Famous People from Romania

19 notable historical figures from Romania, including leaders, artists, scientists, and other influential people.

politician (3)essayist (2)diarist (2)university teacher (2)linguist (1)film actor (1)economist (1)artistic gymnast (1)physics teacher (1)school teacher (1)

Herta Müller

1953 – Present

German-Romanian novelist, poet and essayist (born 1953)

linguistessayistnovelisttranslatorpoetwriter
Born August 17Wikipedia →

Eugène Ionesco

1909 – 1994

Romanian-French playwright (1909–1994)

diaristfilm actortelevision actorliterary criticfilm directorgraphic artistillustratorplaywrightpoet
Born November 26Wikipedia →

Klaus Iohannis

1959 – Present

President of Romania from 2014 to 2025

physics teacherschool teacherschool inspectorstatespersonpoliticianwriter
Born June 13Wikipedia →

Tristan Tzara

1896 – 1963

Romanian-French poet (1896–1963)

French resistance fighterdraftspersonactivistessayistperformance artistart collectorliterary criticfilm directorpaintertranslatorplaywrightdiplomatpoetcomposerwriterphotographer
Born April 16Wikipedia →

Emil Cioran

1911 – 1995

Romanian-French philosopher and essayist (1911–1995)

diaristphilosopheraphoristtranslatorwriter
Born April 8Wikipedia →

Ion Iliescu

1930 – 2025

President of Romania (1990–1996; 2000–2004)

non-fiction writeractivistrevolutionarydesign engineerpropagandistpoliticianengineerwriter
Born March 3Wikipedia →

Ion Antonescu

1882 – 1946

prime minister of Romania during World War II, executed for war crimes (1882–1946)

diplomatpoliticianmilitary personnel
Born June 2Wikipedia →

Harvey Keitel

1939 – Present

American actor

film screenwriterproducerfilm actortelevision actorfilm producervoice actorstage actorcharacter actorwriteractorscreenwriter
Born May 13Wikipedia →

Michael I of Romania

1921 – 2017

last king of Romania (r. 1927–1930, 1940–1947)

art collectorstockbrokeraircraft pilotmilitary leadermonarch
Born October 25Wikipedia →

Gheorghe Hagi

1965 – Present

Romanian association football player and manager

proprietorassociation football playerassociation football coach
Born February 5Wikipedia →

Constantin Brâncuși

1876 – 1957

Romanian sculptor, photographer and painter (1876-1960)

assemblage artistarchitectural draftspersonsculptorpainterillustratorphotographer
Born February 19Wikipedia →

Stefan Hell

1962 – Present

director at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen, Germany

university teacherchemistphysicist
Born December 23Wikipedia →

Paul Celan

1920 – 1970

French-Romanian poet and translator (1920–1970)

essayistliterary editorlyricisttranslatorpoetwriter
Born November 23Wikipedia →

George Emil Palade

1912 – 2008

Romanian cell biologist, physician and Nobel laureate

cell biologistuniversity teacherchemistinventorphysicistphysician
Born November 19Wikipedia →