This is a list of notable Estonian-Americans, including both original immigrants who obtained American citizenship and their American descendants.
To be included in this list, the person must have a Wikipedia article showing they are Estonian American or must have references showing they are Estonian American and are notable.
Arts and literature Alar Kivilo (born 1953) — member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences,Alar Kivilo @ MPAS cinematographer at postimees.ee Lisa Kivirist (born 1967) — author Kristjan Järvi (born 1972) — symphony conductor "...under the rising 38-year-old Estonian-American conductor Kristjan Järvi..." Neeme Järvi (born 1937) — symphony conductor. Moved to the US in 1981 Paavo Järvi (born 1962) — current Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra "The Estonian-American conductor, Paavo Järvi..." Tõnu Kalam (born 1948) — pianist and symphony conductor Mark Kostabi (born 1960) — artist "The most well-known of Estonian/American artists is the infamous Mark Kostabi..."Eastern Europe By Richard C. Frucht -Page 93 born to Estonian exiles in California Paul Kostabi (born 1962) — artist, music producer"The complete list is: Peeter Kolk, Dianne Bowen, Külliki Talp, Ilse Leetaru, Mark Kostabi, Paul Indrek Kostabi..." Louis Kahn (1901–1974) — architect, designer of the Salk Institute, Kimbell Art Museum, and others "As the great Estonian-American architect wrote..." Ilse Lehiste (1922–2010) — linguist and author Alexander Nelke (1894–1974) — artist Dennis Nurkse (born 1949) — poet Raymond Pettibon (born 1957) — artist, designer of the iconic Black Flag (band) bars "Pettibon's mother was an Estonian, who fled to the United States during World War II ..." Bill Rebane (born 1937) — film director "I still spoke with a strong European accent as I had immigrated to the United States only 10 years earlier as an Estonian refugee via Germany and was experiencing, in reality and the real sense of the word, "the American Dream.”" Ene Riisna (born 1938) — television producer Jerry Saltz (Estonian father) (born 1951) — art critic Helen Tobias-Duesberg (1919–2010) — composer "But in the last years of her life spent in Savannah, the Estonian-American composer came around to see things differently." Priit Vesilind (born 1943) — author, photojournalist "Mai sought out an old Geislingen playmate, Estonian-American Priit Vesilind..." Kiino Villand (born 1969) — photographer Arthur Võõbus (1909–1988) — theologian, orientalist and church historian
Science Nicole Aunapu Mann (born 1977) — astronaut and test pilot August Komendant (1906–1992) — Professor of Architecture at University of Pennsylvania (1959–74),University of Pennsylvania School of Design Structural Engineer for Louis KahnIntegrated Buildings By Leonard R. Bachman; p. 91 "Louis Kahn's engineer and fellow Estonian..." Pearn P. Niiler (1937–2010) — oceanographer Jaak Panksepp (1943–2017) — neuroscientist and psychobiologist Hillar Rootare (1928–2008) — physical chemist Rein Taagepera (born 1933) — Research Professor, Political science, University of California, Irvine; Professor Emeritus, University of Tartu, EstoniaRein Taagepera @ University of California, Irvine "According to leading Estonian-American political scientist Rein Taagepera..." Riho Terras (1939–2005) — mathematician Alar Toomre (born 1937), Jüri Toomre — astronomers and mathematiciansRemarkable Estonian astronomers @ Tartu Space observatoryAlar Toomre @ Encyclopædia Britannica Karen Uhlenbeck (born 1942) — mathematician and founder of geometric analysis Lauri Vaska (1925–2015) — chemist "Estonian/American chemist"
Entertainment Erika Eleniak (born 1969) — Playboy Playmate and actress Greg Ginn (born 1954) — guitarist of Black Flag "...his mother was an immigrant from Estonia." Miliza Korjus (1905–1980) — coloratura soprano opera singer Karolyn Nelke (born 1948) — stage actress Mena Suvari (born 1979) — actress (Estonian father) Ivan Triesault (1898–1980) — actor Johann Urb (born 1977) — actor and former model
Sports Jaan Ehlvest (born 1962) — chess player Margus Hunt (born 1987) — football player "Hunt got drafted to NFL in 2013." Chris Jogis (born 1965) — badminton player David Laid (born 1998) — fitness influencer Ingrid Neel (born 1998) — tennis player Michael Roos (born 1982) — football player "Roos is believed to be the first Estonian native to play in the NFL..." Sven Salumaa (born 1966) — tennis player Warren Cummings Smith (born 1991) — alpine skier Ralph Tamm (born 1966) — football player Katie Vesterstein (born 1999) — alpine skier
Business Lachlan Murdoch (born 1971) — CEO of FOX Corporation Elisabeth Murdoch (born 1968) — businesswoman James Murdoch (born 1972) — businessman Steve Jurvetson (born 1967) — Draper Fisher Jurvetson businessman "Steve Jurvetson, the 34-year-old Silicon Valley venture capitalist extraordinaire, and second-generation Estonian American..."
Politics Michael Josselson (1908–1978) — secretary general for the Congress for Cultural Freedom naturalized American of Jewish-Estonian background Jaan Laaman (born 1948) — leftist extremist "Jaan Laaman grew up in Roxbury and Buffalo NY. Hisfamily emigrated to the U.S. from Estonia when he was a child." Samuel H. Shapiro (1907–1987) — governor of Illinois. Edmund S. Valtman (1914–2005) — political cartoonistThe Estonians in America, 1627-1975: a chronology & fact book Melissa F. Wells (1932–2025) — diplomat
Military Aleksander Einseln (1931–2017) — former Commander-in-chief of the Estonian army (dual U.S. and Estonian citizenship) Center For Immigration Studies: Dual Citizenship and American National Identity. Renshon, Stanley A. Tiiu Kera (born 1945) — retired United States Air Force (USAF) major generalAstbury Methodist Village Retrieved 27 April 2017. Edward Masso — retired United States Navy Rear Admiral and ambassador to Estonia
References
External links Estonian American National Council Estonian Americans