Interview with Einar Haraldsson by Christos Arfanis
My name is Einar Haraldsson born July 9 1955 in Iceland. Mother is Danish and father Icelandic. I have 4 siblings. In 1974 I started in the Police Academy in Iceland and finished in 1976. Was in the Police Force (1974–1993). Was Secretary General for the International Police Association (IPA) Iceland Section (1976–1982). While I was the Secretary I travelled worldwide to meet some of my colleagues. I was at the Los Angeles Police Department for 6 weeks (1977). There I met some Officers who were also Bodyguards for some Celebrities. We visited some of them in Beverly Hills. These Celebrities told me that I have something in me that I should share with others and start to be an Actor. I just laughed and said well perhaps I should. While I was Secretary I was also a Bodyguard. After I quit the Force I got the opportunity to be a Bodyguard for famously Celebrity Sandra Bullock. I worked for her for 10 years. After that I moved back to Iceland. I took some classes in Acting for Film and Television. I have been doing this since 2019 full time. I have been working in the film and television industry in Iceland. I love to be in front of the Camera and be wise. I have been in a few movies and tv series in Iceland and have also been in Two movies in the States (Ride the Wanted trail and Copperhead Creek western). My dear friend who is the Director invited me to be one of the Characters in those films. I have been in a movie called “No Time to Think” Angelo Borer Action/Thriller movie (Swiss made). I also have a few other movies to work on such as ( The Lost Ship) Filmed in India-USA-Germany. (Johnny in London filmed in UK-India and Morocco. Then a few others are at my table. I got an award in Munich, Germany, for my role in the Angelo Borer action/thriller movie “ No Time to Think “ as a Best Actor 2024: Munich Hall of Honour 2024.The Film Festival is “Munich Hall of Honour”.
Christos Arfanis: Can you tell us about your early life in Iceland and how your multicultural background influenced you?
Einar Haraldsson: Well I was born in Reykjavik Iceland. My mother was Danish and my father was Icelandic. When I was about 6–7 years old I told my parents that I wanted to be a firefighter or Policeman. Since then I always had a strong sense for theses characters. We lived a quiet life. I graduate as a furniture maker and when I reached 19 years I send my application to Police Academy and I got in. That was 1974. Year 1976 I graduated as a Police Officer and stayed there until 1993.
Christos Arfanis: What inspired you to join the Police Academy in 1974, and what were some of the most memorable experiences during your time in the police force?
Einar Haraldsson: What inspired me most to join the Police Academy was How I can help people and protect. While I was in the Force I had a lots of experiences which I didn’t believe it was true. When I was in the Police Force we did not have many murders in Iceland. Most memorable experiences while I was in the Police Force was when meeting of Present Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in Reykjavik.
Christos Arfanis: How did your experience as Secretary General for the International Police Association shape your worldview and career?
Einar Haraldsson: While I was in the Police Force. I was a Secretary for International Police Association (IPA). I had the opportunity to travel worldwide to see how other Police Forces are doing and working. I went to fx Georgia (former USSR). Germany. Italy. Spain. UK. Sweden. Norway USA. By visiting these countries was the most experience of my life. In USA I spent a 6 weeks with LAPD and I was put into a shifts with my colleagues. Most of them were Bodyguards in their free times for Celebrities who lived in Beverly Hills areas. I had the opportunity to meet many of them in person at their homes. This was a very interesting experience.
Christos Arfanis: What was it like meeting celebrities in Beverly Hills, and did their encouragement influence your decision to pursue acting?
Einar Haraldsson: I had the opportunity to go with my colleagues after shifts to Beverly Hills and meet some of the Celebrities who they worked for. I met fx Elton John. Sandra Bullock. Clint Eastwood and many others. After long talk with Sandra Bullock she encouraged me to take some acting classes and get into the industry of Acting. She even asked me to join her Bodyguard Team. I accepted that and we were a great friends. She was and still is a fantastic person I have met there is before I met my wife. I stayed with Sandra Bullock for 10 years until she met Jessie James after that I quit. Moved to Iceland.
Christos Arfanis: Can you share more about your time as a bodyguard for Sandra Bullock and how that experience impacted your life and career?
Einar Haraldsson: Working with this amazing woman Sandra Bullock was a Greatest thing in my lifetime. She gave me lots of her time and I told her about my country. She was the one who encouraged me to go into the Acting Industry. She said that I had so many wonderful things to share. I said to her that I would love to be an actor one day. I stay with Bullock for 10 years until she got married to Jessie James. Me and him did get along but she have been very supportive to me since.
Christos Arfanis: What motivated you to take acting classes and transition to a full-time acting career in 2019?
