List of famous Latvians

List of famous Latvians

Rainis[?] (real name: Janis Pliek*ans, 1865-1929), the most distinguished Latvian writer of all time who is the author of a number of poetry collections. Rainis is also acknowledged as the "Man of the 20th Century of Latvia".
Peteris Vasks[?] - contemporary composer
Raimonds Pauls[?] - popular composer, best known in Russia
Jukums Vacietis[?] - the first commander of Soviet Army
Mihails Tals[?] (1936-1992) - the 8th World Champion in chess
Uljana Semjonova[?] (1952), tallest female basketball player in the Olympic history, 3-time World Champion
Janis Lusis[?] (1939), the only athlete (javelin) in Latvia to have a complete Olympic medal set (gold, silver, bronze).
Sandis Ozolinsh[?] - ice hockey player (NHL), defense
Arturs Irbe[?] - ice hockey player (NHL), goalkeeper
Arvids Blumentals[?] - the prototype for the Paul Hogan film Crocodile Dundee[?]
Baiba Skride[?] - a starlet violinist
numerous opera soloists, such as Inese Galante[?] (soprano) and Egils Silins[?] (bass)