List of people from Reykjavík facts for kids

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

Born in Reykjavík

19th century

• 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

1901–1940

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
(born 1930)

• 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 (born 1930), 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
• Atli Heimir Sveinsson (born 1938), composer

1941–1950

Bjarni Tryggvason
(1945–2022)

Ari Trausti Guðmundsson
(born 1948)

• 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

Jónína Bjartmarz
(born 1952)

Árni Mathiesen
(born 1958)

• 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
• 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

Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir
(born 1963)

Þorsteinn M. Jónsson
(born 1963)

Magnús Scheving
(born 1964)

Baltasar Kormákur
(born 1966)

Áslaug Magnúsdóttir
(born 1967)

Gerður Kristný
(born 1970)

• 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
• Þorsteinn M. Jónsson (born 1963), businessman
• 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

• 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
• 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

Hera Björk
(born 1972)

Steinunn Kristín Þórðardóttir
(born 1972)

Dagur Sigurðsson
(born 1973)

Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir
(born 1974)

• Ragnar Bragason (born 1971), film director, screenwriter and producer
• Gabríela Friðriksdóttir (born 1971), artist and sculptor
• 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

Guðrún Eva Mínervudóttir
(born 1976)

Logi Geirsson
(born 1982)

Ásdís Hjálmsdóttir
(born 1985)

• 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
• 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

Jóhanna Vala Jónsdóttir
(born 1986)

Bjarni Viðarsson
(born 1988)

• 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

Helga Margrét Þorsteinsdóttir
(born 1991)

• 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
• 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

Elín Metta Jensen
(born 1995)

• 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

Lived in Reykjavík

• 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