The following is a list of Finnish Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants. To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Finnish American or must have references showing they are Finnish American and are notable.

List

Academics, inventors, scientists

* Lars Ahlfors (1907–1996), mathematician, one of the first two people to be awarded the Fields Medal; Wolf Prize winner; William Caspar Graustein Professor of Mathematics at Harvard University * Alfred Aho (born 1941),

computer scientist A computer scientist is a person who is trained in the academic study of computer science. Computer scientists typically work on the theoretical side of computation, as opposed to the hardware side on which computer engineers mainly focus (al ...

best known for his work on programming languages, compilers, and related algorithms, and his textbooks on the art and science of computer programming, as of 2011 he holds the Lawrence Gussman Chair of Computer Science at Columbia University. He served as chair of the department from 1995 to 1997, and again in the spring of 2003 *

Jaakko Hintikka Kaarlo Jaakko Juhani Hintikka (12 January 1929 – 12 August 2015) was a Finnish philosopher and logician. Life and career Hintikka was born in Helsingin maalaiskunta (now Vantaa). In 1953, he received his doctorate from the University of Helsin ...

(1929–2015), professor of philosophy at Boston University; regarded as the founder of formal epistemic logic and of game semantics for logic * Bengt Robert Holmström (born 1949), economist, Nobel Laureate with Oliver Hart "for their contribution to

contract theory From a legal point of view, a contract is an institutional arrangement for the way in which resources flow, which defines the various relationships between the parties to a transaction or limits the rights and obligations of the parties. From an ...

", professor of economics; currently Paul A. Samuelson Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology * Ruth Kaarlela (1919–2018), professor of blindness and vision studies, Western Michigan University; expert on rehabilitation, gerontology *

Benjamin B. Rubinstein Benjamin Björn Rubinstein (April 12, 1905 – July 12, 1989) was a Finnish Jewish–American physician and psychoanalyst. Benjamin B. Rubinstein was born in the Jewish community of Helsinki, Finland, and he attended school both in his home ...

(1905–1989), physician and psychoanalyst; had a practice in New York; wrote extensively on philosophy of psychoanalysis * Linus Torvalds (born 1969), software engineer best known for having initiated the development of the

Linux kernel The Linux kernel is a free and open-source, monolithic, modular, multitasking, Unix-like operating system kernel. It was originally authored in 1991 by Linus Torvalds for his i386-based PC, and it was soon adopted as the kernel for the GNU ope ...

; became a U.S. citizen in September 2010 * Vaino Jack Vehko (1918–1999), automotive engineer; NASA rocket scientist; in 1960 became Director of Engineering on the Saturn S1 and S1B booster rocket program at Chrysler Space Division's Michoud operation in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Saturn boosters successfully launched all the NASA Apollo and Moon missions *

Carl A. Wirtanen Carl Alvar Wirtanen (November 11, 1910 – March 7, 1990) was an American astronomer and discoverer of comets and minor planets who worked at Lick Observatory. He was of Finnish ancestry. Wirtanen was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin. After visitin ...

(1910–1990), astronomer

Arts and literature

Jean M. Auel Jean Marie Auel (; ; born February 18, 1936) is an American writer who wrote the ''Earth's Children'' books, a series of novels set in prehistoric Europe that explores human activities during this time, and touches on the interactions of Cro-Magn ...

(born 1936), author, wrote the ''Earth's Children'' books; her books have sold 34 million copies worldwide in many translations *

Rudy Autio Rudy or Rudi is a masculine given name, sometimes short for Rudolf, Rudolph, Rawad, Rudra, Ruairidh, or variations thereof, a nickname and a surname which may refer to: People Given name or nickname *Rudolf Rudy Andeweg (born 1952), Dutch polit ...

