Famous People From Iceland: 18 Icelanders Everyone Knows

1. Björk

She is probably the most famous Icelander on this list. This singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and multifaceted artist is well-known worldwide. Born as Bjórk Guðmundsdóttir in Reykjavik, she started her singing career at the age of 11. Then, at 21, she became the lead singer of the rock band The Sugarcubes. In 1992, the band separated, and she began her successful solo career.

Björk has recorded eleven album studios, as well as two soundtracks, singles, and many collaborations. She has sold millions of copies of her albums all over the world. Famous for being eclectic, she combines different music styles, making it very difficult to classify her as an artist. Some of her most famous songs are “It’s Oh So Quiet”, “Play Dead”, and “Violently Happy.”

In 2000, she starred in the Lars Von Trier film Dancer in the Dark, receiving great reviews for her performance. In fact, she won the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Festival. Björk also composed most of the film’s soundtrack.

2. Halldór Laxness

This author is one of the most important writers in Iceland’s history. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955—the only Icelander to ever receive a Nobel Prize. He wrote poetry, articles, and essays and was also a translator—he translated Ernest Hemingway's “A Farewell to Arms” into Icelandic. However, he is mainly known as a novelist.

He was born Halldór Guðjónsson in 1902. When he was three, his family moved to a farm called Laxnes, and he adapted it and changed his surname to make it more distinctive. After World War I, he started traveling extensively around the world. He lived for short periods in the USSR and the United States.

His most famous book is “Independent People”, written in 1934-1935. A social realism novel that focuses on the struggles of poor Icelandic farmers in the early 20th Century.

3. Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir

Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir is an Icelandic politician who served as the country’s prime minister between 2009 and 2013. When she was elected, she became the first openly LGBT head of government in the world.

A member of the Social Democratic Party, she was appointed Minister of Social Affairs and Social Security from 1987 to 1994 and then again from 2007 to 2009. In 1994, her sentence Minn tími mun koma! ("My time will come!") became her trademark.

When the financial crisis of 2008 hit Iceland, the population grew unhappy with the ruling government, which led to protests and social turmoil. She was elected a year later and seen as a figure of stability and integrity. Despite the situation, Sigurðardóttir’s government succeeded in stabilizing the economy and setting Iceland on a path to recovery.

4. Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson

Although Iceland is not a very populated country, its people are known, among other things, for their strength. The country has had several men who have won the title of World’s Strongest Man, with Jón Páll Sigmarsson and Magnús Ver Magnússon winning it four times each.

But there’s another fellow countryman who rose to fame in recent years and is probably the most famous of them all: Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. He is the only person to have won the Arnold Strongman Classic, Europe's Strongest Man, and the World's Strongest Man competitions in the same calendar year and holds several world records.

But what made Hafþór famous was his role as Ser Gregor Clegane, aka The Mountain, in one of the most famous TV series of all time: Game of Thrones.

5. Eiður Guðjohnsen

Iceland has produced several sportspeople who are famous worldwide. In football, one of the country’s most popular sports, the most prominent person is Eiður Guðjohnsen. He was Iceland’s National Team captain, and is the top-scorer of all time.

In 1996, Eiður made his debut with the national team at the age of 17, replacing his own father, something unprecedented in the history of international football.

During his career, Eiður Guðjohnsen played in some of the biggest clubs in Europe, such as PSV Eindhoven, Chelsea FC, and FC Barcelona. With Chelsea, he won the Premier League, the EFL Cup, and the Community Shield. With Barcelona, he won LaLiga, the Copa del Rey, and the Champions League. He was voted Icelandic Footballer of the Year seven times.

6. Sigur Rós

Without a doubt, one of the most famous Icelandic bands at international level. They are known for their ethereal sounds and minimalistic elements combined with rock music. One of the band’s most recognizable elements is the singer’s, Jónsi Birgisson, falsetto voice and his use of a cello arch to play the electric guitar.

Sigur Rós means Victory Rose in Icelandic, but the band sings in a made-up language called “Hopelandic”, which is a mix of Icelandic and non-linguistic vocalizations.

