, composer
Sissel Kyrkjebø, singer
Solveig Kringlebotn, soprano
Sondre Lerche, singer-songwriter
Stian Thoresen, singer (Dimmu Borgir)
Svein Berge, musician (Röyksopp)
Terje Rypdal, guitarist, composer
Thomas Dybdahl, singer-songwriter
Toki Wartooth, guitarist (Dethklok)
Tone Groven Holmboe, composer
Torbjørn Brundtland, musician (Röyksopp)
Trond Kverno, composer
Unni Wilhelmsen, singer-songwriter
Varg Vikernes, musician (Burzum) and convicted murderer
Wenche Myhre, singer

Painting and Sculpture

Adolph Tiedemand, painter
Christian Krohg, painter
Edvard Munch, painter
Erik Werenskiold, painter, illustrator
Gustav Vigeland, sculptor
Hans Gude, painter
J.C. Dahl, painter
Nils Aas, sculptor
Odd Nerdrum, painter
Rolf Groven, painter
Theodor Kittelsen, painter
Vebjørn Sand, painter

Politics

Anton Christian Bang, former Minister of Education and Church Affairs
C. J. Hambro
Carl I. Hagen
Christian Michelsen, 1905 independence engineer
Einar Gerhardsen, former Prime Minister
Erna Solberg
Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister
Hilde Frafjord Johnson
Jan Egeland, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Jan Petersen
Jens Evensen
Jens Stoltenberg, current Prime Minister
Johan Jørgen Holst
Johan Nygaardsvold
Kåre Willoch, former Prime Minister
Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Prime Minister
Kristin Halvorsen current Minister of Finance
Kristin Krohn Devold
Lars Sponheim
Marianne Heiberg
Mona Juul, diplomat
Odd Einar Dørum
Per Borten, former Prime Minister
Per-Kristian Foss
Sigurd Ibsen, author and politician
Terje Rød-Larsen, diplomat
Thorvald Stoltenberg
Torstein Dahle
Trond Giske
Trygve Bratteli, former Prime Minister
Trygve Halvdan Lie, first UN Secretary-General
Valgerd Svarstad Haugland former leader of "Kristelig folkeparti", The Christian people's party
Vidkun Quisling (1887 - 1945), Norwegian officer and fascist politician.

Sciences, Research and Engineering

Anne Stine Ingstad (1918 - 1997), archaeologist
Arne Naess, philosopher
Atle Selberg, mathematician, Fields Medal laureate
Caspar Wessel (1745 - 1818), mathematician
Christopher Hansteen (1784 - 1873), physicist and astronomer
Colin Archer (1832 - 1921), ship builder
Daniel Cornelius Danielssen (1815 - 1894), dermatologist
Eilert Sundt (1817 - 1875), sociologist
Erik S. Reinert, heterodox economist
Finn E. Kydland, economist, Nobel laureate
Fred Kavli, inventor, business leader, Kavli prizes
Fredrik Barth, anthropologist
Fredrik Rosing Bull (1882 - 1925), data processing pioneer
Georg Sverdrup (1770 - 1850), linguist
Gerhard Armauer Hansen (1841 - 1912), discoverer of the leprosy bacterium
Håkon Wium Lie, computer scientist
Hans Ström (1726 - 1797), zoologist
Harald Sverdrup (1888 - 1957), oceanographer and meteorologist
Harald Tveit Alvestrand, computer scientist
Ivar Aasen (1813 - 1896), linguist, nynorsk proponent
Ivar Giaever, physicist, biologist, Nobel laureate
Jan Mossin (1936 - 1987), financial economist
Johan Ernst Gunnerus (1718 - 1773), naturalist, bishop of Trondheim
Johan Galtung, peace and conflict research, The Right Livelihood Award laureate
Johan Hjort (1869 - 1948), marine biologist, oceanographer, fisheries
John Ugelstad (1921 - 1997), pioneering scientist within the fields of polymer and colloid chemistry
Jon Elster, political science and sociology
Jon Johansen, computer programmer/hacker
Jørgen Alexander Knudtzon, linguist
Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard, astrophysicist
Knut Yrvin, computer scientist, founder and main creator of Skolelinux
Kristen Nygaard (1926 - 2002), computer scientist, Turing Award laureate
Kristian Birkeland (1867 - 1917), physicist and industrialist
Lars Monrad Krohn, engineer and entrepreneur
Lars Onsager (1903 - 1976), physical chemist, Nobel laureate
Ludwig Sylow (1832 - 1918), mathematician
Niels Henrik Abel (1802 - 1829), mathematician
Niels Treschow (1751 - 1833), philosopher
Odd Aalen, statistician
Odd Hassel (1897 - 1981), chemist, Nobel laureate (1969)
Ole-Johan Dahl (1931 - 2002), computer scientist, Turing Award laureate
P. A. Munch (1810 - 1863), historian
Ragnar Frisch (1895 - 1973), economist, Nobel laureate
Rasmus Sørnes (1893 - 1967), inventor and clockmaker
Sam Eyde (1866 - 1940), inventor and industrialist
Sophus Bugge (1833 - 1907), linguist
Sophus Lie (1842 - 1899), mathematician
Stein Rokkan (1921 - 1979), political scientist
Sverre Petterssen (1898 - 1974), meteorologist
Tor Sørnes, inventor keycard lock
Trygve Haavelmo (1911 - 1999), economist, Nobel laureate
Trygve Reenskaug, computer science (model-view-controller)
Vebjørn Tandberg (1904 - 1978), engineer and industrialist
Viggo Brun (1885 - 1978), mathematician
Vilhelm Bjerknes (1862 - 1951), meteorologist, father of modern weather forecasting

