Ólafur Darri Ólafsson
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson is an Icelandic and American actor, screenwriter, and producer, known for his roles in films such as Children, The Deep, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, in addition to television series such as Fangavaktin, Trapped, NOS4A2, Lady Dynamite, and Severance. He has also provided the Icelandic voice of characters in animated films such as Ice Age, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and Kung Fu Panda.
Early life and education
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson was born in the US state of Connecticut on 3 March 1973, the son of Icelandic parents. His mother is a nurse, and his father was studying medicine in Connecticut at the time of his birth, thus granting Ólafur both Icelandic and American citizenship. He returned to Iceland with his parents when he was about four years old.Ólafur grew up in Reykjavík, where he was educated at Reykjavík Junior College. He has admitted that he did not initially enjoy the change from the US to Iceland. When he was first sent to play outside, he instead stood still and cried until he was taken home. He also struggled to develop a sense of independence as a child, with his mother taking a job as the nurse at his school so that he would agree to attend.
He graduated from the Icelandic Drama School in 1998.
Career
Ólafur became involved in numerous productions with the National Theatre of Iceland and Reykjavík City Theatre, in addition to various independent theatre groups. He co-founded the Vesturport theatre company in Reykjavík.Ólafur is perhaps best known internationally for his role as Andri, Seyðisfjörður's chief of police, in the series Trapped. Series creator Baltasar Kormákur has said that Ólafur was chosen because he was not a typical leading man. Ólafur said that he based the character on his own father. The Guardian called his performance "as remarkable as the landscape".
In 2016, Ólafur appeared in the music video for "Winter Sound" by Of Monsters and Men.
In 2019, Ólafur was cast as Bing Partridge in the AMC series NOS4A2.
Ólafur has also provided the Icelandic voice of various characters in animated films such as Ice Age, Lilo & Stitch, Brother Bear, and Kung Fu Panda.
In January 2026, he was cast as the Norse god Thor in the upcoming live-action adaptation of the two Norse mythology-based video games in the God of War series.
Personal life
Ólafur is in a relationship with Icelandic dancer Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, with whom he has two daughters.Noted for his private nature, Ólafur has said that he struggles with public attention and prefers to watch films and cook for friends at home.