(1926–2007), sculptor * Max Dimont (1912–1992), historian; author of ''Jews, God and History'', which received critical acclaim and has sold over a million and a half copies; has lectured on Jewish history throughout the United States, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, and Finland; author of ''The Indestructible Jews'', ''The Jews in America'', and ''Appointment in Jerusalem'' * Eino Friberg (1901–1995), Protestant Minister and English translator of ''

The Kalevala The ''Kalevala'' ( fi, Kalevala, ) is a 19th-century work of epic poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Karelian and Finnish oral folklore and mythology, telling an epic story about the Creation of the Earth, describing the controversies and ...

'', the Finnish national epic * Rick Hautala (1949–2013), writer * Clifton Karhu (1927-2007), artist in Japan renounced for woodblock prints of Kyoto and Kanazawa * Tiina Nunnally, author and translator *

Emil Petaja Emil Petaja (12 April 1915 – 17 August 2000) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer whose career spanned seven decades. He was the author of 13 published novels, nearly 150 short stories, numerous poems, and a handful of books and ...

, author *

Hannu Rajaniemi Hannu Rajaniemi (born 9 March 1978) is a Finnish American author of science fiction and fantasy, who writes in both English and Finnish. He lives in Oakland, California, and was a founding director of a commercial research organisation ThinkTan ...

, science fiction author * Eero Saarinen (1910–1961), architect and product designer of the 20th century, famous for his simple, sweeping, arching structural curves * Eliel Saarinen (1873–1950), architect who became famous for his art nouveau buildings in the early 20th century *

Haddon Sundblom Haddon Hubbard "Sunny" Sundblom (June 22, 1899 – March 10, 1976) was an American artist of Swedish and Finnish descent and best known for the images of Santa Claus he created for The Coca-Cola Company. Sundblom's friend Lou Prentice was the ...

, artist * Wallace Wood,

comics a medium used to express ideas with images, often combined with text or other visual information. It typically the form of a sequence of panels of images. Textual devices such as speech balloons, captions, and onomatopoeia can indicate ...

artist ( EC Comics, '' Mad Magazine'', Marvel Comics)

Business

Bill Aho Bill Aho is an American businessman who is a partner with The SagePoint Group, a management consulting firm. He received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota Duluth and an MBA from the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Management ...

(born 1957), businessman who is a partner with The SagePoint Group, a management consulting firm, served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning for Darden Restaurants and was instrumental in turning around the Red Lobster business. * Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors *

Mike Markkula Armas Clifford "Mike" Markkula Jr. (; born February 11, 1942) is an American electrical engineer, businessman and investor. He was the original angel investor, first chairman, and second CEO for Apple Computer, Inc., providing critical early fu ...

(born 1942), entrepreneur; angel investor and second CEO of Apple Computer, Inc.; provided early critical funding and managerial support; known as Apple employee #3 * Marissa Mayer interview in 2011 I

Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo and former Google executive * Gustave Niebaum (1842–1908), established Inglenook Winery in Napa Valley, California, the first Bordeaux style winery in the US *

Oscar Wirkkala Oscar Wirkkala (; October 30, 1880 – January 25, 1959) was a Finnish-American logger and inventor who spent much of his life in the Pacific Northwest. Background Oscar Wirkkala was born in Kaustinen, Finland. His father Abraham and brother Andre ...

(1880–1959), logger and inventor, developed the high lead method of logging, which revolutionized the industry; also invented important pieces of that industry's machinery used during the first half of the 20th century

Film and television

* Pamela Anderson, actress, father is of part Finnish ancestry * Richard Dean Anderson, paternal grandfather came from Finland * Maude Apatow (born 1997), actress *

Lucas Bryant Lucas Bryant (born September 28, 1978) is a Canadian-American actor. Bryant is most well known for his role as Nathan Wuornos in the Syfy TV channel series '' Haven'' (2010–2015). Early life Bryant was born in Elmira, Ontario, Canada to Susan ...

