Many Danes have contributed to world-wide entertainment, discoveries and the transformation of culture. Here are a few Danes who have impacted American life and culture.
Royalty
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His Majesty King Frederik X 1968 -
His Majesty The King, Count of Monpezat ascended to the throne on January 14, 2024.
Born on May 26, 1968, he is the son of Queen Margrethe II and Prince Henrik. His Majesty has served in all three branches of the Danish military and earned a master's degree in political science from Aarhus University. He has also served as a diplomat and is an avid sportsman. Known for his dedication to public service and social issues, King Frederik has actively promoted environmental sustainability and cultural initiatives.
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Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II 1940 -
Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II is the former Queen of Denmark and Greenland and protector of the Museum of Danish America. She reigned as Queen of Denmark from January 14, 1972 to January 14, 2024.
She has worked as a scenographer, costume designer, and illustrator. She is particularly known for her illustrations of books, plays, and movies, including The Lord of the Rings and The Wild Swans.
Literature
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Kierkegaard, Søren Aabye 1813 - 1855
A philosopher and writer. Kierkegaard is among other things known as “the father of existentialism”.
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Blixen, Karen 1885 - 1962
A writer, who published her books under synonym names – e.g. Isak Dinesen. The life of Karen Blixen is depicted in the movie 'Out of Africa' 1985, starring Meryl Streep as Karen Blixen.
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Andersen, Hans Christian 1805 - 1875
The writer and poet of novels, plays, fairy tales, and poems.
Movies
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Mikkelsen, Mads 1965 -
Currently one of Denmark's most popular movie actors. He is well known from "Flickering Lights" (2000), "Casino Royale" (2006), "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016), and the TV series "Hannibal" (2013 - 2015).
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Mortensen, Viggo 1958 -
A Danish-American actor, son of a Danish father and an American mother. He is famous for his roles in "The Lord of the Rings" (2001-2003), "A History of Violence" (2005), and "Captain Fantastic" (2016)
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Nielsen, Connie 1965 -
Born on July 3, 1965, in Elling, Frederikshavn, Denmark, Connie Nielsen is an actress who has appeared in countless movies and tv shows including Wonder Woman, Gladiator, The Good Wife, Return to Sender, One Hour Photo, and The Devil’s Advocate. Nielsen has also starred in and served as the executive producer for the Danish mini-series, The Dreamer: Becoming Karen Blixen.
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Trier, Lars von 1956 -
A movie director. Lars von Trier has received recognition for his work through several awards. Some of his best known movies are: "Breaking the Waves" (1996), "Dogville" (2003), and "Antichrist", (2009).
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August, Bille 1948 -
Born on November 9, 1948, in Brede, Denmark, Bille August is a director, screenwriter, and cinematographer of film and television. His 1987 film Pelle the Conqueror won the Palme d’Or, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He is one of only ten directors to win the Palm d’Or twice, winning the award again in 1992 for The Best Intentions.
In 2023, Bille directed a Danish romantic comedy period drama written by his son Anders and based on a 1963 novella by Karen Blixen, Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction. Queen Margrethe II designed 51 costumes for the film, as well as 81 decoupages that made up the basis for the sets.
Bille's other movies include The House of Spirits (1993), Smilla’s Sense of Snow (1992), Return to Sender (2004), and Marie Krøyer (2012).
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Bier, Susanne 1960 -
A movie director. Won the Oscar for best foreign language film in 2011 with her movie "In a Better World".
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Borge, Victor 1909 - 2000
A humorist and entertainer, who settled in the US after fleeing Denmark when it was occupied by the Nazis during World War II.
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Christensen, Jesper 1948 -
A Danish actor. Has won several awards for his performances. Is also known for playing Mr. White in the James Bond movies "Casino Royale" (2006), "Quantum of Solace" (2008), and "Spectre" (2015).
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Coster-Waldau, Nikolaj 1970 -
A Danish actor. He has stared in several Danish and American films and tv series most notably "New Amsterdam" (2008) and "Game of Thrones" (2011 - 2018). His films include "Enigma" (2001), "Mama" (2013), and "A Second Chance" (2014).
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Johansson, Scarlett 1984 -
Actress. Born in New York to a Danish father and American mother. Famous for her roles in "Lost in Translation" (2003) and "Girl with a Pearl Earring" (2003), and "Avengers" (2012).
Visual Arts
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Riis, Jacob 1849 - 1914
Born in Ribe and moved to New York. Riis is most famous for his revealing photographs of the New York slums and his book "How The Other Half Lives" (1890).
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Thorvaldsen, Bertel 1770 - 1844
Sculptor. He lived most of his life in Rome and is the only protestant ever to have work exhibited in St. Peter's Church. His museum in Copenhagen is one of the most popular attractions and his sculptures are widely copied and have been highly influential.
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Utzon, Jørn 1918 - 2008
Danish architect and designer of the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
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Wiinblad, Bjørn 1918 - 2006
Famous Danish painter, designer, and artist in ceramics. Was appointed chief designer of the German brand Rosenthal in 1957. He is known for his highly recognizable style, which often features colorful and decorative imagery.
