Famous People Born In Tallinn

Johann Urb is an Estonian-American actor and former model. He is known for playing important roles in popular films, such as 2012, Resident Evil: Retribution, and Lord of Shanghai. Apart from being an actor, Johann Urb is also a film producer; he has produced films like Beautiful Girl.

Lennart Meri was an Estonian writer, politician, and film director. He played a key role in the Estonian independence movement. From 1992 to 2001, he served as the president of Estonia and is often counted among the most revered presidents of Estonia. In 2009, Tallinn Airport was renamed Lennart Meri Tallinn International Airport.

Robert Kurvitz is an Estonian novelist, video game designer, and musician. A founding member of a cultural association called ZA/UM, Kurvitz also went on to found a video game development company of the same name. ZA/UM is best known as the company that released the critically praised role-playing video game, Disco Elysium.

Kirill Käro is a Russian actor best known for his portrayal of the title role in a detective TV series titled The Sniffer. He has also achieved popularity by playing lead roles in popular series' like Better Than Us and To the Lake.

Jaan Kross was an Estonian writer best remembered for winning the International Nonino Prize in 1995 in Italy. He also received several nominations for the prestigious Nobel Prize in Literature award during the early 1990s. Jaan Kross is also regarded as the most popular and most translated Estonian writer of all time.

Kaja Kallas is an Estonian politician and the current Prime Minister of Estonia. She achieved international fame during the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 when she lent her support to Ukraine. Under Kaja Kallas' premiership, Estonia is currently playing an important role in Ukraine's war efforts against Russia.

Estonian fashion model Tiiu Kuik, whose modelling agencies include Marilyn New York, D Management Milan and Marilyn Agency in Paris, has walked the ramp for the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. She also featured on covers of magazines like Vogue, Elle and Marie Claire; and in fashion advertising campaigns for Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Valentino among others.  

Russian explorer and naval officer Otto von Kotzebue is remembered for his pioneering explorations in Oceania and his 3 circumnavigations of the Earth. The second son of German dramatist and diplomat August von Kotzebue, he also penned his travel accounts, which were later translated into English.

Siim Kallas is an Estonian politician best known for his service as the 14th Prime Minister of Estonia from 28 January 2002 to 10 April 2003. An important politician, Siim Kallas also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1995 to 1996.

Estonian author, playwright, topical-satirist, and screen-writer Andrus Kivirähk is best-known for authoring novels like Rehepapp ehk November and Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu. He is a member of Estonian Writers' Union and is considered the most popular Estonian writer of 21st century. He co-hosts Rahva Oma Kaitse, a humorous and satirical weekly radio show, along with Mart Juur, on Raadio 2.   

Jacob Pontusson, Count De la Gardie was a statesman of the Swedish Empire. He is best remembered for commanding the Swedish forces against the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in Russia. He was also among the five regents who ruled Sweden during the minority reign of Queen Christina.

Magnus Gabriel, Count De la Gardie was a Swedish military man and statesman. He is remembered as the holder of three of the five Great Offices of the Realm, namely the offices of the Lord High Treasurer, Lord High Chancellor, and Lord High Steward of Sweden. He is also regarded as one of the biggest patrons of art and science.

Marina Kaljurand is an Estonian politician best known for her service as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 16 July 2015 to 12 September 2016. She has also served as the Ambassador of Estonia to countries like the United States, Russia, Canada, Israel, Kazakhstan, and Mexico.

Mailis Reps is an Estonian politician best known for her service as the Minister of Education and Research on two occasions; from 2005 to 2007 and again from 2016 to 2020. An influential politician, Mailis Reps also served as the Minister of Education from 2002 to 2003.

Marie Under was an Estonian poet who is often counted among the greatest Estonian poets of all time. She was also one of the most translated Estonian authors as her work was translated into more than 25 languages. Marie Under also played an influential role in the Siuru literary movement and helped found the Estonian Writers' Union in 1922.

Mihkel Raud is an Estonian writer, actor, music artist, and former politician. In Estonia, he is best known as a musician. He has contributed as a singer-songwriter and guitarist to several local bands including Singer Vinger, Golem, and Metallist. Mihkel Raud is also known as the former host of a popular TV talk show titled Seitse Vaprat.