Tha award was instituted by the association of drama critics of the Reykjavík newspapers, who numbered half a dozen at the time, upon its foundation in March 1954.
[1][2] The recipient was chosen by a vote based on total points for the year's performances, which led to some admired actors never achieving it.
[3] Three recipients won it twice: Valur Gíslason, Þorsteinn Ö. Stephensen [is] and Róbert Arnfinnsson [is].
[3] The 1973 Silver Lamp was to have been awarded to Baldvin Halldórsson [is] for his performance in supporting roles in productions including Cabaret, but he refused it, reading a prepared statement.
The chairman of the association, Þorvarður Helgason, the drama critic for Morgunblaðið, announced in response that the award would no longer be given.