, actor * Austin Butler, actor, Finnish on maternal side * David Chokachi (born 1968), actor, mother is of Finnish descent * Matt Damon (born 1970), award-winning screenwriter and actor, mother is of partial Finnish descent * Eric Dane (born 1972), actor *

Alexa Davalos Alexa Davalos Dunas (born May 28, 1982) is an American actress. Her early role as Gwen Raiden on the fourth season of the TV series ''Angel'' (2002–03) was followed by some Hollywood films, including ''The Chronicles of Riddick'' (2004), ''F ...

(born 1982), actress, mother is of partial Finnish descent * Elyssa Davalos (born 1959), actress, father was of partial Finnish descent *

Richard Davalos Richard Davalos (November 5, 1930 – March 8, 2016) was an American stage, film, and television actor. Early life Davalos was born in New York City of Spanish and Finnish descent. At age six, he acted in a school performance of ''Cinderel ...

(1930–2016), actor; starred in ''East of Eden'' (1955) as James Dean's brother; portrayed the convict Blind Dick in ''Cool Hand Luke'' (1967); won the Theatre World Award for his performance in the Arthur Miller play ''A Memory of Two Mondays'' in 1955; fa is of Finnish descent *

Anna Easteden Anna Easteden (born 29 November 1976) is a Finnish-American actress. Her film appearances include ''The House of Branching Love'' (2009) and ''Sideways'' (2009). She is known for her performance as "Bee Sting" in ''Who Wants to Be a Superhero? ...

(born 1976), actress; ''The House of Branching Love'' (2009) and ''Sideways'' (2009); co-starred in soap operas ''Passions'' and ''Days Of Our Lives'', and the series ''Bones'' * Taina Elg (born 1931), Golden Globe-winning film and stage actress * Nathan Fillion (born 1970), actor *

George Gaynes George Gaynes (born George Jongejans; May 16, 1917 – February 15, 2016) was a Finnish-born American singer, actor, and voice artist. Born to Dutch and Russian-Finnish parents in the Grand Duchy of Finland of the Russian Empire, he served in the ...

(1917–2016), film actor, known for his role as Commandant Eric Lassard in the '' Police Academy'' film series * Renny Harlin (born 1959), producer and director; immigrant from Finland *

Crystal Hayes Crystal Hayes (born September 25, 1984) is an American model, beauty pageant titleholder and actress. She was crowned Miss Michigan USA 2005 and competed at Miss USA pageant in Baltimore, Maryland, placing as a semi-finalist in 2005. Career Af ...

(born 1984), model and actress * Brian Heidik (born 1968), won $1,000,000 on the Thailand edition of ''Survivor'' *

Nancy Juvonen Nancy Juvonen (born May 18, 1967) is an American film producer. She and Drew Barrymore own the production company Flower Films. Early life Juvonen was born in Connecticut and raised in Mill Valley, California. Of Finnish descent, she is the dau ...

(born 1967), American-Finnish film producer; with Drew Barrymore, co-owner of production company Flower Films; produced ''Never been Kissed'' (1999), ''Charlie's Angels'' (2000), ''Donnie Darko'' (2002), ''Charlie's Angels – Full Throttle'' (2003); wife of comedian and talk show host Jimmy Fallon *

Paul Kangas Paul Henry Kangas (April 14, 1937 – February 28, 2017) was the Miami-based co-anchor of the PBS television program ''Nightly Business Report'', a role he held from 1979, when the show was a local PBS program in Miami, through December 31, 2009. ...

, host of '' Nightly Business Report'' television program *

Vincent Kartheiser Vincent Paul Kartheiser (born May 5, 1979) is an American actor. He played Pete Campbell on the AMC television series ''Mad Men'', for which he received six Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a ...

(born 1979), actor, known for his role in '' Mad Men'', has distant Finnish ancestry *

Marta Kristen Marta Kristen is a Norwegian-born American actress. Kristen is best known for her role as Judy Robinson, the oldest child of Professor John Robinson and his wife, Maureen, in the television series ''Lost in Space'' (1965–1968). Her character w ...

