His Icelandic parents, Gudni Johannesson and Bryndís Sverrisdóttir, were studying in Lund, Sweden, at the time of his birth. Two years later his parents received their degrees, and the family moved back to Reykjavik.
I had an early goal that was just to be an actor, and then I dreamt of a larger context and I have achieved that too. But I haven't yet finished with that dream, so I am keeping that bit to myself, so that the opportunity can be taken if it arises.