4 Celebrities Who You Didnt Know Have Finnish Roots

Granted, we can't give away some really big names here -- after all, if they haven't mentioned that fact themselves by now it's probably not something they want widely known. But you'd be amazed at how many internationally renowned celebrities have Finnish roots. Here are four surprisingly famous Finns:

4) Milja Sarkola

You might know Milja Sarkola as the Finnish comedienne who doesn't laugh -- although she does look like she knows how to enjoy herself when she visits the South of France. Or perhaps you're aware of her more recent career change and saw her try to get lucky with "Mikko Leppilampi" on last year's edition of Uinnin kesäteatteri (Summer theatre of diving).

4) Peter Franzen

Peter Franzen is a Finnish artist who's so influential, even Paul McCartney played one of his songs at the opening ceremony for the 2012 Olympics. Although he started out as an architect, his musical career took off after moving to New York in 1973. It was there that he became friends with the likes of Andy Warhol and Yoko Ono, before returning to Helsinki in 1976 to pursue music full-time.

3) Anssi Kela

Born into a family that has produced several musicians, Anssi Kela is known for hits like "Funny Way" and "Aeroplane." The latter won him Best Song at the 2004 UMK (Finnish qualification for the Eurovision Song Contest); however, he made headlines again the following year after it was revealed that he'd plagiarized his song. And to think we thought all Finnish singers were supposed to be honest and law-abiding!

2) Milla Viljamaa

Milla Viljamaa's first proper role was as a young soldier in Edvin Laine's The Unknown Soldier (1955). But she later found even greater fame as one of Finland's best-loved actresses, playing utterly believable mothers in such films as Miehen työ (A Man's Job) and Lumilyhty (Candlelight). She also won plenty of praise for her work television series like Kohtalon kirja (The Book of Fate) and Lumikko ja 7 jätkää (Snow White and the Seven Jokers).

2) Maria Guzenina-Richardson

OK, so we've already revealed a couple of pop stars, but how about a politician? Maria Guzenina-Richardson is best known as the wife of former Minister for Foreign Affairs Ilkka Kanerva -- until recently she was also been regarded as one half of Finland's most glamorous power couple. In fact, just this week her name made headlines once again after she admitted that she'd had an affair with another man .

1) Wilhelm Wahlforss

Having studied music in Vienna, Vienna, and Helsinki, Wilhelm Wahlforss made a name for himself as a composer and conductor. He also played piano at various balls and parties, one of which was attended by the future King of Sweden -- who liked Wahlforss' playing so much that he invited him to Stockholm in 1907. With the extra money earned from his new job, Wahlforss founded a music school, which is still running to this day.

Famous Finnish-born celebrities include Milja Sarkola, Peter Franzen, Anssi Kela, Milla Viljamaa and Maria Guzenina-Richardson.

A special mention goes to composer Wilhelm Wahlforss, who had a hand in the classical music scene in both Helsinki and Stockholm.Even though there are plenty of Finnish startups you may not heard of such as Rovio or Boost, Finland is a fertile country with plenty of people to offer to the world. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of famous Finns, but rather 4 Celebrities You Didn't Know Have Finnish Roots.