Lithuanian
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Bold, eccentric and pulsating with energy, Lithuania is indeed one among Europe’s well-kept secrets. The country, which barely ever bags any headlines save for its basketball exploits, holds a bag of surprises. Foremost is its beguiling physical beauty closely followed by its treasure-trove of talented men and women. By the way, did you know that Lithuanians are one of the most educated in the world? That’s right! While the country have always downplayed its greatness, some of its greatest born have broken through the shackles of anonymity to glimmer in the world sky. From writers to war heroes and from leaders to artists, the exceptional talent of the land pierced through the shadows of obscurity and how. These are the men and women who have streets and institutions named after them, who often show up on banknotes and stamps, and enjoy exalted status. Read on to explore all about the famous Lithuanians in these biographies below. Their timeline, trivia, and facts will wow you like nothing else.
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1
Domantas Sabonis
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: May 3, 1996
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Portland, Oregon, United States
2
Arvydas Sabonis
(Basketball Player, center who was a two-time Mr. Europa Player of the Year and 6-time Euroscar Player of the Year)
Birthdate: December 19, 1964
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
Birthdate: October 1, 1928
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Joniškis
Died: November 25, 1973
Born in Lithuania, Laurence Harvey spent his childhood in South Africa, before moving to Britain. He dropped his original name, Larry Skikne, while making his film debut with House of Darkness. Known for his portrayal of intriguing and complex characters, he also won hearts with his baritone voice.
4
Jonas Valanciunas
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: May 6, 1992
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Utena, Lithuania
Birthdate: March 1, 1956
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
Dalia Grybauskaitė became the first female president of Lithuania and the first to be re-elected. Popularly known as Lithuania’s Iron Lady and often compared to Margaret Thatcher, she has also been the UN Commissioner of the Year. A black belt in karate, she has mastery over four languages.
6
Aksana
(Lithuanian Professional Wrestler)
Birthdate: April 29, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Alytus, Lithuania
7
Šarūnas Jasikevičius
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: March 5, 1976
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
8
Žydrūnas Ilgauskas
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: June 5, 1975
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kaunas, Russian
9
Sarunas Marciulionis
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: June 13, 1964
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
10
Žydrūnas Savickas
(Lithuanian Powerlifter and Professional Strongman)
Birthdate: July 15, 1975
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Biržai, Lithuania
11
Jonas Mekas
(Lithuanian-American Poet, Artist, and Filmmaker Who is Known as the 'Godfather of American Avant-Garde Cinema')
Birthdate: December 24, 1922
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Semeniškiai, Lithuania
Died: January 23, 2019
Jonas Mekas was a Lithuanian-American poet, artist, and filmmaker. Referred to as the godfather of American avant-garde cinema, Mekas is credited with mentoring many important American artists and filmmakers, such as Peter Bogdanovich, Ken Jacobs, and Martin Scorsese among others. Jonas Mekas' work has been displayed in museums. He is the recipient of many prestigious awards, including Lithuanian National Prize.
12
Stephen Báthory
(King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania (1576 - 1586))
Birthdate: September 27, 1533
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Șimleu Silvaniei, Romania
Died: December 12, 1586
Stephen Báthory reigned as the King of Poland from 1 May 1576 to 12 December 1586. A member of the Báthory noble family of Hungary, Stephen ruled Transylvania during the 1570s before becoming the third elected king of Poland. Stephen Báthory is counted among the most successful kings in the history of Poland.
13
Bria Vinaite
(Lithuanian-born American Actress Known for Performance in the Movie 'The Florida Project')
Birthdate: June 10, 1993
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Alytus, Lithuania
Bria Vinaite is a Lithuanian-born American actress best known for her portrayal of Halley in the 2017 coming-of-age drama film The Florida Project, which earned her critical acclaim. Bria Vinaite's performance in the film earned her nominations for the San Diego Film Critics Society Award, North Texas Film Critics Association Award, and Chicago Film Critics Association Award.
14
Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė
(Lithuanian Actress Who Appears Predominantly in Russian Films)
Birthdate: January 20, 1963
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė is а Lithuanian actress who appears predominantly in Russian films. She achieved popularity in 1994, when she won the Nika Award for Best Actress. Ingeborga Dapkūnaitė is аlso a recipient of the State Prize of the Russian Federation.