(born 1945), perhaps best known for her role as the character "Judy Robinson" in the cult television series ''Lost in Space'' * Christine Lahti (born 1950), film actress, paternal grandparents were immigrants from Finland * Jessica Lange (born 1949), two-time Academy Award-winning film actress, maternal grandparents were of Finnish descent * Dick Latvala (1943–1999), tape archivist for the Grateful Dead *

Scott Lautanen Scott Lautanen is an American television director and producer. His credits include '' Pacific Blue'', '' The Pretender'', '' Pensacola: Wings of Gold'', ''FreakyLinks'', ''Numb3rs'', ''Bones'', ''Moonlight'', '' Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chro ...

, television director and producer *

David Lynch David Keith Lynch (born January 20, 1946) is an American filmmaker, visual artist and actor. A recipient of an Academy Honorary Award in 2019, Lynch has received three Academy Award nominations for Best Director, and the César Award for Be ...

(born 1946), director, mother is of part Finnish ancestry * Leslie Mann (born 1972), actress who has appeared in numerous films, including '' The Cable Guy'' (1996), ''

George of the Jungle ''George of the Jungle'' is an American animated television series produced and created by Jay Ward and Bill Scott, who also created ''The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show''. The character George was inspired by the story of Tarzan and a cartoon char ...

'' (1997), ''

Big Daddy Big Daddy may refer to: Arts and entertainment Characters * Big Daddy (''BioShock''), a heavily armored adversary in the ''BioShock'' video game series * Big Daddy (Transformers), a character from ''Transformers'' * A character in the Tennesse ...

'' (1999), '' The 40-Year-Old Virgin'' (2005), '' Knocked Up'' (2007), '' 17 Again'' (2009), '' Funny People'' (2009), '' This Is 40'' (2012), and '' Blockers'' (2018) *

Lisa Niemi Lisa Niemi Swayze (born May 26, 1956) is an American writer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and director. She is the widow of actor and dancer Patrick Swayze. Early life Lisa Anne Haapaniemi was born in Houston, Texas, the only daughter of s ...

(born 1956), actress, director and choreographer Marian Nixon photop1124

Marian Nixon Marian Nixon (born Marja Nissinen; October 20, 1904 – February 13, 1983) was an American film actress. Sometimes credited as Marion Nixon, she appeared in more than 70 films. Career Born in Superior, Wisconsin, to parents of Finnish descent, N ...

(1904–1983), actress * Maila Nurmi (1921–2008), creator of the well-remembered 1950s character of Vampira * Catherine Oxenberg (born 1961), actress *

Ethan Peck Ethan Gregory Peck (born March 2, 1986) is an American actor. He is the grandson of actor Gregory Peck and Greta Kukkonen, the elder Peck's first wife. In 2019, he played a young Spock in '' Star Trek: Discovery'' (2019), a role he has reprised fo ...

(born 1986), actor *

Bonnie Pietila Bonita Pietila (born January 14, 1953) is a casting director and producer. She is best known for her work on '' The Simpsons'', with which she has won three Emmy Awards (in 1998, 2000, and 2001). Pietila has been with the series since its beginni ...

, casting director and producer for ''The Simpsons'' * Joyce Randolph (born Joyce Sirola, 1924–2024), actress, best known for playing Trixie Norton on ''The Honeymooners'' * Allison Rosati (born 1963), journalist, paternal Finnish ancestry *

Eric Saarinen Eric Saarinen (born 26 June 1942) is a Finnish Americans, Finnish American cinematographer and film director. His parents were the architect Eero Saarinen and his first wife, the sculptor Lilian Swann Saarinen. Saarinen has photographed sev ...

(born 1942), cinematographer, son of Eero Saarinen * Albert Salmi (1928–1990), film and television actor *

Steve Schubert Steven William Schubert (born March 15, 1951) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. He played in six seasons in the NFL (1974-1979) for the New England Patriots and Chicago Bears. He played college footbal ...

