From an early age Joi knew he was going to be an actor. Since he first was allowed to a rehearsal at a local theater company with his sister he decided to become an actor. It was not long until he was playing lead roles in plays in school and at different theater groups in Iceland.
His father was a freight sailor so from young age Joi travelled the world and soaked in languages and cultures.
Joi made his professional acting debut in 1986 in an international TV mini series called Nonni and Manni. The series was an instant success in Europe. Talented international cast such as Stuart Wilson and Lisa Harrow set a standard that Joi has fought to maintain ever since.
After being a leading actor in several amateur theatre companies in Iceland, Joi left to study acting in the USA. On full scholarship Joi soaked up knowledge and experience through his teachers and curriculum. Joi became a leading actor in collage and graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Hartford, Connecticut in 1994 with a B.A degree in Theatre and Cinematic Arts.
Since then he has appeared in over 40 international films and TV productions. The most recent being Fortitude 2 (UK) where he joins an international cast lead by Dennis Quaid. Other major roles/productions include Clint Eastwoods Flag of Our Fathers (USA) and a lead in Baltasar Kormakurs (Everest, Two Guns) The Deep (Iceland) (Ten Edda Awards and garnered recognition by the Nordic Council, European Film Awards, the Göteborg Film Festival, Les Arcs European Film Festival, and the Mar del Plata Film Festival.) Joi also can be seen in a leading role in the TV mini series The Lava Field (Iceland), a big role in the Danish film The Shamer´s Daughter and lead opposite Franka Potente in the German films: Solveig Karlsdottir – The deaths of West Fjords and Death of the Elf Woman.
Joi is extremely good at languages and has a perfect American accent, British accent, he speaks German and the Scandinavian languages all except Finnish.
Joi has almost 50 theatre productions under his belt both in the USA and Iceland.
His credits include Leontes in A Winters Tale, Woof in Hair, Ginger in Jerusalem, Stanley in One Man, Two Guvnors, Man 1 in 39 Steps, Certified Male and many others. He can now be seen in Icelandic Sagas – The Greatest Hits.
Joi has hosted, produced and written over 200 TV episodes and 150 radioshows.
Next project will be a role in the TV series The Mayor (Iceland) shooting now. It is written and starred by Reykjaviks former mayor comedian Jon Gnarr.
Baltasar Kormakur, Director/Producer (The Deep, Everest, Two Guns, Trapped, Inhale):
“Joi was a natural choice for a role in the film. I decided to cast him in the lead role of Palli. The story, based on true events, involves the capsizing of a fishing boat in the brutal Icelandic seas. Of the crew of six, only three initially survive, including Joi’s character Palli. As one of three characters in the critical part of the plot following the ship’s loss, it was critical that I cast an actor versatile enough to accurately capture the rugged nature of the Icelandic fisherman and gain the sympathy of the audience. Joi exceeded my expectations in portraying Palli and his work was a critical part of the success of the film. The results speak for themselves: The Deep won ten Edda Awards and garnered recognition by the Nordic Council, European Film Awards, the Göteborg Film Festival, Les Arcs European Film Festival, and the Mar del Plata Film Festival.
Joi is undoubtedly among the most talented, successful actors in Iceland.”