List of Famous people born in Tavastia Proper, Finland
Daniel O'Shaughnessy
Daniel Michael O'Shaughnessy is a Finnish professional footballer who plays for HJK and the Finland national football team as a defender. He began his career in the youth systems at Honka, HJK and Metz and came to prominence in England with Cheltenham Town.
Jean Sibelius
Jean Sibelius, born Johan Julius Christian Sibelius, was a Finnish composer and violinist of the late Romantic and early-modern periods. He is widely recognized as his country's greatest composer and, through his music, is often credited with having helped Finland to develop a national identity during its struggle for independence from Russia.
Patrick O'Shaughnessy
Patrick O'Shaughnessy is a Finnish footballer who most recently played for Finnish Kolmonen side PK-35.
Jukka Koskinen
Jukka Koskinen is a Finnish musician, who is the bassist for the Finnish band Wintersun. He was also the bassist for Norther from 2000 until their disbandment in 2012, for Amberian Dawn from 2010 until 2013, and for Cain's Offering from 2009 until 2014.
Jukka Jalonen
Jukka Jalonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey coach and former player. In 2011 and 2019, he coached the Finnish national team to win the gold medal in the IIHF World Championship. He was the head coach of Jokerit in the Kontinental Hockey League during seasons 2016-2018 before returning to coach the Finnish national team.
Erkki Kurenniemi
Erkki Juhani Kurenniemi was a Finnish designer, philosopher and artist, best known for his electronic music compositions and the electronic instruments he has designed. He is considered to have been one of the leading early pioneers of electronic music in Finland. Kurenniemi was also a science populariser, a futurologist, a pioneer of media culture, and an experimental film-maker.
Jouko Ahola
Jouko Ahola is a Finnish former strongman, power-lifter and actor.
Renny Harlin
Renny Harlin is a Finnish film director, producer and screenwriter. His films include A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, The Long Kiss Goodnight and Deep Blue Sea.
Juhani Järvinen
Jouko Juhani Järvinen was a Finnish speed skater. He competed in the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympics with the best result of fourth place over 1500 m in 1956 and fifth in 1960. In 1959 he won a world title, placing second at the European championships. The same year he set a world record over 1500 m (2:06.3) and was elected Finnish Sportspersonality of the year. His world record stood for seven years.
Anneli Saaristo
Terttu Anneli Orvokki Saaristo is a Finnish singer and actress, best known internationally for her participation in the 1989 Eurovision Song Contest.