Famous Icelander Film & Theater Personalities

Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson is an Icelandic actor and former professional strongman. He inspired a number of Icelandic strongmen by becoming the first person to win the World's Strongest Man, Europe's Strongest Man, and Arnold Strongman Classic in the same calendar year. His popularity as a strongman earned him the role of Gregor Clegane in the popular series Game of Thrones.

Stefán Karl Stefánsson was an Icelandic singer and actor. He is remembered for playing Robbie Rotten in the popular children's television series, LazyTown. In June 2018, he was honored with the Order of the Falcon. In August 2018, Stefán Karl died of cancer. The launch of a performing arts academy in his honor was announced after his death.

Hildur Guðnadóttir is an Icelandic composer and musician. A classically trained cellist, Guðnadóttir has recorded with popular bands like Throbbing Gristle, Pan Sonic, Stórsveit Nix Noltes, and Múm. Hildur Guðnadóttir is best known for her work in films like Joker, for which she received the Academy Award under the Best Original Score category.

Magnús Scheving is best known as the creator of the BAFTA-winning children’s series Lazy Town, which has its roots in Scheving’s first book and centers around children’s fitness. The Icelandic aerobic gymnastic champion is also a motivational speaker and has previously been a fitness trainer at a school.

Marketa Irglova is a Czech-Icelandic musician, singer-songwriter, and actress. She is best known for starring in the 2007 Irish musical drama film Once, which earned Irglová numerous prestigious awards, such as an Oscar under the Best Original Song category for her song, Falling Slowly. 

Ragnheiður Ragnarsdóttir, or Ragga Ragnars, was 19 when she became Iceland’s youngest swimmer at the Olympics. After making multiple national records in freestyle, she retired and started studying acting. She later gained fame as Gunnhild, an Icelandic Saga figure, in the popular historical drama TV series Vikings.

Gísli Örn Garðarsson is an Icelandic actor and occasional scriptwriter and producer. Also a theatre director, Gísli Örn is credited with co-founding a theatre and film company called Vesturport. Gísli Örn Garðarsson is best known for his portrayal of Garðar in the 2006 Icelandic film Children, which earned him a Shooting Stars Award at the Berlin Film Festival in 2007.

Stony Blyden is an Icelandic rapper, singer, actor, drummer, and record producer. He is best known for his portrayal of Stony in the 2018 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film, Dude. Stony Blyden also played an important role in the 2020 American romantic drama film, Life in a Year.

Atli Örvarsson is an Icelandic composer best known for his work in American films and TV series. He is credited with composing and orchestrating music for popular Hollywood films like Angels & Demons and the Pirates of the Caribbean film series.

Icelandic born athlete and actor Peter Ronson is known for taking part in the 110 metres hurdles event at the 1960 Summer Olympics held in Rome. He is also remembered for essaying the role of Hans Bjelke and contributing as a technical adviser in the blockbuster hit 1959 American science fiction adventure film Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Icelandic singer and actor Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir is best known for her portrayal of Silvía Night in the series Sjáumst með Silvíu Nótt. She has also voiced Queen Elsa in the Icelandic version of the Frozen film series and Rapunzel in Tangled. She now performs for the band Sycamore Tree.

Icelandic singer-actress Hafdís Huld commenced her musical journey with the electronic band GusGus. She later made her solo debut with the album Dirty Paper Cup that won Best Pop Album award at the Icelandic Music Awards. Two singles from her second album Synchronised Swimmers reached atop the Icelandic singles chart. As an actress, Hafdís has starred in films like Dramarama. 

Icelandic actress and singer Selma Björnsdóttir gained international recognition while representing Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1999. She attainted second place in the contest, marking Iceland's best showing in the contest till present. She made a second appearance for her country in the contest in 2005 and also stole the show at the Eurovision gala concert during Europride 2005.   

Icelandic singer, actor, and presenter Salka Sól Eyfeld, also known as Salka Sól, has been the frontwoman of the reggae band AmabAdamA and the hip-hop band Reykjavíkurdætur. She is also known for playing Soffia in the popular Icelandic mystery series Trapped. She has also voiced for many Icelandic versions of animated features.

Icelandic musician Gyða Valtýsdóttir is best known as the co-founder of the indietronica band Múm. She has also provided music to films, theater, and dance pieces, and has released several solo albums. She is the twin sister of the lead vocalist of Mum, Kristín Anna Valtýsdóttir.

Known for his roles in films such as Dracula Untold and Black’s Game, Icelandic actor Þorvaldur Davíð Kristjánsson, or Thor Kristjansson had first gained fame as the voice of Simba in the Icelandic version of The Lion King. The Juilliard alumnus had his education funded by scholarships and by Robin Williams.

Icelandic actor and pop-rock musician Helgi Björnsson, also known as Helgi Björns, has also performed as part of his own band, Helgi Björns Og Reiðmenn Vindanna. His filmography includes movies such as Hitler's Grave, Reykjavik Whale Watching Massacre, and Remote Control. He is the son of footballer Björn Helgason.

A man who dons many hats, Bardi Johannsson is an Icelandic composer, musician, host, designer, director, and writer. He has contributed to the award-winning score of the movie Reykjavik Rotterdam and has also composed for the American film Would You Rather and the French film The Finishers.

Musician, art-director, and allsherjargoði of Ásatrúarfélagið Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson is best-remembered for pioneering use of computers in composing musical-pieces that paved-way for new concepts in recording and arrangements. He worked with several bands, most-notably with Þeyr that released albums like Útfrymi through independent record-label Esquimaux Management that he co-created; and worked with several musicians like Sigur Rós, on experimental projects.