List of people from Reykjavík

This is a list of notable people who were born or have lived in Reykjavík, Iceland.

Born in Reykjavík[edit]

19th century[edit]

Jóhann Gunnar Sigurðsson (1882–1906), poet
Sigurjón Pétursson (1888–1955), wrestler
Tryggvi Þórhallsson (1889–1935), Prime Minister of Iceland from 1927 to 1932
Jóhannes Gunnarsson (1897–1972), prelate of the Roman Catholic Church
Engel Lund (1900–1996), Danish-Icelandic soprano

20th century[edit]

1901–1940[edit]

Ólafía Einarsdóttir (1924–2017), first Icelander to earn a degree in archaeology
Margrét Þorbjörg Thors Hallgrímsson (1902–1996), matriarch of one of the most powerful families in Iceland in the twentieth century
Halldór Laxness (1902–1998), writer
Bjarni Benediktsson (1908–1970), leader in the independence movement in Iceland
Gunnar Thoroddsen (1910–1983), Prime Minister of Iceland from 1980 to 1983
Baldur Möller (1914–1999), chess master
Áskell Löve (1916–1994), botanist
Louisa Matthíasdóttir (1917–2000), Icelandic-American painter
Jórunn Viðar (1918–2017), pianist and composer
Þorbjörg Pálsdóttir (1919–2009), sculptor
Drífa Viðar (1920–1971), writer, artist and educator
Albert Guðmundsson (1923–1994), first Icelandic professional football player
Geir Hallgrímsson (1925–1990), Prime Minister of Iceland (1974–1978) and mayor of Reykjavík (1959–1972)
Haukur Clausen (1928–2003), Olympic athlete
Örn Clausen (1928–2008), athlete
Steingrímur Hermannsson (1928–2010), politician
Magnus Magnusson (1929–2007), journalist, translator, writer and television presenter
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir (born 1930), President of Iceland from 1980 to 1996
Margrét Þóra Hallgrímsson (1930–2020), wife of the businessman Björgólfur Guðmundsson
Jón Gunnar Árnason (1931–1989), sculptor
Friðrik Ólafsson (born 1935), chess grandmaster
Jón Kristinsson (born 1936), Dutch architect
Álfrún Gunnlaugsdóttir (born 1938), writer
Ragnar Stefánsson (born 1938), seismologist and Professor of the University of Akureyri
Atli Heimir Sveinsson (1938–2019), composer

1941–1950[edit]

Björgólfur Guðmundsson (born 1941), chairman and former owner of West Ham United FC
María Guðmundsdóttir (born 1942), filmmaker, photographer and actress
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir (born 1942), politician
Markús Örn Antonsson (born 1943), Mayor of Reykjavík from 1991 to 1994
Friðrik Klemenz Sophusson (born 1943), politician and company director
Björn Bjarnason (born 1944), politician
Pétur Blöndal (1944–2015), politician
Gunnar Kvaran (born 1944), cellist
Guðmundur Gunnarsson (born 1945), electrician and union leader
Einar Hákonarson (born 1945), artist
Bjarni Tryggvason (1945–2022), Canadian engineer and astronaut
Jakob Yngvason (born 1945), physicist
Ágúst Guðmundsson (born 1947), film director and screenwriter
Gunnar Hansen (1947–2015), Icelandic-American actor
Þórður Helgason (born 1947), writer and educationalist
Ólafur Haukur Símonarson (born 1947), playwright and novelist
Karl Sigurbjörnsson (born 1947), Lutheran bishop of Iceland
Guðmundur Sigurjónsson (born 1947), chess grandmaster
Þuríður Backman (born 1948), politician
Anna Svanhildur Björnsdóttir (born 1948), writer and educator
Elmar Geirsson (born 1948), footballer
Ari Trausti Guðmundsson (born 1948), geologist, author, documentarian, broadcaster, journalist, mountaineer and explorer
Ólafur Gunnarsson (born 1948), author and translator
Hrafn Gunnlaugsson (born 1948), film director
Ögmundur Jónasson (born 1948), politician
Davíð Oddsson (born 1948), politician and the longest-serving Prime Minister of Iceland
Ásta Ragnheiður Jóhannesdóttir (born 1949), politician
Þórarinn Eldjárn (born 1949), writer
Ágústína Jónsdóttir (born 1949), writer, artist and educator
Kristenn Einarsson (born 1950), Icelandic-Norwegian publisher
Steinunn Sigurðardóttir (born 1950), poet and novelist
Árni Þórarinsson (born 1950), writer

1951–1960[edit]

