No. 1: Which Norwegian celebrity is this? (Photo: Hans Olav Lahlum/Wikimedia Commons)

With the exception of chess star Magnus Carlsen, Norway has no international celebrities. No Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey or George Clooney who would be recognized in the streets of Lima and New Delhi. However, we have Tone Damli Aaberge, Egil Hegerberg and Kristoffer Joner – Norwegian stars that no one will ask for an autograph outside of Norway.

With only five million inhabitants Norway produces very many celebrities: The number is about 1000, almost as many as in the United States. The main reason is that the Norwegian people are world leaders when it comes to media consumption. Tabloid newspapers, magazines and a dozen Norwegian-language TV channels constantly have to be filled with new material and new faces to keep their readers and viewers.

In the autumn of 2007, the “Norwegian Celebrity Encyclopedia” was published. The book contained 750 names from the entertainment industry, culture, sports, media, politics and business. The encyclopedia was not successful but gave an overview of the industry.

Thanks to reality series and TV shows the number has increased significantly. It is not unreasonable to assume that Norway is approaching about 1000 famous persons.

No. 2: … and this? (Photo: Chell Hill/Wikimedia Commons)

Here is an informal list of 66 Norwegian celebrities you have probably never heard about, and at the bottom of the page you will find the answers to who you see on the pictures.

Entertainment

Kåre Conradi (actor), Linn Skåber (TV personality and actress), Anders Baasmo Christiansen (actor), Pål Sverre Hagen (actor), Aksel Hennie (actor), Ane Dahl Torp (actress), Kristoffer Joner (actor), Jon Almaas (TV-host), Harald Eia (comedian, documentarian and TV-host), Egil Hegerberg (comedian and musician), Pernille Sørensen (comedian and actress), Christine Koht (TV-hostess), Tone Damli Aaberge (famous for being famous), Eyvind Hellstrøm (Masterchef and TV host)

Culture

Vebjørn Sand (painter and artist), Marianne Aulie (painter and former model), Håkon Gullvåg (painter), Åsne Seierstad (freelance journalist and writer), Unni Lindell (author), Anne B. Ragde (author), Carl Frode Tiller (author), Hans Olav Lahlum (author, chess commentator and TV personality), Ingrid Lorentzen (director of the Norwegian National Ballet), Sivert Høyem (singer), Åge Aleksandersen (musician), Jan Eggum (musician), Marit Larsen (singer and songwriter), Kari Bremnes (singer and songwriter)

No 3: … and this? (Photo: Senterpartiet/Wikimedia Commons)

Sports

Marit Bjørgen (cross-country skier), Therese Johaug (cross-country skier), Petter Northug (cross-country skier), Vegard Forren (football player), Magne Hoseth (football player), Anette Sagen (ski jumper), Anders Jacobsen (ski jumper), Ezinne Okparaebo (track and field sprinter), Kjetil Jansrud (alpine ski racer)

Media

Martine Aurdal (feminist and journalist), Marie Simonsen (journalist and political editor in newspaper Dagbladet), Arne Strand (journalist and political editor in newspaper Dagsavisen), Harald Stanghelle (journalist and political editor in newspaper Aftenposten), Frithjof Jacobsen (political commentator and editor of the comment section in newspaper VG), Hans-Wilhelm Steinfeld (journalist and retired foreign correspondent NRK), Christian Borch (television presenter and news anchor NRK), Sigurd Falkenberg Mikkelsen (foreign correspondent NRK), Knut Jørgen Røed Ødegaard (astronomer and TV personality), Håvard Tjora (teacher and TV personality), Dag Olav Hessen (biologist and TV personality).

Politics

Jonas Gahr Støre (MP and leader of the Labour Party), Trine Skei Grande (MP and leader of the Liberal Party), Bård Vegard Solhjell (MP representing the Socialist Left Party), Hadia Tajik (MP representing the Labour Party), Per Sandberg (MP representing the Progress Party), Rasmus Hansson (MP and leader of the Green Party), Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (MP and leader of the Centre Party), Knut-Arild Hareide (MP and leader of the Christian Democratic Party), Torbjørn Røe Isaksen  (MP for the Conservative Party and Minister of Education) , Siv Jensen (Minister of Finance and the leader of the Progress Party).

No 4: … and finally, this? (Photo: Kjetil Ree/Wikimedia Commons)

Business

Trygve Hegnar (investor and chief editor), Olav Thon (real estate developer), Celina Midelfart (businesswoman and investor), Stein Erik Hagen (investor), Mille-Marie Treschow (estate and forest owner), Jon Fredriksen (oil tanker and shipping magnate), Petter Stordalen (investor and hotel ”tycoon”), Kristin Skogen Lund (chief executive of the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise)

Answers: No. 1: Hans Olav Lahlum (author and TV personality), No. 2: Christine Koht (TV-hostess), No 3: Trygve Slagsvold Vedum (politician representing the Centre Party) No 4: Egil Hegerberg (comedian and musician).

Text by: Thor Lanesskog and Anette Broteng Christiansen, ThorNews

Categories: Quirky