# List of people from Reykjavík

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

* 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 (1938–2021), writer
* Ragnar Stefánsson (1938–2024), seismologist and Professor of the University of Akureyri
* Atli Heimir Sveinsson (1938–2019), composer

#### 1941–1950

* 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

* 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-songwriter
* Helgi Ólafsson (born 1956), chess grandmaster
* Halldór Guðmundsson (born 1956), author
* Ragnheiður Bragadóttir (born 1956), law professor
* 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

* 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), 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 host, producer and writer
* Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1970), politician
* Gerður Kristný (born 1970), poet
* Anna Mjöll (born 1970), jazz singer-songwriter
* Paul Oscar (born 1970), pop singer-songwriter and disc jockey

#### 1971–1975

* 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

* 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 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

* 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

* 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

* 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