Magnús Scheving
Encyclopedia
Magnús Örn Eyjólfsson Scheving was born 10 November 1964 to Þórveig Hjartardóttir and Eyjólfur Magnússon Scheving. He is an Iceland
ic writer, producer
, entrepreneur, and a famous athlete. He is the creator and co-star of the children's television show LazyTown
.
and a healthy lifestyle to children. He is also creator of the show LazyTown
(Latibær in Iceland), where he plays Sportacus
(known as Íþróttaálfurinn in Icelandic
).
In 2006, Scheving received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Icelandic Edda Award
ceremonies for his work as founder and creator of the LazyTown
franchise. The President of Iceland
presented the award to him.
Scheving starred in the 2010 film The Spy Next Door
.
. Scheving and Ragnheiður have two children. Scheving has another daughter from a previous relationship. He has two grandchildren. Scheving's birth name was Eyjólfsson but he later chose to adopt his grandfather's last name, Scheving. He has a younger brother and an older sister. Scheving currently resides in Seltjarnarnes
, Reykjavík
with his wife and two children. Scheving grew up in the small town of Borgarnes
in Iceland. At 5 years old he had his first job as a telephone exchange messenger boy for Borgarnes. In his 20s, he made a bet with a friend, Fjölnir Þorgeirsson (an Icelandic snooker champion), to master a particular sport in three years. Scheving chose snooker for Fjölnir and Fjölnir chose aerobics for Scheving. Scheving won that bet.
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ic writer, producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
, entrepreneur, and a famous athlete. He is the creator and co-star of the children's television show LazyTown
LazyTown
LazyTown is a children's television program that was produced in Iceland with a cast and crew from Iceland, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was created by Magnús Scheving, a gymnastics champion and CEO of LazyTown Entertainment, who also stars in the show...
.
Career
In 1992 he became the Icelandic Men's Individual Champion in aerobic gymnastics. In 1993, he became the Scandinavian champion, and was the European champion twice in 1994 and 1995. He was voted Athlete of the Year in Iceland in 1994. He is the CEO, creator, and co-founder of LazyTown Entertainment. This company produces books, videos, games, and sporting goods to help promote fitnessPhysical fitness
Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...
and a healthy lifestyle to children. He is also creator of the show LazyTown
LazyTown
LazyTown is a children's television program that was produced in Iceland with a cast and crew from Iceland, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was created by Magnús Scheving, a gymnastics champion and CEO of LazyTown Entertainment, who also stars in the show...
(Latibær in Iceland), where he plays Sportacus
Sportacus
Sportacus is a fictional character from the children's television show LazyTown. He is the main protagonist of the show. His name is a portmanteau of the ancient figure Spartacus and the word sport which represents his athleticism...
(known as Íþróttaálfurinn in Icelandic
Icelandic language
Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...
).
In 2006, Scheving received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Icelandic Edda Award
Edda Award
The Edda Award is an accolade bestowed by The Icelandic Film and Television Academy , and is the most prominent film and television award in Iceland...
ceremonies for his work as founder and creator of the LazyTown
LazyTown
LazyTown is a children's television program that was produced in Iceland with a cast and crew from Iceland, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was created by Magnús Scheving, a gymnastics champion and CEO of LazyTown Entertainment, who also stars in the show...
franchise. The President of Iceland
President of Iceland
The President of Iceland is Iceland's elected head of state. The president is elected to a four-year term by universal adult suffrage and has limited powers. The president is not the head of government; the Prime Minister of Iceland is the head of government. There have been five presidents since...
presented the award to him.
Scheving starred in the 2010 film The Spy Next Door
The Spy Next Door
The Spy Next Door is a 2010 American spy comedy family film starring Jackie Chan, Amber Valletta, Billy Ray Cyrus and George Lopez. Filming started in late October in New Mexico and was finished in late December 2008. The film was released on January 15, 2010 in the United States. The film was...
.
Personal life
He is married to Ragnheiður MelsteðRagnheiður Melsteð
Ragnheiður Pétursdóttir Melsteð is the executive producer and co-founder of LazyTown Entertainment.Ragnheiður was born to Valgerður Hanna and Pétur Melsteð, who was a known hairdresser in Iceland and was in charge of a magazine called Hár og fegurð for 25 years.She has dark brown hair, green eyes...
. Scheving and Ragnheiður have two children. Scheving has another daughter from a previous relationship. He has two grandchildren. Scheving's birth name was Eyjólfsson but he later chose to adopt his grandfather's last name, Scheving. He has a younger brother and an older sister. Scheving currently resides in Seltjarnarnes
Seltjarnarnes
Seltjarnarnes is an Icelandic township located within the Greater Reykjavík area.It took on its current political form shortly after the Second World War and was formally created as a township in 1947. It is the smallest Icelandic township by land ....
, Reykjavík
Greater Reykjavík Area
The Greater Reykjavík Area is a name used collectively for Reykjavík and seven municipalities around it.. The area is the largest urban area in Iceland. Each municipality has its independent elected council. With a population of 200,852, the Greater Reykjavík Area comprises over 60% of the...
with his wife and two children. Scheving grew up in the small town of Borgarnes
Borgarnes
Borgarnes is a town located on a peninsula at the shore of Borgarfjörður in Iceland.It has a population of 1,763 . The town is located 60 km north of the capital Reykjavík and is connected to other places in Iceland through the second largest bridge in Iceland, Borgarfjarðarbrú...
in Iceland. At 5 years old he had his first job as a telephone exchange messenger boy for Borgarnes. In his 20s, he made a bet with a friend, Fjölnir Þorgeirsson (an Icelandic snooker champion), to master a particular sport in three years. Scheving chose snooker for Fjölnir and Fjölnir chose aerobics for Scheving. Scheving won that bet.
External links
- Magnus Scheving Lazytown Interview (2008)
- Dad in profile – Magnus Scheving – aka Sportacus from LazyTown (July 2008)
- "Mr Motivator" Times Online article on Magnús Scheving (November 4, 2006)
- Magnús Scheving Official Site