Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (born 3 March 1973) 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, Monsters, Inc., Shark Tale, Madagascar, 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, Monsters, Inc., Shark Tale, Madagascar, 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 (born in 2010 and 2014).
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.
Selected filmography
Film + Year Title Role Notes2000FíaskóGulli101 ReykjavíkMarri2002True Love (Once Removed)WaitressShort2005Beowulf & GrendelUnferth2006Thicker than WaterBörkurChildrenMarinó2007ParentsMarinó2008White Night WeddingSjonniCountry WeddingEgillReykjavík-RotterdamElvar2010UndercurrentSævar2011StormlandBöddi – Böðvar Steingrímsson2012ContrabandOlafThe DeepGulli2013The Secret Life of Walter MittyHelicopter pilot2014A Walk Among the TombstonesJonas Loogan2015The Last Witch HunterBelial2016Zoolander 2Hasidic manThe BFGthe MaidmasherThe White KingPickaxe2018The Spy Who Dumped MeFinnish backpackerThe MegThe WallLet Me FallViðskiptavinurThe VanishingBoorFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of GrindelwaldSkender2019How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden WorldRagnar the RockVoice roleMurder MysterySergeiEnd of SentenceOfficer Stone2020Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire SagaNeils Brongus2023Operation NapoleonEinar 2026 Wildwood Seamus Voice role2027TBAPost-productionDrago BludvistFilming
Television + Year Title Role Notes2006The EagleComputer thief1 episode20091066 The Battle for Middle EarthGyrd1 episodeFangavaktinLoðfíllinn7 episodes2014BansheeJonah Lambrecht2 episodesTrue DetectiveDewall1 episodeBanshee OriginsJonah Lambrecht1 episode2015–21TrappedAndri Ólafsson21 episodes2016The MissingStefan Andersen4 episodesQuarryCredence Mason4 episodes2016–17Lady DynamiteScott Marvel Cassidy13 episodes2017Emerald CityOjo7 episodes2018Hilda13 episodes2019The WidowAriel Helgason8 episodesNew AmsterdamBurl1 episodeThe Dark Crystal: Age of ResistanceThe Archer (voice)6 episodes2019-2020NOS4A2Bing Partridge20 episodes2020CursedRugen the Leper King1 episodeThe MinisterBenedikt Ríkharðsson8 episodes2021VegferðÓlafur Darri6 episodes2022The Amazing Race 34Himself1 episode2022–24The TouristBilly Nixon6 episodesMonster HighFoxford (voice)Recurring role2023Boat StoryNarrator6 episodes2023–25KiffCentaur Claus (voice)2 episodes2024Twilight of the GodsTiwaz (voice)5 episodesSomebody SomewhereVíglundur 'Iceland' HjartarsonSeason 3La PalmaHaukur3 episodes2025SeveranceMr. DrummondRecurring role; 6 episodes (season 2)Nine Bodies in a Mexican MorgueTravis DaviesMain roleYour Friends & NeighborsChristian Tómasson3 episodesJónasLead roleUpcoming seriesThorUpcoming series
Video games + Year Title Role Notes2017For HonorHighlanderVoice role2023The Last WorkerKurtVoice role
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result2006Edda Awards Screenplay of the Year (with Gísli Örn Garðarsson, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir & Ragnar Bragason) Children Actor of the Year Children 2007 Edda Awards Best Film (with Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Víkingur Kristjánsson, Gísli Örn Garðarsson, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir & Ragnar Bragason) Parents Nordic Council Film Prize Children 2010 Edda Awards Supporting Actor of the Year The Prison Shift 2011Edda Awards Actor of the Year Stormland Screenplay of the Year (with Ottó Geir Borg, Víkingur Kristjánsson Ólafur Egilsson, Gísli Örn Garðarsson, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir & Árni Ólafur Ásgeirsson) Undercurrent 2013 Edda Awards Actor of the Year The Deep Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Best Actor Award XL 2014 Edda Awards Actor of the Year XL 2021 Edda Awards Actor of the Year The Minister 2022 Edda Awards Actor of the Year Vegferð 2023 Edda Awards Supporting Actor of the Year Operation Napoleon 2024 Nordic Council Film Prize Best Film (with Baltasar Kormákur & Agnes Johansen) Touch
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