Original author of the Linux Kernel, implemented borrowing ideas from Andrew Tanenbaum's Minix (later completely rewritten with POSIX compatibility as the sole goal). Previously worked for Trans Meta, a company whose product is a VLIW microprocessor that (with the help of some clever JIT-like software) executes x86 code. Allegedly it's very fast and very low-power.
Currently works for the Open Source Development Lab.
There's a "Rampantly Unofficial Linus Torvalds FAQ" at www.catb.org 
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See Linus On Design
Linus on C++: harmful.cat-v.org
Original author of Git Version Control, now used to manage Linux Kernel development.
"He drinks beer (especially Guinness). Occasionally he shoots pistols. He does not combine these two activities."
(from the "Rampantly Unofficial Linus Torvalds FAQ")
See original on c2.com