15
Vytautas
(Grand Duke of Lithuania (1392 - 1430))
Birthdate: 1350 AD
Birthplace: Senieji Trakai, Lithuania
Died: October 27, 1430
Vytautas, also called Vytautas the Great, was the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Vytautas consolidated the possessions of his country and aided in building a national consciousness. Revered as a national hero, Vytautas was considered a significant figure during the 19th century Lithuanian National Revival. The Vytautas Magnus University founded in 1922 during the Polish–Lithuanian War was named after him.
16
Augustus III of Poland
(King)
Birthdate: October 17, 1696
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dresden, Germany
Died: October 5, 1763
17
Mindaugas Kuzminskas
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: October 19, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
18
Severija Janušauskaitė
(Lithuanian Actress, Composer and Model)
Birthdate: October 22, 1981
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Šiauliai, Lithuania
Severija Janušauskaitė is a Lithuanian actress and occasional singer, composer, fashion model, and costume designer. She is best known for her portrayal of Rita in the 2014 Russian drama film Star, which earned her a Best Actress Award at the Kinotavr Film Festival. Her performance in the film was also honored with the prestigious Golden Eagle Award.
19
Gediminas
(Grand Duke of Lithuania (1316 - 1341))
Birthdate: 1275 AD
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
Died: November 30, 1341
Gediminas was a Lithuanian leader who served as the Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1316 until his death in 1341. Counted among the most important political figures in early Lithuanian history, Gediminas is credited with building the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius. He is also credited with founding a dynasty that eventually ruled other European countries like Hungary, Poland, and Bohemia.
20
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis
(Painter, Composer)
Birthdate: September 22, 1875
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Senoji Varėna, Lithuania
Died: April 10, 1911
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis was a Lithuanian composer, painter, and writer. Widely regarded as a pioneer of abstract art in Europe, Čiurlionis contributed immensely to art nouveau and symbolism. Today, many of his paintings are preserved at the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum in Lithuania. Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis also had a major influence on modern Lithuanian culture.
Birthdate: August 10, 1874
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Taujėnai
Died: January 9, 1944
The first president of Lithuania, Antanas Smetona was drawn into the revolutionary movements of his country soon after finishing law school. A major political figure of his country during the two World Wars, he came to power for a second time after launching a coup in 1926.
22
Modesta Vžesniauskaitė
(Sport cyclist)
Birthdate: October 17, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Panevėžys, Lithuania
23
Egidijus Kavaliauskas
(Boxer)
Birthdate: June 29, 1988
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
24
Linas Kleiza
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: January 3, 1985
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
Birthdate: 1296 AD
Birthplace: Vilnius
Died: May 24, 1377
Birthdate: March 19, 1997
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
27
Mindaugas
(King of Lithuania (1253 - 1263))
Birthdate: 1203 AD
Died: 1263 AD
Mindaugas reigned as the King of Lithuania from 1253 to 1263. His reign was marked by numerous state-building accomplishments. Although not much is documented about his life and reign, Mindaugas is generally regarded as the founder of the Lithuanian state. He is also remembered as the only crowned Lithuanian king.
28
Ricardas Berankis
(Tennis player)
Birthdate: June 21, 1990
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
29
Mantas Kalnietis
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: September 6, 1986
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
30
Arturas Karnisovas
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: April 27, 1971
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Klaipėda, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
Birthdate: November 3, 1926
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
Former Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus had fought against the Soviet army during World War II. After fleeing to Germany, he studied in Munich and then migrated to the U.S., where he earned a civil engineering degree. Among his many accolades are honorary doctorates from countless foreign universities.
32
Jonas Maciulis
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: February 10, 1985
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
33
Clara Rockmore
(Virtuoso Performer of an Electronic Musical Instrument Called 'The Theremin')
Birthdate: March 9, 1911
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Vilnius
Died: May 10, 1998
Clara Rockmore was a Lithuanian violin prodigy. She later became a virtuoso performer of an electronic musical instrument called the theremin. Rockmore is credited with improving and popularizing the instrument by working closely with its inventor, Leon Theremin. Clara Rockmore is also known as the sister of famous American pianist Nadia Reisenberg.
