Didn't know about Pamela Anderson's Finnish heritage? Here are 10 other famous Finns who may surprise you

Pamela Anderson’s connection to Finland runs deeper than a distant line on a family tree. As revealed in her Vogue Scandinavia cover story, her Finnish heritage is woven into the very architecture of her imagination – shaped by her beloved grandfather Herman Hyytiäinen, the poet-logger who filled her childhood with folklore, fairies, and the spell-like cadence of the Finnish language. It is a lineage she has been increasingly open about revisiting, from her 2007 Midsummer trip to meet relatives to her recent reflections on the name she sometimes wishes she could reclaim: Pamela Hyytiäinen.

Related: “I'm feeling very Scandinavian”: Pamela Anderson reflects on her roots

Anderson, of course, is far from the only recognisable figure with roots reaching back to Finland. Waves of Finnish migration across the 19th and 20th centuries – particularly to North America’s northern states and the Canadian West – left behind an expansive cultural footprint. As a result, many familiar names in film, music, sports, and beyond carry a thread of Finnish ancestry, often more subtly than one might assume.

Below, we trace that heritage and spotlight 10 notable personalities you may not have realised share in a Finnish lineage with Anderson.

With an impressive Hollywood lineage as the daughter of actress Leslie Mann and director Judd Apatow, Maude Apatow has carved her own space in the acting world. She is perhaps best recognised for her compelling portrayal of Lexi Howard in the critically acclaimed series Euphoria, but has been acting since a young age.

Less widely known is that Apatow’s story carries a Scandinavian thread. On her mother’s side, her lineage reaches all the way to Finland, tracing back to her maternal great-grandmother – a subtle but fascinating connection that places the rising star within the wider tapestry of Finnish heritage.

We can’t help but feel a thrill in the revelation that the internet’s reigning heartthrob, Austin Butler, carries a thread of Finnish heritage. The connection may be delicate – traced back to his maternal great-great-grandparents, who left the coastal town of Hanko for the United States in the early 1900s – but it’s enough for us to happily claim the Elvis star as an honorary member of the Scandinavian fold.

However subtle the lineage, it offers a perfectly charming excuse to cheer a little louder for whatever cinematic chapter Butler embraces next.

When it comes to heritage, Oscar-winner Matt Damon also struck genetic gold: the actor boasts substantial Finnish ancestry. The connection traces back to his maternal great-grandparents, weaving a distinctly Nordic thread through his background. And while the DNA results he shared on The Ellen Show in 2019 revealed a hint of Swedish heritage, the overwhelming majority pointed straight to Finland – firmly anchoring his roots in the land of a thousand lakes.

Related: 3 simple lessons in happiness from Finland

Whilst cinephiles worldwide revere David Lynch for reshaping the language of cinema – from the surreal deserts of Dune to the unsettling enigmas of Twin Peaks and the haunting brilliance of Eraserhead – we in the Nordic sphere lay claim to a more intimate connection: his significant Finnish heritage. Tracing back to his maternal great-grandparents, Finnish-Swedish immigrants who brought their culture across the Atlantic, this lineage weaves a subtle yet undeniable Nordic thread through the life and legacy of the late auteur.

Whilst the hapless, diary-keeping, and perpetually single Bridget Jones is an enduring and quintessentially British character, a closer look at the actress who brought her to life reveals a surprisingly deep Scandinavian connection. Renée Zellweger, despite her distinctive Texan drawl, carries a heritage that is significantly Nordic, as her mother, despite being born in Norway, was of Finnish descent.

Mark Hoppus, the dynamic bassist for the iconic American band Blink-182, possesses a distinctive Finnish heritage that he embraces with open pride. With a significant portion of his maternal lineage tracing back to Finnish ancestors, Hoppas has consistently expressed his connection to his roots. Keen-eyed fans have often noticed the subtle yet unmistakable tribute: a Finnish flag sticker adorning his bright pink bass, a small but potent symbol of his deeply felt family history.

The iconic image of Ginger Spice in her Union Jack mini dress may be the first thing that comes to mind when Geri Halliwell’s name is invoked. Yet a recent discovery prompts a delightful reconsideration: perhaps a Finnish flag would be just as fitting. The former Spice Girl’s lineage traces back to Korsnäs via her paternal grandfather, a Swedish-speaking Finn – lending a distinctly Nordic thread to one of Britain’s most recognisable pop-cultural figures.

Related: “I’ve become the Nordic sauna ambassador”: Take a tour of Finnish legend Arja Saijonmaa's summer retreat

From King Kong to American Horror Story, Jessica Lange is an American treasure. But for us Scandinavians, we claim her as our own. With a Finnish mother and deep Finnish heritage, Lange’s roots run through the heart of Scandinavia. While America may celebrate her as one of its finest, we proudly honour her as a Finnish-American icon.

Maila Nurmi was deeply Finnish, despite being born in America. Known for her iconic role as the glamorous goth Vampira, she proudly embraced her Finnish heritage. Her father was a Finnish immigrant, and her mother, though American, had Finnish roots. Nurmi often claimed to have been born in Finland, emphasising her connection to the country and its culture.

You may not recognise the name, but you’ve definitely heard the sounds of Finn Joonas Suotamo, the talented actor known for bringing Chewbacca to life in the recent Star Wars films. Taking over the iconic role from Peter Mayhew, Suotamo’s portrayal of the beloved Wookiee has been integral to the franchise's resurgence. He also plays Lurch in the popular Netflix series Wednesday. Born and raised in Espoo, Finland, Suotamo's impressive career spans both iconic franchises and diverse roles in film and television.