Ólafur Darri Ólafsson
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson | |
|---|---|
 Ólafur in 2019 | |
| Born | 3 March 1973 Connecticut, U.S. |
| Citizenship |
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| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | |
| Partner | Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir |
| Children | 2 |
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (born 3 March 1973) is an Icelandic-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
Ólafur Darri Ólafsson was born in Connecticut on 3 March 1973,[1] the son of Icelandic parents.[1] His mother is a nurse, and his father was studying medicine in Connecticut at the time of his birth,[2] thus granting Ólafur both Icelandic and American citizenship.[2] He returned to Iceland with his parents when he was around four years old.[2][3][4] He grew up in Reykjavík, where he was educated at Reykjavík Junior College.[1] He has admitted that he did not initially enjoy the change from the U.S. to Iceland. When he was first sent to play outside, he instead stood still and cried until he was taken home.[1] He also struggled to develop a sense of independence as a child, with his mother taking a job as the school nurse at his school so that he would agree to attend.[1] He graduated from the Icelandic Drama School in 1998.[1]
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.[5]
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.[3] The Guardian called his performance "as remarkable as the landscape".[3]
In 2016, Ólafur appeared in the music video for "Winter Sound" by Of Monsters and Men.[6]
In 2019, Ólafur was cast as Bing Partridge in the AMC series NOS4A2.[7]
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.[8]
Personal life
Ólafur is in a relationship with Icelandic dancer Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, with whom he has two daughters (born in 2010 and 2014).[9]
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.[1]
Selected filmography
Film
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Eagle | Computer thief | 1 episode |
| 2009 | 1066 The Battle for Middle Earth | Gyrd | 1 episode |
| Fangavaktin | Loðfíllinn | 7 episodes | |
| 2014 | Banshee | Jonah Lambrecht | 2 episodes |
| True Detective | Dewall | 1 episode | |
| Banshee Origins | Jonah Lambrecht | 1 episode | |
| 2015–21 | Trapped | Andri Ólafsson | 21 episodes |
| 2016 | The Missing | Stefan Andersen | 4 episodes |
| Quarry | Credence Mason | 4 episodes | |
| 2016–17 | Lady Dynamite | Scott Marvel Cassidy | 13 episodes |
| 2017 | Emerald City | Ojo[12] | 7 episodes |
| 2018 | Hilda | 13 episodes | |
| 2019 | The Widow | Ariel Helgason | 8 episodes |
| New Amsterdam | Burl | 1 episode | |
| NOS4A2 | Bing Partridge | 20 episodes | |
| The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance | The Archer (voice) | 6 episodes | |
| 2020 | Cursed | Rugen the Leper King | 1 episode |
| The Minister | Benedikt Ríkharðsson | 8 episodes | |
| 2021 | Vegferð | Ólafur Darri | 6 episodes |
| 2022 | The Amazing Race 34 | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2022–24 | The Tourist | Billy Nixon | 6 episodes |
| 2023 | Boat Story | Narrator | 6 episodes |
| 2024 | Twilight of the Gods | Tiwaz | 5 episodes |
| 2024 | Somebody Somewhere | Víglundur 'Iceland' Hjartarson | Season 3 |
| 2024 | La Palma | Haukur | 3 episodes |
| 2025 | Severance | Mr. Drummond | Season 2 |
| TBA | Reykjavik Fusion | Jónas | Lead role |
Video games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | For Honor | Highlander[13] | Voice role |
| 2023 | The Last Worker | Kurt[14] | Voice role |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Edda Awards | Screenplay of the Year (with Gísli Örn Garðarsson, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir & Ragnar Bragason) | Children | Won |
| Actor of the Year | Children | Nominated | ||
| 2007 | Edda Awards | Best Film (with Nanna Kristín Magnúsdóttir, Ingvar Sigurdsson, Víkingur Kristjánsson, Gísli Örn Garðarsson, Nína Dögg Filippusdóttir & Ragnar Bragason) | Parents | Won |
| Nordic Council Film Prize | — | Children | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Edda Awards | Supporting Actor of the Year | The Prison Shift | Nominated |
| 2011 | Edda Awards | Actor of the Year | Stormland | Won |
| 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 | Nominated | ||
| 2013 | Edda Awards | Actor of the Year | The Deep | Won |
| Karlovy Vary International Film Festival | Best Actor Award | XL | Won | |
| 2014 | Edda Awards | Actor of the Year | XL | Nominated |
| 2021 | Edda Awards | Actor of the Year | The Minister | Won |
| 2022 | Edda Awards | Actor of the Year | Vegferð | Nominated |
| 2023 | Edda Awards | Supporting Actor of the Year | Operation Napoleon | Nominated |
| 2024 | Nordic Council Film Prize | Best Film (with Baltasar Kormákur & Agnes Johansen) | Touch | Nominated |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Friðrika Benónýsdóttir (18 December 2015). "Mömmustrákur með hjarta úr gulli". Fréttatíminn. p. 14. Retrieved 24 April 2023 – via Tímarit.is.
- ^ a b c Indíana Ása Hreinsdóttir (28 September 2012). "Ólafur Darri fílar ekki frægðina". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). pp. 34–35. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ a b c Seymour, Tom (24 February 2016). "He's huge, he's hairy – and he's the hottest man in Iceland". The Guardian. London, UK. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Gunnar Leó Pálsson (16 December 2013). "Súrrealískt að vinna með Ben Stiller". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ "Ólafur Darri Ólafsson". Vesturport.com. 20 September 2010. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ OfMonstersAndMenVEVO (10 June 2016). "Of Monsters And Men - Winter Sound (Lyric Video)". YouTube. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (27 June 2018). "'NOS4A2': Olafur Darri Olafsson, Virginia Kull & Ebon Moss-Bachrach Cast In AMC Horror Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 31 October 2018.
- ^ "Olafur Darri Olafsson BTVA".
- ^ Jónasdóttir, Marta María (7 August 2014). "Ólafur Darri og Lovísa eignuðust dóttur" [Ólafur Darri and Lovísa welcome a daughter]. Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). Reykjavík. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Fleming, Mike (27 September 2012). "APA Signs 'The Deep' Star Olafur Darri Olafsson". Deadline. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Gallagher, Brian (6 August 2014). "'Last Witch Hunter' Adds 'True Detective' Actor Olafur Darri Olafsson". MovieWeb. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ "Emerald City (2016) Full Cast & Crew". IMDb. Retrieved 21 October 2018.
- ^ Q&A Interview with the Voice of Highlander, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, retrieved 5 November 2021
- ^ Romano, Sal (2 March 2023). "The Last Worker launches March 30". Gematsu. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
External links
- Ólafur Darri Ólafsson at Behind The Voice Actors
- Ólafur Darri Ólafsson at IMDb