34
Arturas Gudaitis
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: June 19, 1993
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Klaipėda, Lithuania
35
Paulius Jankunas
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: April 29, 1984
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
Birthdate: December 6, 1520
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
Died: May 8, 1551
37
Ieva Zasimauskaitė
(Singer)
Birthdate: July 2, 1993
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
38
Arnoldas Kulboka
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: January 4, 1998
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Marijampolė, Lithuania
39
Vytautas Landsbergis
(Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania (1990 - 1992))
Birthdate: October 18, 1932
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kaunas
Vytautas Landsbergis is a Lithuanian politician and writer. He is best known for his service as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Lithuania from 1990 to 1992. Apart from writing books on politics, Vytautas Landsbergis has also written several books on music.
40
Emilia Plater
(Polish-Lithuanian Revolutionary and Noblewoman)
Birthdate: November 13, 1806
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
Died: December 23, 1831
Emilia Plater was a Polish-Lithuanian revolutionary and noblewoman. Often compared with France's Joan of Arc, Plater is seen as a national heroine in Belarus, Lithuania, and Poland. Emilia Plater's story has inspired numerous works of art and literature and she is often seen as a symbol of women empowerment in Lithuania.
41
Pyotr Wrangel
(Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of South Russia (April 1920 - November 1920))
Birthdate: August 27, 1878
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Zarasai, Lithuania
Died: April 25, 1928
Pyotr Nikolayevich Wrangel was a Russian military officer who served in the Imperial Russian Army. He played an important role during the Russian Civil War, serving as the commanding general of the White Army during the later stages of the war. He lost the war and left Russia, becoming one of the most important exiled White émigrés of South Russia.
42
Darius Songaila
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: February 14, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Marijampolė, Lithuania
43
George Mikell
(Lithuanian-Australian Writer and Actor)
Birthdate: April 4, 1929
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bildeniai, Lithuania
Died: May 12, 2020
George Mikell was a Lithuanian-Australian writer and actor. He is best known for playing important roles in popular films like The Guns of Navarone and The Great Escape. Over the course of his career, he also played numerous leading roles in theatre. After retiring as an actor, George Mikell wrote many short stories and two film scripts.
44
Julija Stoliarenko
(Mixed martial artist)
Birthdate: April 8, 1993
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
45
Bluma Zeigarnik
(Lithuanian-Soviet Psychologist and Psychiatrist)
Birthdate: November 9, 1901
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Prienai, Lithuania
Died: February 24, 1988
Born to a Jewish family in southern Lithuania that was well-respected among the community, Bluma Zeigarnik grew up to be a renowned psychologist. She is best remembered for discovering what is known as the Zeigarnik effect, or the phenomenon of remembering incomplete tasks better than complete ones.
46
Rodion Shchedrin
(Soviet and Russian Composer & Pianist)
Birthdate: December 16, 1932
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Rodion Shchedrin is a Soviet and Russian pianist and composer. One of the most recognized and decorated Soviet-born pianists and composers of his generation, Rodion Shchedrin has won many prestigious awards such as the USSR State Prize, Lenin Prize, and State Prize of the Russian Federation.
47
Ingrida Šimonytė
(The Prime Minister of Lithuania)
Birthdate: November 15, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Vilnius, Lithuania
Ingrida Šimonytė is a Lithuanian economist and politician. She is the current Prime Minister of Lithuania. An influential politician, Šimonytė also served as the Minister of Finance from 7 July 2009 to 13 December 2012. In 2019 and 2020, Ingrida Šimonytė was named Delfi Women of the Year.
48
Virgilijus Alekna
(Lithuanian Retired Discus Thrower Who Won Gold Medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games)
Birthdate: February 13, 1972
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Terpeikiai, Lithuania
Virgilijus Alekna is a Lithuanian retired discus thrower who won gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games. A two-time world champion, Alekna also won the 2006 European Championship. Virgilijus Alekna was named Lithuanian Sportsman of the Year on four occasions. In 2017, he was honored with the prestigious European Athletics Lifetime Achievement Award.
49
Marius Grigonis
(Basketball player)
Birthdate: April 26, 1994
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
50
George Maciunas
(Lithuanian-American Artist)
Birthdate: November 8, 1931
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kaunas, Lithuania
Died: May 9, 1978
Born to an architect father in Lithuania, George Maciunas later fled with his family to avoid the Red Army, moving first to Germany and then to the U.S. He was one of the co-founders of the Fluxus movement of artists and architects and also restored many of SoHo’s dilapidated buildings.