HistoryData

🇰🇭Famous People from Cambodia

A comprehensive directory of 39 historically significant figures from Cambodia. Cambodia's historical figures include centuries of political transformation, royal lineage, and cultural achievement. The database of 28 notable Cambodians includes mostly politicians (15) and kings (5), highlighting the country's governmental evolution. Former King Norodom Sihanouk (1922-2012) was a dominant figure in 20th-century politics, and his son Norodom Sihamoni (born 1953) is the current monarch. Cambodia's darker historical periods are marked by figures like Pol Pot (1925-1998), leader of the Khmer Rouge regime, and his associates Nuon Chea (1926-2019) and Kang Kek Iew (1942-2020). Contemporary politics include Prime Minister Hun Sen (born 1952) and his son Hun Manet (born 1977), indicating ongoing dynastic leadership. Beyond politics, Cambodia has internationally recognized talent such as Oscar-winning actor Haing S. Ngor (1940-1996), who survived the Khmer Rouge era to achieve Hollywood success. Military leaders like Lon Nol (1913-1985) and rising figures such as Chan Vathanaka (born 1994) have influenced Cambodia's national narrative.

Total Figures
39
Categories
15
Time Span
700–1994
Top Field
monarch· 13

Notable Figures Overview

actor
Norodom Sihanouk

Norodom Sihanouk

1922–2012

King of Cambodia who ruled for over 60 years across multiple periods and was known for his political maneuvering during the Vietnam War era. He also pursued careers in filmmaking and music, directing several movies.

actor
Norodom Sihamoni

Norodom Sihamoni

1953–Present

Current King of Cambodia since 2004, trained as a classical dancer and cultural ambassador before ascending to the throne.

military officer
Pol Pot

Pol Pot

1925–1998

Cambodian communist leader who ruled as Prime Minister from 1976-1979 and orchestrated the Cambodian genocide that killed approximately 1.5-2 million people.

Distribution by Historical Era

MED(13)
EAR M.(1)
MOD(4)
CONT.(21)
Norodom Sihanouk
Norodom Sihanouk
actor
King of Cambodia who ruled for over 60 years across multiple periods and was known for his political maneuvering during the Vietnam War era. He also pursued careers in filmmaking and music, directing several movies.
Norodom Sihamoni
Norodom Sihamoni
actor
Current King of Cambodia since 2004, trained as a classical dancer and cultural ambassador before ascending to the throne.
Pol Pot
Pol Pot
military officer
Cambodian communist leader who ruled as Prime Minister from 1976-1979 and orchestrated the Cambodian genocide that killed approximately 1.5-2 million people.
JI
Jayavaraman II
monarch
9th-century king of Cambodia
Hun Sen
Hun Sen
diplomat
Cambodian politician who served as Prime Minister for 38 years (1985-2023), making him one of the world's longest-serving leaders.
Ang Duong
Ang Duong
king
Cambodian politician (1796–1860)
Haing S. Ngor
Haing S. Ngor
film actor
Cambodian-American gynecologist who survived the Khmer Rouge and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'The Killing Fields' (1984).
Somaly Mam
Somaly Mam
human rights defender
Cambodian anti-trafficking activist who founded the Somaly Mam Foundation to combat sex slavery and advocate for survivors of human trafficking.
Kang Kek Iew
Kang Kek Iew
military personnel
Khmer Rouge commander who ran the notorious S-21 prison in Phnom Penh where over 14,000 people were tortured and killed. He was convicted of crimes against humanity in 2010.
Norodom Suramarit
Norodom Suramarit
composer
King of Cambodia from 1955-1960 who abdicated the throne in favor of his son Prince Sihanouk and was known for his musical compositions.
II
Indravarman I
monarch
Emperor of Angkor
Sisowath of Cambodia
Sisowath of Cambodia
king
King of Cambodia from 1904 to 1927
Norodom of Cambodia
Norodom of Cambodia
king
King of Cambodia from 1860 to 1904
Mạc Cửu
Mạc Cửu
explorer
Chinese adventurer
Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII
monarch
Cambodian king, considered by historians to be the most powerful Khmer monarch of all time
Nuon Chea
Nuon Chea
politician
Senior Khmer Rouge leader known as 'Brother Number Two' who was convicted of crimes against humanity and genocide by the Extraordinary Chambers in 2014.
Dith Pran
Dith Pran
journalist
Cambodian-American photojournalist who survived the Khmer Rouge and whose story inspired the Academy Award-winning film 'The Killing Fields.'
Lon Nol
Lon Nol
military personnel
Cambodian general and politician who led the military coup that overthrew Prince Sihanouk in 1970 and established the Khmer Republic.
Hun Manet
Hun Manet
politician
Current Prime Minister of Cambodia since 2023, succeeding his father Hun Sen after serving as a general in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
François Chau
François Chau
actor
Cambodian-born American actor best known for his roles in the television series 'Lost' and 'The Expanse.'
JI
Jayavarman I
monarch
Cambodian king
JV
Jayavarman V
monarch
Cambodian king
II
Indravarman III
monarch
Ruler of the Khmer Empire from 1295 to 1308
RI
Rajendravarman II
monarch
Cambodian king
DI
Dharanindravarman I
monarch
Cambodian king
Showing 1-25 of 39 figures

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who was the first Cambodian to win an Academy Award?
Haing S. Ngor was the first Cambodian to win an Academy Award. He won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1985 for his role in "The Killing Fields." Ngor was a doctor and survivor of the Khmer Rouge regime with no prior acting experience.
What happened to King Norodom Sihanouk during the Khmer Rouge era?
King Norodom Sihanouk was placed under house arrest by the Khmer Rouge from 1975 to 1979, despite initially supporting Pol Pot's movement. He returned to the throne in 1993 and abdicated in 2004 in favor of his son, Norodom Sihamoni.
How long has Hun Sen been the leader of Cambodia?
Hun Sen was Cambodia's Prime Minister from 1985 to 2023, making him one of the world's longest-serving leaders at nearly 38 years in power. He stepped down in 2023 and was succeeded by his son, Hun Manet.