Famous people from Denmark have made remarkable contributions to the world, excelling in fields such as science, sports, the arts, and more.
Despite its small size, Denmark boasts a rich history and vibrant culture that has produced many influential individuals who have made a lasting impact globally. From pioneering scientists and visionary artists to world-class athletes and renowned actors, these Danes have left their mark in various domains.
In this article, we celebrate 14 famous Danes who have changed the world and continue to inspire generations with their extraordinary achievements.
Denmark has much to be proud of when it comes to its contributions to history. Here are 14 Danes who have truly shaped the world!
Contents
- 1 1. Explorer Vitus Bering
- 2 2. Danish Physicist and Nobel Prize Winner Niels Bohr
- 3 3. Writer Karen Blixen
- 4 4. Drummer Lars Ulrich
- 5 5. Designer Verner Panton
- 6 6. Danish Film Director Bille August
- 7 7. Handball Player Anja Andersen
- 8 8. Hans Christian Andersen
- 9 9. Rasmus Lerdorf
- 10 10. Danish Actor Mads Mikkelsen
- 11 11. Physicist and Chemist Hans Christian Ørsted
- 12 12. Founder of the LEGO Group Ole Kirk Christiansen
- 13 13. Tennis Star Caroline Wozniacki
- 14 14. Sculptor and Artist Bertel Thorvaldsen
- 15 Final Words about these famous people from Denmark
1. Explorer Vitus Bering
This explorer with perhaps the most famous surname in the world may have been with the Russian Navy but he was born in the happy harbor hamlet of Horsens. A restless soul, Bering left his hometown as a young man and set about ship business, joining the Russian Navy in 1703.
He explored northern Siberia for more than a decade eventually discovering Alaska and the land that bears his name. He died, marooned on that island. Nowadays, the Bering Strait, the Bering Sea, Bering Island, Bering Glacier and the Bering Land Bridge bear the explorer's name. Visit the University in Horsens named after him!
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2. Danish Physicist and Nobel Prize Winner Niels Bohr
The son of a physiology professor, Niels Bohr was born in 1885 in Copenhagen. The young lad was surrounded by egg heads. His father was taught at the Copenhagen University. His mother was from an educated clan.
He eventually grew up to be one of the greatest minds in physics and in particular atomic structure. His discoveries were central to the development of quantum theory, something that other fellow Einstein wrote about. He received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922. You can visit Niels’ resting place in Copenhagen.
3. Writer Karen Blixen
If there were ever a Danish author who could ask God for a return on his investment, it’s Karen Blixen (aka Isak Dinsen). A playful Danish girl, born in Rungsted, just north of Copenhagen, in 1913, she left the beautiful, lush green, garden-laden grounds of her childhood home to marry her distant cousin, a baron. He lived in the wilds of Africa.
A year into their marriage he promptly gave her syphilis. Yet the young woman didn’t languish in her illness. Instead, she went on to write beautiful tales of her adventure and produced the book Out of Africa, one of the greatest English-language books ever written. Her home is now a museum.
4. Drummer Lars Ulrich
Enough history let’s get to some present Danes. There’s none more famous or who kicks more ass than Metallica drummer and founder Lars Ulrich. (We don’t have a photo of him ‘cause he tends to get a little touchy about licensing…)
A tennis star in training, young Lars whittle away his time listening to his tennis pro and part-time musician dad’s jazz albums. Miles Davis and John Coltrane, were staples in his home. He got introduced to heavy metal through the British band Deep Purple and when he got his first drum set at age 13, history was born.
Lars and his band mates changed heavy metal music forever with their “Enter the Sandman,” album that was received by critics, metal fans and grandmothers alike. Check out this footage of Lars visiting his childhood home in Gentofte, Denmark.
5. Designer Verner Panton
There must be something in the water in Gentofte because this Danish town on the north of Copenhagen produced some pretty cool dudes. Dudes like Ulrich and Verner Panton. Before Verner Panton came on the scene few people would have seen the beauty of a plastic chair.
But by adding unique, circular and spindly design and vibrant, happy colors to his design inventions Panton reinvigorated the commercial design world. His chairs are those post-modern clone-shaped one-seaters that look too dainty to sit in.
But people love those chairs! More than a decade after his death, people are still buying them. He’s also known for unusual architecture and is credited by some with pioneering modern architecture, making him a notable Danish architect.