One of the songs that helped the band reach international fame is "Hoppípolla," which was included in the 2005 album Takk. This beautiful composition has been featured in a multitude of films and documentaries, including trailers for BBC’s Planet Earth, Slumdog Millionaire, and Children of Men.

7. Vigdis Finnbogadóttir

Born in 1930, Vigdis Finnbogadóttir was Iceland’s fourth president and the first woman in the world to be democratically elected. She rose to power in 1980 with a slight margin over the candidate who came in second place.

However, she became very popular in the country and was reelected three more times. In 1984, she was reelected without opposition. In 1988, she won with 92% of the votes, and ran without opposition again in 1992. She decided not to run again in 1996.

Vigdis is known for her environmental policies, for her pacifism and for being an advocate for gay rights.

8. Leif Erikson

This explorer is believed to have been the first European to set foot in the Americas around the year 1000. Often known as Leif the Lucky, he was the son of a famous Norse explorer, Erik the Red, who founded the first Norse settlements in Greenland.

Leif Erikson departed from Greenland and sailed towards the west until he arrived in a part of the world he named Vinland, believed to be in modern-day Newfoundland, Canada. His journeys and discoveries are narrated in the Icelandic sagas and play an important role in the history of Viking exploration.

9. Magnús Scheving

It’s difficult to classify Magnús Scheving, as he is many things: an athlete, writer, producer, entrepreneur, and actor. But what he is best known for is being the creator of the children’s TV show LazyTown. He also stars in the series as Sportacus.

In the early 90s, Scheving became the Icelandic and European champion in aerobic gymnastics. He then started to give motivational speeches in different parts of the world. Soon, he realized the lack of healthy role models for children in films and television.

He wrote a book promoting healthy habits and sports among children called “Áfram Latibær.” He was then commissioned by Nickelodeon to create the TV series “LazyTown”, which became a huge international success.

10. Stefán Karl Stefánsson

It’s impossible to talk about “LazyTown” without naming Stefán Karl Stefánsson, Scheving’s counterpart. In the children’s TV series, he portrayed Robbie Rotten, an evil but endearing character who ended up being the most popular character in the show. His performances were marked by his expressive acting and physical comedy.

His impact transcended his character. In 2016, Stefánsson announced that he had cancer. A GoFundMe campaign was launched at international level to help cover his treatment. He bravely shared his battle with cancer, raising awareness and inspiring many. However, in 2018, he sadly passed away.

11. Baltasar Kormákur Baltasarsson

Baltasar Kormákur Baltasarsson is an actor and theatre, film, and television director. He is also known as Baltasar Kormákur Samper, using his father's surname, Spanish painter Baltasar Samper.

His work often explores complex human emotions and relationships, combining them with astonishing Icelandic landscapes. His 2012 film “The Deep,” which is based on a true story about a fisherman’s survival in the freezing Atlantic Ocean, received numerous awards and was also selected as Iceland’s entry for the Academy Awards that year.

Baltasarsson is also the creator and showrunner of the internationally famous TV series “Trapped”(Ófærð in Icelandic), a crime drama set in Iceland that has been broadcast by many international channels. He is also a cultural ambassador for the country.

12. Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir

This musician and actress, who is very famous in Iceland, is famous at international level mainly for her artistic alter ego, Silvia Night. This controversial character was created by Erlendsdóttir and Gaukur Úlfarsson, trying to embody some of the worst elements of modern society, with a sharp narcissistic personality.

This parody persona became very popular in Iceland, and she had her own comedy show on television. She even represented Iceland in the 2006 Eurovision Contest, where her controversial performance drew international attention. Many fans were outraged by her antics and statements, as most were not aware that Silvia Nigh was a parody character.

However, Ágústa Eva Erlendsdóttir is much more than just Silvia Night. She is a very talented singer and was the lead vocalist in the bands Kritikal Mazza and Ske. She is also a famous actress in Iceland, with a long career in movies and television. She is the voice of Elsa in the Icelandic version of “Frozen” and “Frozen II.”

13. Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson

Perhaps the name does not ring a bell at first, but he was important in many people’s lives. This author, entrepreneur, and businessman was a key figure in the founding of Sony Interactive Entertainment, where he played a crucial role in the development of the PlayStation, one of the most important consoles in video gaming history. He is also the former vice president of Time Warner.

But he is much more than that. He studied physics and is a very famous writer in Iceland. Some of his most notable books, which have been translated into more than 20 languages, are “The Journey Home”, “Absolution”, and “Walking into the Night.” He has also won the O. Henry Award and the Icelandic Literary Award.

14. Sjón

Sigurjón Birgir Sigurðsson is a poet, novelist, screenwriter, and lyricist. He is known as simply Sjón, which is an abbreviation of his first name and also means ‘sight’ in Icelandic.

Sjón has played an important part in Iceland’s music scene, especially through regular collaborations with Björk, for whom he has written several lyrics. In fact, they were both nominated to the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards in 2001 in the category Best Original Song. They wrote together the song “I’ve Seen It All” for the movie “Dancer in the Dark.”

This multifaceted artist has also written several screenplays, such as the Icelandic horror film “Lamb” or the epic historical thriller “The Northman”. His works have been translated into more than 30 languages.

15. Of Monsters and Men

Of Monsters and Men are an indie rock band formed in 2010. The band was born when they won the Músiktilraunir, an annual battle of the bands that is very popular in Iceland. This led to the band releasing their first EP, called “Into the Woods.”

In 2011, the band released their first studio album, “My Head is an Animal.” The album became a huge success in their home country, reaching number one on the list. It also reached the top place in Ireland and Australia, number 6 in the US Billboard 200, and number three in the UK. It was ranked in the top 10 in many other European countries.

The band’s music is characterized by its rich harmonies and dynamic instrumentation. Their sound is a unique mix of folk melodies and pop rhythms. Their song “Little Talks” became incredibly popular. You know it, even if you didnt know it's theirs.

16. Anita Briem

Born and raised in Reykjavik, Anita Briem is one of the most famous actresses in Iceland. She has also made a name for herself in Hollywood, with some roles in international productions.

Her most famous role internationally is her portrayal of Jane Seymour, Henry VIII’s third wife, in the TV series The Tudors. Her captivating performance brought her a lot of attention, and she became one of the favorite characters of the show's fans.

Briem has also starred in several films, including "Journey to the Center of the Earth" alongside Brendan Fraser. In the film, she played the adventurous and smart guide, Hannah Ásgeirsson. Other famous works of hers are “Dylan Dog: Dead of Night” and “Elevator.”

17. Ólafur Stefánsson

Handball is probably the most popular sport in Iceland, and despite the country’s modest population—roughly 380,000 inhabitants—the handball national team has always been one of the strongest on the planet.

And if someone can represent Icelandic handball, that’s Ólafur Stefánsson. He was the national team’s captain for many years before his international retirement after the London 2012 Olympics. At his peak, he was considered one of the best players in the world. In fact, he’s the third player in history with the most goals for their country. Under his captaincy, Iceland won the silver medal in the 2008 Olympic Games.

At club level, Stefánsson’s career was incredibly successful. He won the Icelandic league five times with Valur Reykjavík, the German league with SC Magdeburg, the Spanish league four times with BM Ciudad Real, and the Danish league with AG København. He also won the EHF Champions League four times: once with SC Magdeburg and three times with BM Ciudad Real.

18. Arnaldur Indriðason

Nordic crime fiction is one of the most prolific genres in literature nowadays. And, in Iceland, nobody does it like Arnaldur Indriðason. If you have ever read a crime novel set in Iceland, there’s a high chance that it was one of his famous works.

He’s one of Iceland’s most famous authors, and his books have captivated readers worldwide. His novels have been translated into 37 different languages and have sold more than 7 million copies all over the planet.

His most famous creation is Detective Erlendur Sveinsson, a cop who stars in many of Indriðason’s novels.