Ómar Ragnarsson


Ómar Þorfinnur Ragnarsson is an Icelandic media personality and activist for nature and environment, as well as a former entertainer and rally driver.
Ómar began acting on stage at the age of 12 and started his career as a stand-up comedian when he was 18. He has written a considerable number of songs and lyrics, performed by him or other Icelandic pop artists.
Ómar studied law and has been a professional aviator and pilot since 1967. He worked as a TV reporter for RUV Channel 1 from 1969–1988, for TV Channel 2 from 1988–1995, and again for RUV from 1995. Later he started his own film production, mainly on nature and environmental issues in Iceland, Norway and the USA. He has also written 10 books in Iceland.
Ómar Ragnarsson turned activist for Icelandic nature and in September 2006, he led a against the controversial Kárahnjúkar Hydropower Plant. This led to the foundation of the environmentalist party Iceland's Movement – Living Land which took part in the 2007 parliamentary elections, chaired by Ómar Ragnarsson.

Recognition

Ómar was picked as man of the year in 2006 by Stöð 2 in Iceland and by Rás 2 in 2003 and 2006, for his fight for Icelandic nature. He also received 4 Edda-Awards from 2003 to 2006.
On his 70th birthday, the Icelandic Government as "Icelandic Nature Day", in honour of Ómar Ragnarsson.

Rally

Ómar competed in rally-driving from 1975 to 1985, together with his brother Jón Ragnarsson, where he won 18 titles, including 4-times champions of Iceland.

Popular Culture

Popular Icelandic rapper Emmsjé Gauti released a single in 2015 titled "Ómar Ragnarsson". It is track #3 on his 2016 album, Vagg & Velta. The artist has said of the song, "The song is named after Ómar Ragnarsson because he’s always in a good mood like me."

Personal life

With his wife Helga Jóhannsdóttir, Ómar is the father of seven, including media personalities Lára Ómarsdóttir and Þorfinnur Ómarsson.