Famous Danish People

Even though Denmark isn't all that big and doesn't hold a lot of people compared to many other countries, Danes still have names well known all over the world. We are talking about singers, artists, writers, actors and athletes.

In this article I am going to mention just a few of the people who have done theirs to make Denmark known across oceans and borders....

Some years ago some people came together in the name of the newest trend in music; a mixture of pop and dance rhythms. Today their music is being played all over the world and the group has won several prices for their music. The group we are talking about is of course the Danish group AQUA with Swedish lead singer Lene Grawford Nystrøm.

Another well-known and popular Danish is D:A:D former known as Disneyland After Dark. They play hard rock and heavy metal and have already been active for years now.

Talking about music then there is one Dane who really has made himself a name out there. That is of course Lars_Ulrich from Metallica. He is one of the absolutely most famous drum players living. He more or less formed Metallica back in 1980/81 and he and the band had their first show in 1982.

Another entertainer well respected both in Denmark but also in the US is Victor_Borge also known as Børge Rosenbaum. He was a great humorist and musician. He had his first debut in 1926 and was one of the most popular Danish artists in the 30ies. In 1940 he moved to N.Y., USA and became an American citizen in 1948.

While in the entertainment industry there is a young Danish actress who is about to get her name on the American board. She just had her debut in the American movie 'High Fidelity' with John Cusak. Her name is Iben_Hjejle and is already known from various Danish movies as i.e. one of the popular Danish dogma movies called 'Mifunes' also to find in American video stores.

Brigitte_Nielsen former known as Brigitte Stallone is yet another Dane who got her face in magazines and news papers around the world, - especially after her marriage to Sylvester Stallone 1985-87. But Brigitte also had her own career both as a singer, model and actress. She has been in movies as 'Cobra', 'Red Sonja' and 'Beverly Hills Cops 2'.

One of the most beautiful famous Danes out there has to be super model Helena_Christensen born 1968. She does work for names like Karl Lagerfeld, Gianni Versace and Kenar and has also been staring in Chris Isaak's music video 'Wicked Games'. The mixture of her green eye, black hair and tanned skin definitely makes her an asset for Denmark.

Going from one kind of entertainment to another Denmark also has some very popular football (soccer - US) brothers. Michael_Laudrup started his career in 1982 and has played for clubs as Lazio/Juventus, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Vissel Kobe & Ajax, - not to mention the Danish super league. Little brother Brian_Laudrup had his debut in 1986, 17 years old. Brian has played for clubs as Bayer Uerdigen, Bayern Munich, Italian League, AC Milan, Glasgow Rangers and Chelsea, - and just like his brother the Danish super league.

Peter_Schmeichel is one of the best Danish goalkeepers ever. He begun his career in 1963 and also played many years for Manchester United.

To make movies we need good instructors and one of the best instructors alive is Danish Bille August. He has instructed movies like 'The house of the Spirits' and 'Smilla's Sense of Snow', - and many, MANY more.... Unfortunately I cannot find a home page for Bille.

Talking about 'Smilla's Sense of Snow' I think this would be the time to talk about Danish writer Peter_Høeg Peter Høeg wrote 'Smilla's Sense of Snow', - in Danish 'Frøken Smillas Fornemmelse for Sne'. Other books by Peter Høeg are 'Borderlines' and 'The Woman and The Ape'.

Another writer, - and very famous indeed, is H.C._Andersen mostly known for his fairy tales and children's books. 'The Little Mermaid' probably being his most famous work. He lived 1805-75 and began to publish his books in 1829. Other works by H. C. Andersen are i.e. 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier', 'The Snow Queen', 'The Swineherd' and 'The Nightingale'.

Søren_Kierkegaard" 1813, is a famous philosopher and theologian known for many controversial subjects, books and speeches.

Jørn_Utzon 1918, is the brain behind the opera house in Sydney. He has also build private residences, the Nation Assembly Building in Kuwait (1971-1983) and Bagsværd Church in Copenhagen, 1976.

The most important studies of the Supernova of 1572 was done by the Dane Thyge_Brahe 1546-1601. He was also a remarkable observer of the Heavens from his observatory and he determined the fundamental laws of planetary motion.

A couple of other famous Danes are NFL player Morten Andersen, kicker for Atlanta Falcons and designer Erik Mortensen. Many more can be mentioned, but this is definitely some of the Danes whom have helped to make Denmark visible.....