List of people from Reykjavík

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

Coat of Arms of Reykjavík

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 (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

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
• 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

Kristín Helga Gunnarsdóttir
(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
• 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
• 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

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
• 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
• Þórólfur Beck Kristjónsson (born 1974), video game designer
• 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
• 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

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

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson
(born 1988)

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
• 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

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
• Laufey Lín Jónsdóttir (born 1999) , singer-songwriter

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