(born 1951), football player, paternal grandmother was a Finnish immigrant * Vanessa Williams (born 1963), singer, actress, producer, former fashion model; first African American to be crowned Miss America; a DNA test revealed she is 12% Finnish * Marsha Garces Williams, film producer and mom of Zelda Williams * Zelda Williams (born 1989), actress, daughter of Robin Williams; mother of partial Finnish descent * Renée Zellweger (born 1969), actress and producer; mother of partial Finnish descent * Daphne Zuniga, actress, mother of partial Finnish descent

Military personnel

Johannes Anderson Johannes Seigfried Anderson (July 20, 1887 – April 15, 1950) was a Finnish-born U.S. Army soldier during World War I, and a Medal of Honor recipient. Biography Little is known of Anderson's early life, other than that he was born in Finlan ...

(1887–1950), Finnish-born U.S. Army soldier during World War I; Medal of Honor recipient * Reino Hayhanen (1920–1961), U.S. spy; Soviet Lt. Colonel who defected to the U.S. during the Cold War; helped break open the Hollow Nickel Case which led to the capture of top Soviet spies in the U.S. looking for atomic secrets

Timothy L. Kopra Timothy Lennart "Tim" Kopra (born April 9, 1963) is an engineer, a Colonel in the United States Army and a retired NASA astronaut. He served aboard the International Space Station as a flight engineer for Expedition 20, returning to Earth aboard ...

(born 1963), astronaut; flew missions on the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Discovery; U.S. Army Colonel; Desert Storm veteran; Bronze Star recipient; West Point graduate * Lauri Törni (1919–1965), Finnish Army Captain who led an infantry company in Finnish Winter and Continuation Wars; moved to the United States after World War II and adopted the name Larry Thorne; served with the U.S. Army Special Forces in Vietnam War; killed in Laos while on a clandestine mission *

Dale Eugene Wayrynen Dale Eugene Wayrynen (January 18, 1947 – May 18, 1967) was a United States Army enlisted soldier and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Vietnam War. Biography Wayrynen joined the Ar ...

(1947–1967), U.S. Army enlisted soldier; recipient of the Medal of Honor, America's highest military decoration, for his actions in the Vietnam War *

Carl E. Vuono Carl Edward Vuono (born October 18, 1934) is a retired United States Army general who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1987 to 1991. Early life and career Vuono was born on October 18, 1934 in Monongahela, Pennsylvania ...

(born 1934), retired United States Army general who served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1987 to 1991. *

Olavi Alakulppi Olavi Eelis Alakulppi (17 July 1915 – 19 August 1990) was a Finnish military officer and cross-country skier. Life and career Alakulppi was born in Rovaniemi, Finland, to Elis and Senja Alakulppi (née Törmänen). Alakulppi served in the Finn ...

(1915-1990), Finnish Army Captain and recipient of the

Mannerheim cross The Mannerheim Cross ( fi, Mannerheim-risti, sv, Mannerheimkorset), officially Mannerheim Cross of the Cross of Liberty ( fi, Vapaudenristin Mannerheim-risti, link=no, sv, Frihetskorsets Mannerheimkors, link=no) is the most distinguished Finnish ...

, who later moved to the US enlisting in the US army and retiring at the rank of

Lieutenant Colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...

Musicians

Sylvester Ahola Sylvester Ahola (May 24, 1902 – February 13, 1995), a.k.a. Hooley, was a classic jazz trumpeter and cornetist born in Gloucester, Massachusetts. His parents, Sophia and John Ahola, were born in Finland. He became most popular in England rath ...

, jazz musician *

Muriel Anderson Muriel Anderson (born June 17, 1960) is an American fingerstyle guitarist and harp guitarist who plays in many genres. She is the first woman to win the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship. Career Muriel Anderson was born in Downers Grove ...

(born 1960), guitarist and harp-guitarist * Carla Harvey (born 1976), singer * Jillian Hervey (born 1989), singer and dancer *

Mark Hoppus Mark Allan Hoppus (born March 15, 1972) is an American musician, songwriter and record producer best known as the bassist and co-lead vocalist for the rock band Blink-182, being the only constant member and the only one to appear on every album. ...