Sports

Ådne Søndrål, speedskater
Åge Hareide, football player and coach
Ailo Gaup, FMX motorcyclist
Alf Hansen, rower
Andreas Thorkildsen, javelin thrower
Babe Didriksen Zaharias, Olympic athlete and LPGA golfer
Bente Skari, cross-country skier
Berit Aunli, cross-country skier
Birger Ruud, ski jumper
Bjørg Eva Jensen, speedskater
Bjørn Daehlie, cross-country skier
Bjørn Wirkola, ski jumper
Christina Vukicevic, hurdle race runner
Daniel Braaten, football player
Daniel Franck, snowboarder
Dordi Nordby, curler
Egil "Drillo" Olsen, football player and coach
Egil Danielsen, javelin thrower, Olympian
Eskil Ervik, speedskater
Espen "Shampoo" Knutsen, ice hockey player
Espen Bredesen, ski jumper
Even Wetten, speedskater
Frank Hansen, rower
Fred Anton Maier, speedskater
Frode Estil, cross-country skier
Geir Karlstad, speedskater
Grete Waitz, long distance runner
Gunn-Rita Dahle Flesjå, mountain biker, Olympian
Harald V of Norway, yacht sailor, Olympian
Hege Riise, woman football player
Henning Berg, football player and manager
Henning Solberg, rally driver
Henrik Bjørnstad, golfer
Hilde G. Pedersen, cross-country skier
Hjalmar Andersen, speedskater
Ingolf Mork, ski jumper
Ingrid Kristiansen, long distance runner
Isabell Herlovsen, woman football player
Ivar Ballangrud, speedskater
Jan Egil Storholt, speedskater
Johann Olav Koss, speedskater
John Arne Riise, football player
John Carew, football player
Jon Rønningen, wrestler
Kari Traa, freestyle skier
Kjersti Buaas, snowboarder
Kjersti Tysse Plätzer, race walker
Kjetil André Aamodt, alpine skier
Kjetil Rekdal, football player and manager
Knut Holmann, kayaker
Knut Johannesen, speedskater
Knute Rockne, American college football coach
Kristen Skjeldal, cross-country skier
Kristian Kjelling, team handball player
Kurt Asle Arvesen, cyclist
Lasse Kjus, alpine skier
Linn Githmark, curler
Liv Grete Skjelbreid Poirée, biathlete
Magne Thomassen, speedskater
Magnus Carlsen, chess player
Marit Bjørgen, cross-country skier
Mensen Ernst, runner
Morten Gamst Pedersen, football player
Nila Håkedal, beach volleyball player
Nils Arne Eggen, football coach
Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset, cross-country skier
Oddvar Brå, cross-country skier
Olaf Tufte, rower
Olaf Tufte, rowing, single scull
Ole Einar Bjørndalen, biathlete
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, football player
Ole-Kristian Tollefsen, ice hockey player
Oscar Mathisen, speedskater
Øystein Grødum, speedskater
Øyvind Leonhardsen, football player
Pål Trulsen, curler
Patrick Thoresen, ice hockey player
Per Ivar Moe, speedskater
Per Willy Guttormsen, speedskater
Petter Solberg, rally driver
Roar Ljøkelsøy, ski jumper
Robert Sørlie, dogsled racer
Rolf Falk-Larssen, speedskater
Sigurd Pettersen, ski jumper
Simen Agdestein, chess player
Sondre Norheim, pioneer skier
Sonja Henie, figure skater and movie star
Steffen Tangstad, heavy weight boxer
Stein Eriksen, alpine skier
Sten Stensen, speedskater
Stian Grimseth, weightlifter
Stine Brun Kjeldaas, snowboarder
Susanne Wigene, middle and long distance runner
Suzann "Tutta" Pettersen, golfer
Terje Håkonsen, snowboarder
Thomas Alsgaard, cross-country skier
Thomas Myhre, football keeper
Thor Hushovd, cyclist
Tore André Flo, football player
Trine Hattestad, javelin thrower
Trond Sollied, football player and manager
Vegard Ulvang, cross-country skier

World War II

Arvid Storsveen, resistance, leader of XU
Carl Gustav Fleischer (1883 - 1942), first allied general to win a major victory against the Germans in World War II ( Battle of Narvik).
Gunnar Sønsteby, resistance fighter
Jens Christian Hauge, head of Milorg
Johan Bernhard Hjort, Gross Kreutz group, White Buses operation
Leif Larsen aka "Shetland's Larsen", WWII naval officer
Martin Linge, commander of SOE Norwegian Independent Company 1
Max Manus, resistance fighter
Otto Ruge, Commander-in-Chief
Vidkun Quisling, WWII 'prime minister' by coup d'etat

Other Famous Norwegians

Anders Heger, publisher and writer
Andrew Furuseth, (1854-1938), merchant seaman and labour leader
Arne Arnardo, circus performer and proprietor
Arne Rinnan, captain of MV Tampa
Arne Treholt, civil servant, spy for the KGB, convicted of treason
Åsne Seierstad, journalist
Belle Gunness, serial killer
Christian Lous Lange, internationalist, Nobel peace-prize laureate
Cornelius Cruys, (1655 - 1727), first commander of the Russian Baltic Fleet.
Eigil Nansen, humanist and architect
Eva Joly, judge
Fredrik Skavlan, talkshow host
Johannes Berg, central fandom figure
Lasse Gjertsen, animator and videographer
Linn Ullmann, journalist and author
Mona Grudt, Miss Universe 1990
Peter Wessel Tordenskjold (1691 - 1720), naval hero of the Royal Dano-Norwegian Navy.
Trude Mostue, tv-vet