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Borglum, Gutzon 1867 - 1941
An artist and sculptor born of Danish immigrants, famous for creating the monumental presidents' heads at Mount Rushmore, South Dakota.
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Jensen, Jens 1860 - 1951
Landscape architect and Danish immigrant. He designed elements of the Chicago Park system and worked with Frank Lloyd Wright. Jensen pioneered “the prairie school” of landscape architecture that focused attention on using native plantings to emulate natural environments.
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Jorn, Asgar 1914 - 1973
Danish painter and essayist. Founding member of the Situationist International and COBRA, an European avant-garde movement, active from 1949-1952.
Modeling
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Thomsen, Cecilie 1974 -
A fashion model who starred in 'Tomorrow Never Dies' 1997 as Inga Bergstrom.
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Christensen, Helena 1968 -
A fashion model, working as one of the leading supermodels of the 1990's.
Design
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Hein, Piet 1905 - 1996
Danish scientist, designer, poet, and author. Hein is most famous for his "Grook's" books and his "Superegg."
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Jacobsen, Arne 1902 - 1971
Danish architect and designer. Part of the "Danish Modern" style. Jacobsen is famous for his furniture designs, such as 'The Egg Chair', 'The Ant Chair' and 'The Swan Chair'.
Music
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Melchior, Lauritz 1890 - 1973
A Danish immigrant who was famous for his performances as a tenor in Wagnerian operas. Between 1944 and 1952, Melchior performed in 5 Hollywood musical films for MGM and Paramount Pictures and made numerous US television appearances.
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Nielsen, Carl August 1865 - 1931
A composer. Internationally Carl Nielsen is best known for his six symphonies. Of these the best known are Symphony no. 2, 'The Four Temperaments', and 'Symphony no. 4 The Inextinguishable'.
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Ruders, Poul 1949 -
Organist and composer. He has written chamber music and music for solo instruments. One of the most played and influential composers of the post war years.
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Ullrich, Lars 1963 -
The drummer of the Heavy Metal band Metallica.
Food
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Redzepi, Rene 1977 -
Chef and co-founder of the Copenhagen restaurant 'Noma'. Noma was listed by Restaurant Magazine as the best restaurant in the world. The name Noma is a contraction of the words "nordisk" (Nordic) and "mad" (food).
Business
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McKinney Møller, Arnold Mærsk 1913 - 2012
Son of Arnold Peter Møller. McKinney Møller was the chairman and CEO between 1965 and 1993. McKinney Møller was the first non-American member of the board of IBM between 1970 and 1984.
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Møller, Arnold Peter 1876 - 1965
Founder of the A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, known as Mærsk, in 1904. Mærsk is the largest shipping company in the world.
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William S. Knudsen 1879 - 1948
A leading automotive industry executive and an American general during World War II.
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Christiansen, Ole Kirk 1891 - 1958
Founder of LEGO. LEGO is a short name for "leg godt" (play well).
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Clausen, Jørgen M. 1948 -
The Danfoss Group's President and CEO between 1996 and 2011. The Danfoss Group is a global producer of components and solutions for refrigeration and air, heating and water, and motion controls.
Exploration
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Rasmussen, Knud 1879 - 1933
Greenlandic polar explorer and anthropologist. The first to cross the Northwest Passage via dog sled.
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Bering, Vitus 1681 - 1741
Explorer. The first person to sail through the Bering Strait (1728) thus proving that the American and Asien continents are separate.
Science
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Ørsted, Hans Christian 1777 - 1851
A physicist who discovered electron magnetism and aluminum.
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Bohr, Niels Henrik David 1885 - 1965
A physicist. Bohr received the Nobel Prize in physics in 1922 for his services in the investigation of the structure of atoms and of the radiation emanating from them.
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Brahe, Tycho 1546 - 1601
An astronomer and scientist who has had a great influence on the development of astronomy and science in general.
Sports
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Kristensen, Tom 1967 -
Racing driver, most famous for his 8 wins in the 24 hours Le Mans.
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Laudrup, Brian 1969 -
A retired professional soccer player. Was named by 'Pele' as two of the top 125 greatest living soccer players. Laudrup played on several top teams in Europe.
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Laudrup, Michael 1964 -
A retired professional soccer player who played on some of the top teams throughout Europe, Juventus in Italy and Barcelona in Spain.
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Riis, Bjarne 1964 -
Retired cyclist, won the Tour de France in 1996, and is now the owner of cycling team Saxobank-Sungard.
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Wozniacki, Caroline 1990 -
Professional tennis player.
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Andersen, Morten 1960 -
Morten Andersen was an NFL kicker, starting his career in 1981 at Michigan College. He retired in 2008.
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Bjørn, Thomas 1971 -
Golfer, he is one of the most successful Danish golfer with 14 worldwide wins.
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Carstensen, Jacob 1978 -
A swimmer who won the world title in the 400m freestyle at the 1997 FINA Short Course World Championships.
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Friis, Lotte 1988 -
In 2009 won Friis the World Champions in 800m freestyle.
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Jacobsen, Mette 1973 -
A championships swimmer. World champion in 1995, 1999, and 2000. Her specialties are backstroke and butterfly.