(born 1972), bass player in Blink-182 * Jorma Kaukonen (born 1940), blues, folk and rock guitarist * Peter Kaukonen (born 1945), blues, folk and rock guitarist; younger brother of Jorma Kaukonen * David Mustaine (born 1961), musician best known as the co-founder, vocalist, lead guitarist, and primary songwriter of American heavy metal band

Megadeth Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along wit ...

* Jaco Pastorius (1951–1987), influential jazz bassist *

Wilho Saari Wilho F. Saari (July 7, 1932 – January 19, 2022) was a Finnish American player of the kantele, the Finnish psaltery. Kreeta Haapasalo, a well-known kantele player in Finland in the 19th century, was his great-great grandmother. His father, Wil ...

, Kantele musician *

Hiski Salomaa Hiski Salomaa (born Hiskias Möttö; May 17, 1891 – July 7, 1957) was a Finnish-American singer and songwriter. Career Referred to as the Finnish Woody Guthrie, Salomaa's songs portrayed the immigrant experience of working-class Finns. Betw ...

(1891–1957), folk singer and songwriter * Esa-Pekka Salonen (born 1958), orchestral conductor and composer; Principal Conductor and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic *

T-Bone Slim Matti Valentin Huhta (February 14, 1880 – May 15, 1942), better known by his pen name T-Bone Slim, was an American humorist, poet, songwriter, hobo, and labor activist, who played a prominent role in the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). ...

(1890?–1942?), humourist, poet, songwriter, hobo, and a labour activist in the Industrial Workers of the World * Einar Aaron Swan, jazz musician *

David Uosikkinen David Uosikkinen (born February 11, 1956) is an American drummer and Internet content manager, best known for being a member of rock band The Hooters. Early life Born in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania, U.S., Uosikkinen grew up in Levittown, Pennsylv ...

(born 1956), rock drummer * Osmo Vänskä (born 1953), orchestral conductor, clarinetist and composer; music director of the Minnesota Orchestra * Bobby Vee (1943–2016), rock singer, 1960s teen idol, Finnish on his mother's side (Tapanila) *

Charles Wuorinen Charles Peter Wuorinen (; June 9, 1938 – March 11, 2020) was an American composer of contemporary classical music based in New York City. He performed his works and other 20th-century music as pianist and conductor. He composed more than ...

(1938–2020), Pulitzer Prize-winning composer

Dance

Shura Baryshnikov Aleksandra Lange "Shura" Baryshnikov (born March 5, 1981) is an American dancer, choreographer, dance educator, and actress. Early life Aleksandra Lange Baryshnikov is the daughter of ballet dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and actress Jessica La ...

(born 1981), dancer and choreographer * Carolyn Carlson (born 1943), choreographer and performer

Politics

* Gregory Nevala Calvert (1937–2005), National Secretary of Students for a Democratic Society, 1966–67 * Gus Hall (1910–2000), labor organizer, a founder of the United Steelworkers of America trade union; a leader of the Communist Party USA; five-time U.S. presidential candidate *

Cheri Honkala Cheri Lynn Honkala (; born January 12, 1963) is an American anti-poverty advocate, co-founder of the Kensington Welfare Rights Union (KWRU) and co-founder and National Coordinator of the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign. She has been ...

(born 1963), the Green Party's nominee for vice-president in the 2012 U.S. presidential election *

Emil Hurja Emil Edward Hurja (January 22, 1892 – May 30, 1953) 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. He was ...

(1892–1953), pioneer of political opinion polling; a top advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt; appeared on the cover of ''Time'' magazine in March 1936 *

Oscar Larson Oscar John Larson (May 20, 1871 – August 1, 1957) was a U.S. Representative from Minnesota. Life Larson was born in a Swedish-speaking family in Uleåborg in the Grand Duchy of Finland (then part of the Russian Empire). He immigrated to th ...