Sturla Gunnarsson (born 1951), Canadian film director
Geir Haarde (born 1951), politician
Jónína Bjartmarz (born 1952), politician
Edda Björgvinsdóttir (born 1952), actress, comedian, writer, director and motivational speaker
Sigurjón Sighvatsson (born 1952), film producer and businessman
Herbert Guðmundsson (born 1953), pop music singer-songwriter
Össur Skarphéðinsson (born 1953), politician
Friðrik Þór Friðriksson (born 1954), film director
Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir (born 1954), politician
Einar Már Guðmundsson (born 1954), author of novels, short stories and poetry
Jónína Leósdóttir (born 1954), novelist, playwright
Logi Ólafsson (born 1954), football coach
Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir (born 1955), politician
Einar Kárason (born 1955), writer
Jón Gunnarsson (born 1956), politician
Bubbi Morthens (born 1956), singer and songwriter
Helgi Ólafsson (born 1956), chess grandmaster
Halldór Guðmundsson (born 1956), author
Atli Eðvaldsson (born 1957), footballer
Hans Jóhannsson (born 1957), violin maker
Sigurður Gylfi Magnússon (born 1957), historian
Páll Guðlaugsson (born 1958), footballer and football coach
Jóhannes Helgason (born 1958), guitar player
Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson (born 1958), musician
Elísabet Jökulsdóttir (born 1958), author and journalist
Árni Mathiesen (born 1958), politician
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir (born 1958), professor of art history, novelist, playwright and poet
Kjartan Ólafsson (born 1958), musicologist, composer
Eiríkur Hauksson (born 1959), heavy metal vocalist
Hallgrímur Helgason (born 1959), painter, novelist, translator and columnist
Æsa Sigurjónsdóttir (born 1959), art curator
Jón Loftur Árnason (born 1960), chess grandmaster
Jón Atli Benediktsson (born 1960), President of the Governing Council and Rector of the University of Iceland
Sigurður Einarsson (born 1960), economist, businessman
Guðmundur Guðmundsson (born 1960), handball player
Margeir Pétursson (born 1960), banker and chess grandmaster
Hannes Sigurðsson (born 1960), art historian

1961–1965[edit]

Arnaldur Indriðason (born 1961), writer of crime fiction
Gyrðir Elíasson (born 1961), author and translator
Arnór Guðjohnsen (born 1961), footballer
Lárus Guðmundsson (born 1961), footballer
Einar Örn Benediktsson (born 1962), singer
Ólafía Hrönn Jónsdóttir (born 1962), actress
Bragi Ólafsson (born 1962), musician and writer
Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson (born 1962), businessman, writer and scientist
Kristín Ómarsdóttir (born 1962), poet and writer
Ásbjörn Óttarsson (born 1962), politician
Sjón (born 1962), poet, novelist and lyricist
Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir (born 1963), children's writer, columnist and novelist
Logi Gunnarsson (born 1963), philosopher
Jóhann Hjartarson (born 1963), chess grandmaster
Óskar Jónasson (born 1963), film director and screenwriter
Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson (born 1963), actor
Jón Kalman Stefánsson (born 1963), author
Halla Margrét Árnadóttir (born 1964), singer
Snorri Magnússon (born 1964), the head of the Icelandic Association of Police Officers
Magnús Scheving (born 1964), writer, entrepreneur, producer, actor and athlete
Bjarni Bjarnason (born 1965), writer
Björk (born 1965), singer, songwriter, actress, record producer and DJ
Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir (born 1965), politician
Steinunn Valdís Óskarsdóttir (born 1965), politician and mayor of Reykjavík from 2004 to 2006
María Sólrún Sigurðardóttir (born 1965), German film director
Þórunn Sveinbjarnardóttir (born 1965), politician

1966–1970[edit]

Ragna Árnadóttir (born 1966), lawyer and politician
Árni Páll Árnason (born 1966), politician
Eagle Egilsson (born 1966), television director and cinematographer
Hilmar Jensson (born 1966), guitarist
Baltasar Kormákur (born 1966), actor, theater and film director
Ólöf Nordal (1966–2017), politician
Skúli Sverrisson (born 1966), composer and bass guitarist
Björgólfur Thor Björgólfsson (born 1967), businessman and entrepreneur
Jón Gnarr (born 1967), actor, comedian and politician
Erla S. Haraldsdóttir (born 1967), visual artist
Helgi Hjörvar (born 1967), politician
Áslaug Magnúsdóttir (born 1967), business woman and entrepreneur
Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson (born 1967), politician
Katrín Sigurdardóttir (born 1967), artist
Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner (born 1967), programmer and businessman
Guðni Th. Jóhannesson (born 1968), President of Iceland since 2016
Hermann Stefánsson (born 1968), writer, musician and poet
Halla Tómasdóttir (born 1968), business person and public speaker
Ármann Þorvaldsson (born 1968), UK CEO of Kaupthing Bank
Hilmir Snær Guðnason (born 1969), actor and voice actor
Jóhann Jóhannsson (born 1969), composer
Rúnar Kristinsson (born 1969), footballer
Ásta Kristjana Sveinsdóttir (born 1969), philosopher
Steinunn Ólína Þorsteinsdóttir (born 1969), actress, TV show host, producer and writer
Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1970), politician
Gerður Kristný (born 1970), poet
Anna Mjöll (born 1970), jazz singer and songwriter
Paul Oscar (born 1970), pop singer, songwriter and disc jockey