Einar Haraldsson: After I went on a pension I started to think if I am too old for getting into acting business. I saw in the newspaper that they were looking for a new student in acting classes so I applied and they accepted me in. When I came in I saw only young people there and I thought they would not accepted me as their own. These fantastic young people told me that I was more than welcome into their classes. After few days I found myself in this career. It was a Great opportunity for me and I never regretted that. Now today acting is my Passion and I love it and I love to be front of the camera. To meet a fantastic people both actors/actresses- Directors. Extras and Crew Members. In Iceland we are proud of those people in the industry. They are Highly Respected and Professional from A-Z
Christos Arfanis: Can you describe your experience working in the Icelandic film and television industry?
Einar Haraldsson: My experience to work in Icelandic Film and Television industries is that there are so many High Professionals working there. That’s why many of the Big foreign Movies and TV series are filmed here in Iceland. We have the Best view for filming and Best Team behind the scenes and Camera I admire them all and they are the Best.
Christos Arfanis: What was it like working on international projects such as “Ride the Wanted Trail” and “Copperhead Creek”?
Einar Haraldsson: When my great friend Rick Groat Director contacted me and asked me if I were interested to be a part of his movie called “Ride the Wanted Trail” and “Copperhead Creek” I was quick to say Yes. There I met so many amazing people who were in this movie. Filming took place up in the Mountains. After these filming I was definitely in the right place of work. First I was afraid to sit on the horses because these horses were much bigger than Icelandic horses but I survived.
Christos Arfanis: How did it feel to receive the Best Actor award at the Munich Hall of Honour for your role in “No Time to Think”?
Einar Haraldsson: When my Greatest friend Angelo Borer actor/producer in Switzerland asked me to join the cast members in his new Action/Thriller movie “No Time to Think “. I said sure. This was the first Swiss made action movie. I stayed in Switzerland for 12 days in Basel and Adelboden. Actors were from Switzerland. Germany. USA and me from Iceland. From USA came Cynthia Rothrock. It was great Team. Director was Daniel Vossen. We came a great friends. When I got a message from Munich Hall of Honour to come to Munich because I have chosen for the “ Best Actor 2024”. I was very surprised. I went there to receive the award and it was so much great. This movie is worth to see.
Christos Arfanis: Can you tell us about some of the upcoming projects you are excited about, such as “The Lost Ship” and “Johnny in London”?
Einar Haraldsson: My upcoming Project are: The Lost Ship ( will be filmed in India. Germany. USA. I am not going to tell anything about it. I am in there as a “Most memorable person in the movie. I am a character “Cook”. Then it’s the “Johnny in London” there I am a Professor. (Movie filmed in London. Morocco and India). American TV serie “ Kill Devil Hills” There I am a Russian character “bad person”. More movies to come which I can not tell about at this moment.
Christos Arfanis: What advice would you give to someone looking to transition from a completely different career into acting?
Einar Haraldsson: To make sure that the person is doing the right thing. If this is really the industry that he or she wants to work in. Have an Agent which is very important. Go to some Classes in Acting and see if you can find your self in that. Stay strong. Never give up. Have a Goal which you are going to reach.
Christos Arfanis: How do you balance your personal life with your professional commitments, especially given your diverse career background?
Einar Haraldsson: I am so proud and grateful to have a wonderful wife who understands what I am doing and I have her support in every aspect. Of course I have to travel worldwide and I try to take my wife with me when she have time. We have grown up kids and she have her own job to do Mutually Supportive and understanding. That is most important. When I am on the Film Set I always go into the character and afterwards I step back out.
Christos Arfanis: Looking back, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned throughout your varied career?
Einar Haraldsson: The key lesson is to be yourself at all times. I learned that. I am the same person now and before. I have my friends and family I don’t change even though I am an Actor. When I was younger and in the Police Force I don’t change. I am the same person through out my career. I learned to be a good person as I always have been. Love and cherish.
Christos Arfanis: What do you enjoy most about being in front of the camera and bringing characters to life?
Einar Haraldsson: To do my best in the process. Before I start to be front of the cameras I have studied the character I am supposed be in. Read the script carefully. To step into some character is not an easy thing. I have been in a few different characters but One character I never been in is A Police Officer or Detective. I am hoping that some day I will be able to see my self in that character. Then I am home 🤣🤣🤣🤣👌.
About the author:
Christos Arfanis was born on 26 February 1996 in Athens, Greece. He is a Greek filmmaker (film producer, screenwriter, film director), entertainment author/journalist, and music producer. He has extensive experience in writing articles about audiovisual media (movies and series) and interviewing various talents (actors, directors, etc.).