(1871–1957), U.S. Representative from Minnesota, Republican, lawyer * Marko Liias (born 1981), Washington State Democratic Senator representing the 21st legislative district . Former member of the Washington House of Representatives, 2020 candidate for Lieutenant Governor *

Robert W. Mattson, Jr. Robert W. (Bob) Mattson Jr. (born May 31, 1948) is an American lawyer who held elective political office in Minnesota, and is also involved in various business ventures in Florida, Colorado and Canada. He served one term as Minnesota State Aud ...

(1948–2012), Minnesota State Auditor, 1975–1979; Minnesota State Treasurer, 1983–1987 *

Robert W. Mattson, Sr. Robert William (Bob) Mattson Sr. (August 26, 1924 – March 14, 1982) was an American army veteran, lawyer, and politician in Minnesota, where he was the state Attorney General from 1964 to 1967. He was a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Lab ...

(1924–1982), Minnesota State Attorney General, 1964–1967 JohnMorton

* John Morton (1724–1777), signer of the Declaration of Independence; delegate who cast the deciding vote in favor of Pennsylvania's support for United States Declaration of Independence *

William A. Niskanen William Arthur Niskanen (; March 13, 1933 – October 26, 2011) was an American economist. He was one of the architects of Reaganomics, President Ronald Reagan's economic program and contributed to public choice theory. He was also a long-time ch ...

, chairman of the Cato Institute *

William Alex Stolt William Alex Stolt (July 5, 1900 – February 28, 2001) served as mayor of Anchorage, Alaska from 1941 to 1944. Biography William Alex Stolt was born to Finnish parents in Boston, Massachusetts on July 5, 1900. He spent the first ten years ...

(1900–2001), mayor of Anchorage, Alaska, 1941–1944 *

Oskari Tokoi Antti Oskari Tokoi (15 April 1873 – 4 April 1963) was a Finnish people, Finnish socialist who served as a leader of the Social Democratic Party of Finland. In 1917 Tokoi acted as a Chairman of the Senate of Finland and thus he was the world’s ...

(1873–1963), Finnish politician *

John Raymond Ylitalo John Raymond Ylitalo (December 25, 1916 – February 10, 1987), also known as J. Raymond Ylitalo, was an American diplomat and the 29th United States Ambassador to Paraguay (1969–1972). Early years Ylitalo was born to Jussi and Saima Maria (né ...

(1916–1987), U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay; career U.S. Foreign Service Officer

Sports

* Lars Anderson, wrestler * Michael Anti, sport shooter * Randy Carlyle, ice hockey player, coach * Dick Enberg (1935–2017), former sportscaster for the San Diego Padres, CBS, and ESPN *

Link Gaetz Link Gaetz (born October 2, 1968) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars and San Jose Sharks. NHL career Gaetz was drafted in the second round, 40th overall in t ...

, ice hockey player * Drew Gooden Wizards

Drew Gooden Andrew Melvin Gooden III (born September 24, 1981) is an American former professional basketball player who is currently a broadcaster for NBC Sports Washington. The power forward played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). ...

, NBA player; Finnish mother *

Dwight Helminen Dwight Edward Helminen (born June 22, 1983) is an American former professional ice hockey center who most recently played with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL. His brother Lars plays with Linz EHC of the EBEL. Playing career Helminen was born in ...

, ice hockey player *

Lars Helminen Lars Helminen (born January 1, 1985) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played in the ECHL, SM-Liiga, and Austrian Hockey League., retrieved July 15, 2015 His brother, Dwight, played parts of two seasons in the National ...

, ice hockey player *

Shawn Huff Shawn Christopher Huff (born May 5, 1984) is a Finnish professional basketball player for the Helsinki Seagulls of the Finnish Korisliiga. Huff played college basketball at Valparaiso from 2004–2008. Shawn Huff plays for Finland national baske ...

, basketball player for the Finnish national team; Finnish mother * Tristan Jeskanen, luger * Kai Kantola, ice hockey player * Teemu Kivihalme, ice hockey player *

William Kolehmainen August William Kolehmainen (December 30, 1887 – June 26, 1967), known in Finland as Viljami Kolehmainen, was a Finnish-American long-distance runner and track and field coach. The brother of fellow runners Hannes and Tatu, William Kolehmainen ...