6. Danish Film Director Bille August
Photographer, cinematographer, screenwriter, and Danish film director, Bille August sure knows how to tell a story. He put Danish filmmaking on the map with a string of television dramas and movies.
He’s won every award there is including a Golden Palm from Cannes Film Festival in 1992 for Den goda viljan (Best Intentions), and an Emmy the same year for The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. He also won numerous humanitarian awards for his film The Color of Freedom about a white, racist, South African prison guard who is won over by Nelson Mandela.
Carl Theodor Dreyer, another celebrated Danish director, made significant contributions to Danish cinema, intertwining with the country's rich cultural history. Danish actresses like Connie Nielsen have also made their mark, with notable roles in films such as ‘Gladiator' and ‘Wonder Woman'. Additionally, Danish-French film actress Anna Karina had a profound impact on the French New Wave movement through her collaborations with director Jean-Luc Godard.
7. Handball Player Anja Andersen
Handball? What? Danes are crazy about handball, a unique sport that’s a cross between volleyball, basketball and soccer. And Anja Andersen, from Odense, Denmark, is called the “Best Handball Player Ever!”
She’s the Michael Jordan of the sport and when she played you could hardly look anywhere else. She was prone to showcasing around-the-back, through the legs and overhead moves that dazzled spectators. This Olympic Gold medalist was a beauty on the court but could also be a beast. A heart defect pushed her out of active play but she still promotes handball all over the world.
8. Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875) was a Danish author celebrated for his literary fairy tales, though he also wrote plays, novels, travelogues, and poems. He authored 156 fairy tales, including classics like “The Little Mermaid,” “The Ugly Duckling,” and “The Emperor's New Clothes,” which have been translated into over 125 languages.
Andersen's works are cherished by children and adults alike for their timeless lessons in resilience and virtue. Despite challenges in his early life, Andersen's stories have inspired countless adaptations, and he remains an iconic figure in Western literature, beloved for his imaginative storytelling and unique characters.
9. Rasmus Lerdorf
The inventor of web scripting language PHP. Without PHP, not only would this site not be possible, but also many of the web's success stories rely on it: Amazon, Facebook, Yahoo, the list can go and on.
Rasmus Lerdorf, born on November 22, 1968, in Greenland, is a Danish-Canadian programmer best known for creating PHP, a widely used scripting language. He authored the first two versions of PHP, initially released in 1995, and contributed to subsequent versions. Lerdorf graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1993 with a degree in Systems Design Engineering.
He has worked at Yahoo! as an Infrastructure Architecture Engineer and has been involved with various tech companies like WePay, Etsy, and Jelastic. Lerdorf remains an influential figure in open-source communities, frequently speaking at conferences worldwide.
10. Danish Actor Mads Mikkelsen
When it comes to versatility and striking looks, few can match the prowess of Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen. Born in 1965 in Østerbro, Copenhagen, Mikkelsen began his acting career in the 1990s, gracing Danish films and television shows with his presence. His big break came in 2006 when he played the villainous Le Chiffre in the James Bond film “Casino Royale,” catapulting him to international stardom.
Another notable Danish-American actor is Viggo Mortensen, known for his significant roles in major films such as ‘The Lord of the Rings' and ‘A History of Violence.' Additionally, many notable actors with Danish heritage, like Mikkelsen, have Danish fathers, which has influenced their careers and identities.
Mikkelsen’s talent for embodying a wide range of characters is evident in his diverse roles. He mesmerized audiences as the titular character in the TV series “Hannibal” (2013-2015), and delivered powerful performances in films like “The Hunt” (2012), “The Green Butchers” (2003), and “The Salvation” (2014). Before fully committing to acting, Mikkelsen also worked as a Danish model, showcasing his striking features.
Off-screen, Mikkelsen is a dedicated family man and an avid supporter of Tottenham Hotspur and the Danish national team. His journey from Danish cinema to Hollywood highlights his incredible range and enduring appeal.
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11. Physicist and Chemist Hans Christian Ørsted
Hans Christian Ørsted, a Danish physicist and chemist, forever changed the scientific landscape with his groundbreaking discovery of electromagnetism. Born in 1777 in Rudkøbing, Denmark, Ørsted’s academic journey led him to the University of Copenhagen, where he later became a professor of physics and chemistry.