1971–1975[edit]

Steinunn Kristín Þórðardóttir
(born 1972)

Ragnar Bragason (born 1971), film director, screenwriter and producer
Gabríela Friðriksdóttir (born 1971), artist and sculptor
Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir (born 1971), Icelandic politician
Helgi Kolviðsson (born 1971), footballer
Ragnheiður Melsteð (born 1971), executive producer and co-founder of LazyTown Entertainment
Hera Björk (born 1972), singer
Arnar Grétarsson (born 1972), football manager and former professional football player
Guðjón Már Guðjónsson (born 1972), entrepreneur and the CEO of OZ
Eygló Harðardóttir (born 1972), politician
Gunnhildur Hauksdóttir (born 1972), visual artist
Jón Atli Jónasson (born 1972), playwright and screenwriter
Steinunn Kristín Þórðardóttir (born 1972), businesswoman
Róbert Ingi Douglas (born 1973), film director, screenwriter and cinematographer
Gísli Örn Garðarsson (born 1973), actor and director
Judith Ingolfsson (born 1973), violinist
Auður Jónsdóttir (born 1973), author
Andri Snær Magnason (born 1973), writer
Dagur Sigurðsson (born 1973), handball player
Ólafur Stefánsson (born 1973), handball player
Selma Björnsdóttir (born 1974), actress and singer
Garðar Thór Cortes (born 1974), tenor
Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir (born 1974), actress and producer
Katrin Fridriks (born 1974), abstract painter
Kristján Helgason (born 1974), snooker player
Hermann Hreiðarsson (born 1974), footballer
Katrín Júlíusdóttir (born 1974), politician
Guðmundur Þór Kárason (born 1974), puppet designer and puppeteer
Helgi Sigurðsson (born 1974), footballer
Mikael Torfason (born 1974), writer
Árni Gautur Arason (born 1975), football goalkeeper
Heimir Björgúlfsson (born 1975), artist
Brynjar Gunnarsson (born 1975), footballer
Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson (born 1975), politician
Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson (born 1975), football goalkeeper
Ófeigur Sigurðsson (born 1975), poet, novelist and translator
Sigfús Sigurðsson (born 1975), handball player
Héðinn Steingrímsson (born 1975), chess grandmaster
Thóra Arnórsdóttir (born 1975), media personality

1976–1980[edit]

Kalli Bjarni (born 1976), singer
Bryndís Haraldsdóttir (born 1976), politician
Katrín Jakobsdóttir (born 1976), politician
Ragnar Kjartansson (born 1976), artist
Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir (born 1976), writer
Björgvin Franz Gíslason (born 1977), actor, entertainer and children's television host
Gylfi Gylfason (born 1977), handball player
Haraldur Þorvarðarson (born 1977), handball player
Ívar Ingimarsson (born 1977), footballer
Hössi Ólafsson (born 1977), singer, rapper, producer, writer and actor
Regína Ósk (born 1977), singer
Snorri Snorrason (born 1977), singer
Svala (born 1977), singer and songwriter
Guðlaugur Arnarsson (born 1978), handball player
Gylfi Einarsson (born 1978), football player
Vala Flosadóttir (born 1978), athlete
Eiður Guðjohnsen (born 1978), footballer
Rökkvi Vésteinsson (born 1978), comedian
Arnar Viðarsson (born 1978), footballer
Jóhannes Ásbjörnsson (born 1979), TV and radio show host
Eva Maria Daniels (1979–2023), film producer
Guðjón Valur Sigurðsson (born 1979), handball player
Andri Steinn (born 1979), film editor
Ólöf Arnalds (born 1980), singer/songwriter
Sturla Ásgeirsson (born 1980), handball player
Baldur Bett (born 1980), footballer
Róbert Gunnarsson (born 1980), handball player
Veigar Páll Gunnarsson (born 1980), football striker
Ingimundur Ingimundarson (born 1980), handball player
Vignir Svavarsson (born 1980), handball player

1981–1985[edit]