(1887–1967), long-distance runner *

Jeff Lahti Jeffrey Allen Lahti (born October 8, 1956) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an alumnus of Portland State University. Early life Lahti was born in Oregon City on October 8, 1956 to parents Marlene and Bob. Following their divorce, ...

, Major League Baseball pitcher * Gerald Lee, basketball player for the Finnish national team; Finnish mother * Kristi Leskinen, freestyle skier * Chico Maki, ice hockey player *

Wayne Maki Wayne may refer to: People with the given name and surname * Wayne (given name) * Wayne (surname) Geographical Places with name ''Wayne'' may take their name from a person with that surname; the most famous such person was Gen. "Mad" Anthon ...

, ice hockey player *

John Michaelson John August Michaelson (August 12, 1893 – April 16, 1968) was a professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in two games in Major League Baseball in 1921 for the Chicago White Sox. As of 2019, he is the only major league player to have been b ...

, only Major League Baseball player born in Finland * Alex Murphy, NCAA basketball player and brother of Erik Murphy; Finnish mother * Erik Murphy, basketball player for the Finnish national team; Finnish mother *

Matt Niskanen Matthew Norman Niskanen (born December 6, 1986) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia ...

, ice hockey player *

Dan O'Brien Daniel Dion O'Brien (born July 18, 1966) is an American former decathlete and Olympic gold medalist. He won the Olympic title in 1996, three consecutive world championships (1991, 1993, 1995), and set the world record in 1992. Early life O'Br ...

(born 1966), former American decathlete, deemed one of the best decathlon athletes of the 1990s, winning an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in 1996 after winning three consecutive world titles * Will Ohman, Major League Baseball pitcher *

Blake Pietila Blake Chester Pietila (born February 20, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey left winger who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL). Pietila was drafted b ...

, ice hockey player * Luke Putkonen, Major League Baseball pitcher *

Pete Rasmus Peter Rasmus (May 5, 1906 – February 6, 1975) was an American discus thrower. Rasmus won the NCAA discus championship in 1929, breaking the meeting record and exceeding the officially listed world record. Career Rasmus attended Ohio State Un ...

(1906–1975), discus thrower *

Rudy Rintala Rudolph Alexander Rintala (February 6, 1909 – December 11, 1999) was an American collegiate athlete from 1928 to 1932 who starred in football, baseball, basketball, and track and field at Stanford University. Regarded as an all-time great of t ...

(1909–1999), four-sport collegiate athlete and hall-of-famer at Stanford University *

Brian Salonen Brian Scott Salonen (born July 29, 1961) is a former American football tight end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) or the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Montana. Early years Salonen attended Gr ...

, football player * Kevin Tapani, Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs, 1989–2001 *

Nick Theslof Nick Theslof (born December 12, 1975) is an American soccer manager and coach, who was midfield coach and international scout to Jürgen Klinsmann at FC Bayern Munich. He is currently an assistant coach for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. He wa ...

, soccer player and coach; first American player to play in Europe *

Tyler Varga John Tyler Varga (born September 24, 1993) is a dual Finnish-Canadian former professional American football fullback. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2015. Varga played college football at University ...

, retired NFL running back for Indianapolis Colts; Finnish mother

Other

* Carrie Keranen, voice actress, production manager, producer and voice director * Armi Kuusela, winner of the first Miss Universe beauty contest *

Miriam Patchen Miriam Patchen (née Oikemus, September 28, 1914 – March 6, 2000) was the wife and muse of poet and novelist Kenneth Patchen, who dedicated each of his more than 40 books to his wife. He also wrote and published a large number of love poems for Mi ...

, peace activist * Aileen Wuornos, serial killer, mother is of Finnish descent

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Americans With Finnish Ancestry Finnish Americans Lists of Finnish people Finnish