Another notable Danish chemist, Hans Christian Ørsted, is recognized for his groundbreaking discovery that electric currents can create magnetic fields, linking the fields of magnetism and electricity for the first time.
In 1820, Ørsted made a monumental discovery: the relationship between electricity and magnetism. His findings, published in the paper “Experimenta circa effectum conflictus electrici in acum magneticam,” earned him the prestigious Copley Medal the same year. Ørsted’s work laid the foundation for future advancements in electromagnetism and electrical engineering.
Beyond physics, Ørsted made significant contributions to chemistry, including the discovery of aluminum. In 1824, he founded the Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters, cementing his legacy as one of the most important scientists of the 19th century. Ørsted’s discoveries continue to influence modern science and technology.
12. Founder of the LEGO Group Ole Kirk Christiansen
Ole Kirk Christiansen, a Danish carpenter and entrepreneur, revolutionized the world of play with the founding of the LEGO Group. Born in 1891 in Filskov, Denmark, Christiansen began his career crafting wooden toys. In 1932, he established the LEGO Group, initially focusing on wooden creations.
The true game-changer came in 1949 when Christiansen introduced plastic bricks. These interlocking bricks, which allowed children to build and create endlessly, became the iconic LEGO brick we know today. Under his leadership, the LEGO Group expanded to become one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world.
Christiansen passed away in 1958, but his innovative spirit lives on through the LEGO Group. His legacy as one of the most forward-thinking entrepreneurs of the 20th century is evident in the enduring popularity and creativity inspired by LEGO bricks.
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13. Tennis Star Caroline Wozniacki
Caroline Wozniacki, a Danish professional tennis player, is renowned for her aggressive playing style and formidable forehand. Born in 1990 in Odense, Denmark, Wozniacki picked up a tennis racket at a young age and quickly ascended the ranks of the sport.
Her career is studded with achievements, including winning the 2018 Australian Open and holding the world number one ranking for an impressive 67 weeks. Wozniacki’s resilience and determination on the court have made her a formidable opponent and a fan favorite.
Off the court, Wozniacki is dedicated to philanthropy, particularly in raising awareness for rheumatoid arthritis, a condition she herself was diagnosed with. As an ambassador for the Danish charity KidsAid, she supports children with serious illnesses. Wozniacki’s journey, marked by triumphs and challenges, makes her a role model for aspiring tennis players and anyone striving to make a positive impact.
14. Sculptor and Artist Bertel Thorvaldsen
Bertel Thorvaldsen, a name synonymous with classical beauty and artistic excellence, was a renowned Danish sculptor and artist. Born in Copenhagen in 1770, Thorvaldsen’s journey into the world of art began at the prestigious Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. His early education there laid the foundation for a career that would see him become one of the most celebrated sculptors of his time.
Thorvaldsen was deeply influenced by the classical art of ancient Greece and Rome, a passion that led him to move to Rome in 1797. It was in the Eternal City that he truly flourished, creating masterpieces that would earn him international acclaim. Among his most famous works are “Jason with the Golden Fleece” and “The Three Graces,” sculptures that exemplify his skill and dedication to classical ideals.
His talent did not go unnoticed by the elite of Europe. Thorvaldsen was commissioned by royalty and nobility across the continent to create sculptures and monuments, solidifying his reputation as a master artist. Despite his success abroad, Thorvaldsen never forgot his roots. He returned to Copenhagen in 1838, where he continued to work until his death in 1844.
Thorvaldsen’s legacy is immense. His influence on Danish art and architecture is profound, and his works can be found in museums and galleries around the world. Today, he is celebrated as a national hero in Denmark, a testament to his enduring impact on the world of art.
Final Words about these famous people from Denmark
As we wrap up, it’s clear that Denmark has given the world some pretty amazing people. From groundbreaking scientists to game-changing artists and top athletes, these 14 famous people from Denmark have made a big impact.
Their stories remind us that talent and innovation can come from anywhere, and they’ve set an inspiring example of what can be achieved with passion and dedication. Denmark’s legacy of greatness is definitely something to celebrate, and these figures are a testament to the country’s incredible contributions to the world.
Kierkegaard literally influenced generations of philosopher and theological ,writer.
Yes, he’s a key Copenhagen figure in my book too.
As a dane, I do not see how many of these people have “changed the world”… Few of them are historically influential but most of them are just famous…