Örn Arnarson (born 1981), swimmer
Snorri Guðjónsson (born 1981), handball player
Indriði Sigurðsson (born 1981), football defender
Anita Briem (born 1982), actress
Ásmundur Einar Daðason (born 1982), politician
Hildur Vala Einarsdóttir (born 1982), singer
Logi Geirsson (born 1982), handballer
Hildur Guðnadóttir (born 1982), Academy Award-winning composer
Guðmundur Steinn Gunnarsson (born 1982), composer
Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir (born 1982), singer and actress
Stefan Kristjansson (born 1982), chess grandmaster
Jón Arnór Stefánsson (born 1982), basketball player
Halla Vilhjálmsdóttir (born 1982), television, film actress and singer
Hera Hjartardóttir (born 1983), singer-songwriter
Ragna Ingólfsdóttir (born 1983), badminton player
Hannes Sigurðsson (born 1983), football striker
Ólafur Ingi Skúlason (born 1983), footballer
Hannes Þór Halldórsson (born 1984), footballer
Þórunn Helga Jónsdóttir (born 1984), footballer
Ýmir Vigfússon (born 1984), hacker and computer security expert
Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir (born 1984), actress, lawyer, model and beauty queen
Ásgeir Örn Hallgrímsson (born 1984), handball player
Hólmfríður Magnúsdóttir (born 1984), footballer
Sölvi Ottesen (born 1984), footballer
Birkir Már Sævarsson (born 1984), footballer
Sunna Davíðsdóttir (born 1985), mixed martial artist
Ásdís Hjálmsdóttir (born 1985), javelin thrower
Þorgerður Ólafsdóttir (born 1985), visual artist

1986–1990[edit]

Helgi Þór Arason (born 1986), pop singer
Freyja Haraldsdóttir (born 1986), politician
Jóhanna Vala Jónsdóttir (born 1986), Miss Iceland 2007
Ragnar Sigurðsson (born 1986), footballer
Guðjón Baldvinsson (born 1986), footballer
Theódór Elmar Bjarnason (born 1987), footballer
Guðmundur Jörundsson (born 1987), fashion designer
Ari Freyr Skúlason (born 1987), football player
Sævar Birgisson (born 1988), cross-country skier
Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson (born 1988), strongman, actor and former basketball player
Salka Sól Eyfeld (born 1988), singer, actress, radio host and TV-presenter
Rúrik Gíslason (born 1988), footballer
Bjarki Már Gunnarsson (born 1988), handball player
Eggert Jónsson (born 1988), footballer
Rúnar Kárason (born 1988), handball player
Heida Reed (born 1988), actress and model
Bjarni Viðarsson (born 1988), footballer
Alfreð Finnbogason (born 1989), footballer
Alexandra Ívarsdóttir (born 1989), beauty pageant contestant; Miss Iceland 2008
Ögmundur Kristinsson (born 1989), football goalkeeper
Baltasar Breki Samper (born 1989), actor
Gylfi Sigurðsson (born 1989), footballer
Anníe Mist Þórisdóttir (born 1989), CrossFit Athlete, 2x CrossFit Games Champion
Valgerður Þóroddsdóttir (born 1989), poet and literary curator
Bjarki Már Elísson (born 1990), handball player
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson (born 1990), footballer
Kolbeinn Sigþórsson (born 1990), footballer
Kristinn Steindórsson (born 1990), footballer

1991–2010[edit]

Helga Margrét Þorsteinsdóttir (born 1991), heptathlete
Sigurdur Thordarson (born 1992), whistleblower
Hjörvar Steinn Grétarsson (born 1993), chess grandmaster
Hörður Björgvin Magnússon (born 1993), footballer
Aron Elís Þrándarson (born 1994), footballer
Eygló Ósk Gústafsdóttir (born 1995), swimmer
Hjörtur Hermannsson (born 1995), footballer
Elín Metta Jensen (born 1995), footballer
Aníta Hinriksdóttir (born 1996), middle-distance track athlete
Ari Ólafsson (born 1998), singer
Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir (born 1999) , singer-songwriter

Lived in Reykjavík[edit]

Einar Sveinsson (1906–1973), City Architect of Reykjavík between 1934–1973
Nína Björk Árnadóttir (1941–2000), playwright, poet and novelist
Árni Sigfússon (born 1956), former mayor of Reykjavík (1994)
Svandís Svavarsdóttir (born 1964), member of the Icelandic parliament
Disa Eythorsdottir (born 1965), Iceland-born American bridge player
Bjarni Haukur Thorsson (born 1971), director, writer, producer and actor
Alex Somers (born 1984), American visual artist and musician
Gunnar Nelson (born 1988), Icelandic MMA fighter