Ómar Ragnarsson

Ómar Þorfinnur Ragnarsson (born 16 September 1940) is an Icelandic environmental activist and former entertainer, news reporter and rally driver. Born in Reykjavík, 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 protest walk 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.